Ocean
Explorers
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May 2006
Our Caribbean trip is getting close. I'm just about to frenetic kinetic preparation phase. We have a family vacation planned for the weekend before I leave for St. Kitts. Fortunately, the luggage and clothing each trip is largely separate so I can pack for each trip ahead of time, then move my shaving kit to the next set of luggage and head for the door. I've got most of my reading material together and this time I will not be reading anything so serious as Magister Ludi.
Summer is nearly upon us in earnest. Memorial Day marks the opening of summer travel season. Parking will get bad until Labor Day, and the beaches will get packed with lilly white tourists. The Rocks, Rips, and Reefs tours are the other sign of summer. Once again, there's a full schedule of programs. If you've never been on one, get yourself out there. I highly recommend the La Jolla Caves tour, but you'll learn important stuff at all of them.
This month's flight info: I don't know why this is true, but people seem to bring lots of carry-on luggage. Bussiness travellers are the worst, and with flights running very full, overhead storage space is routinely filled long before the seats are. This is a problem for us dive travellers who often transport our essential dive gear in our carry-ons. If you have one of the upgraded flyer cards, you'll board early and get first shot at the overhead. If you don't have preferred status, you can help yourself by getting a seat in the rear of the aircraft. They'll board you first and you'll get first shot at the overhead bins. Try to be nice and stow something under the seat.
Other good things to know: No more meals except in first class. Most airlines have snack boxes for sale on the plane. They range from decent to sketchy, and cost about $4. It's always better to bring your own food. Soft drinks and water are still free. They still have blankets, but pillows are gone. If you want one, bring your own.
Almost all the airports now have pretty good grab and go salads and sandwiches for under $10. Always bring a bottle of water with you. You need to drink roughly 8 oz/hour of flight time and airlines rarely give you that much to dirink. Dehydration puts you at risk for DCS. However, the cabin crew will always give you something to drink if you ask.
Longer flights generally have a movie. Bring your headphones, as the ones the airline sells you are pretty wretched albeit only a couple of bucks. If you're on American, the normal plug will work. Delta and maybe Northwest have bizzarre dual plugs. They used to sell a convertor with their headphones, but I don't think they do that any more. Convertors are usually available at Radio Shack or travel stores.
Time through security in San Diego can vary greatly. Allow a couple of hours if you're leaving at some popular time, like Friday evening or Monday morning. It gets really bad if there's a tour ship in port. Business travellers carry a lot of stuff into the cabin, but cruise shippers have no idea of protocol and take a very long time to get through security. Best to get there early and enjoy a pint or two in Karl Strauss.
Since we'll have a lot of people out of town for the next meeting, we're going to have a picnic on June 17th instead of the regular meeting. The club will bring burgers and hot dogs. You bring a side dish, and something to drink. We had a great time last year, and with a little luck, we'll have pictures from the St' Kitts excursion too.
Dive Safe,
Dave Ambrose
Congratulations to Paul Suwczinsky on passing his open water class.
Living History— Mary Lynn Price has a new iPod video cast on SEALAB II featuring SCRIPPS documentary footage. You'll need to install iTunes on your computer. It's free, and you don't need an iPod to make it useful. After you get iTunes installed, play this URL:
http://divefilm.com/podcasts/podcast.xml
Marine Aquariums 101 - Sometimes diving just isn't enough. An aquarium is a wonderful addition to any living apace. The Birch Aquarium is offering a class on how to set up marine aquariums. The class will be lead by Birch's Assistant Aquarium Curator, Fernando Nosratpour on Saturday May 20th 1:30-5:30 p.m. It will cost $35 for the general public, and $30 for aquarium members. For more information or to register, call (858) 534-7523. There will be at least one OES member there, so don't feel alone.
Nudibranch Book Signing — Nudibranch
Behavior Presentation and Booksigning by author David Behrens
Sunday, May 21: 6-8 p.m. in the Birch Aquarium
David Behrens is the author of the primary Nudibranch guide for the Pacific coast. He will be giving a talk and signing copies of his new book, Nudibranch Behavior. Beer and wine is available for purchase and the aquarium will provide light refreshments. Admission is free for Member of the aquarium or San Diego Council of divers. General admission is $8. Council membership is a bargain at $15. PleaseRSVP to 858/534-5771.
Green Flash Concert Series — KPRI FM and the Birch Aquarium are sponsoring an evening concert series at the aquarium. The dates are May 17th, June 21st (summer solstice), July 19th, August 16th, and September 20th. Beer, wine and food will be available from Rock Bottom Brewery. The first show will feature Left for Dead. We'll have more details as they become available.
Book Signing — David Helvarg, renowned author of "50 Ways to Save the Ocean and Blue Fronter: Dispatches from America's Ocean Wilderness" will make a special appearance and sign copies of his latest books during the fifth anniversary of Scripps's Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation. Helvarg will be joined by Scripps marine scientists on Wednesday May 3, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and reservations are required (858) 534-4109. The Birch Aquarium is located at 2300 Expedition Way in La Jolla.
SCUBA Show — Mark your calendars. SCUBA Show 2006 will be held June 24th and 25th in Long Beach. Looks like the all the usual activities; seminars, film festival, and exhibition. We'll do the carpool again this year. More information next month.
SCUBA Show 2006 is looking for top-quality amateur and semi-pro original short underwater video films to screen at its Continuous Underwater Film Festival. This is not a contest but those accepted will be paid an honorarium. Deadline is April 3, 2006. For complete guidelines visit online http://www.saintbrendan.com/filmguid.htm.
Dacor Regulator Trade-In Program - When Mares purchased Dacor in 1999, part of the plan was to consolidate production into their Italy factory in 2000. Once that move was completed, the former parts supplier to Dacor, knowing they would no longer be supplying parts, made the decision to destroy their molds. The result was that once Mares/Dacor's supply of parts ran out, regulators requiring these parts would no longer be able to be serviced.
Through September 30, 2006, Mares/Dacor is now offering an upgrade program to assist owners of any Dacor Regulators produced in the U.S. prior to 2000. Owners of qualifying regulators will have the opportunity to purchase one of the following four regulators at an "Upgrade Price":
Dispute Satisfactorily Resolved Between DAN & Sub-Aquatic Safety Services (SSS) - DAN and clinic members of the SSS Network have announced that they have reached a settlement in the recent legal action. Representatives of SSS announced that DAN America insurance is once again accepted as a result of the resolution. The terms of the settlement remain confidential. (www.diversalertnetwork.org)
San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition - The 7th Annual San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition is being held October 20-21 2006 at the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park. If you are interested in exhibiting your work in a public arena, this may be your opportunity.
Every year, the San Diego Council of Divers and the San Diego City Lifeguards sponsor a series of in-the-water seminars at local shore diving spots. The protocol is the same as previous years; snorkelling gear only, wear no more than half your normal diving weight. It's free and includes drinks and snacks afterwards. Registration and waivers start at 0800 and you should be suited up and ready by 8:15. This is a fun way to get familiar with our local waters.
Call the dive and surf hotline the morning of the session at 619-221-8824 to make sure the session hasn't been cancelled due to rough weather.
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La Jolla Cove |
North Bird Rock Saturday, June 3rd 2006 Meet at 6000 Camino de la Costa, La Jolla |
Goldfish Point (La Jolla Caves) Saturday June 17th 2006 Meet at 1325 Coast Blvd. (Old Shell Shop) |
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Marine Street |
Shell Beach Saturday July 22nd 2006 Meet at - 1000 Coast Blvd. (nearest cross street - Ocean St.) At the top of the stairs about half way between La Jolla Cove and Children's Pool |
Hospital Point |
| Casa Cove Saturday August 19th 2006 Meet at Life Guard Tower 850 Coast Boulevard Session Host: San Diego Dive Club |
The club trip the St Kitts and points beyond is sold out. We have more trips in the planning stages and will release that information within the next few months.
In the meantime, The Bottom Bunch is looking for divers to join them for a 3 day trip in the Ocean Odyssey out of San Diego for 3 days, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Oct 13-15. Board the evening of Oct 12th. Email: Wayne Austin for details.$430 cash.Membership rates are $20 single; $30 for a family. If you can't make it to a meeting, send your money to Mark Clausen; 1862 Willow Way; Vista, CA 92083.