Ocean
Explorers
Society
June 2007
Congratulations to Robin Luczak and Mary Henderson on completing their drysuit certifications. Conditions were especially demanding for their May 13th open water dives. The temperature at depth was a chilly 50 degrees, and we had a dense plankton layer at the surface. Below the plankton layer, it was unusually clear. The Ruby E is still encrusted with multicolored corynactis and a beautiful dive under almost any visibility conditions.
Robin, Rachael, and I made the annual trip to the SCUBA show. It was much better this year. They moved it into a larger space within the convention center, and it really made a difference. The usual suspects were there and we all came back with heavy bags of swag and trip info. There were numerous show specials, and if you weren't interested in booking some good travel values, there were special deals on equipment and some good deals on magazine subscriptions. After touring the entire floor, we drove north to Los Angeles to visit the Petersen Automotive Museum. I've never been to this museum before, but I'll definitely be going back. They've got a beautiful reconstruction of the LA drivng scene during the 30's, and rotating exhibits upstairs. It made for a long, but worthwhile day.
The 3R's program is in full swing. In a nutshell, the 3R's are an in the water orientation for some of the better shore diving sites in La Jolla. It's organized by the Council of Divers, and the San Diego Lifeguard Service. They're a great way to hone your surf handling skills, or just have a good time while learning a lot about the local waters. The next session at Goldfish Point/La Jolla Caves is my favorite, but all are good.
We had 29 participants for our 3R's session at North Bird Rock. There was enough surf running to make it a good learning experience, but not so much that we had trouble. Many thanks to Robin for helping out topside and Mickey Scott for helping out in the water. We were able to distribute all the nibbles and refreshments, and a good time was enjoyed by all.
The proposed Seal Ordinance has submarined. We've gotten no word on it for several weeks. Last news I had was that it was being reviewed, and possibly reviled by the public safety agencies. If something comes up, we'll let you know right away. The rope is now gone, and the beach is open. Don't harass the seals, and as a precaution, I keep my head above water until clear of the pool itself. There's been a lot of pressure on the animal rights activists to prevent confrontations, and it seems to be working. The drill is to keep to the east side of the cove, ignore the "docents", and just get in the water.
This just in -- Oral arguments in city's appeal of the Children's Pool verdict will be he heard on July 11th at 9 AM. The proceedings are open to the public. The court is located downtown inSymphony Towers, 750 B Street, Suite 300, San Diego.
The La Jolla Light ran an article on Children's Pool that said the activists had come to an agreement with "the opposition" on shared use at Children's Pool. To my knowledge, there's no agreement between the Council of Divers and anyone on joint usage. This is either a mistake by the paper, or a deliberate lie by the seal activists.
Diving is getting really good now. Conditions have improved in the last two weeks. The water continues to warm. Paul Suwinczsky, Tom Perrine, and I dived La Jolla Shores this afternoon. Conditions have improved in the last two weeks. Temperature at the surface was 65 degrees, and up to 55 at 60 feet.. Vis is a very respectable 25 feet. We encountered some cloudiness right at the top of the canyon. Closer examination revealed plankton, or some kind of piscene larvae. When we got to the wall, we found plenty of stuff to keep us busy. including a San Diego Dorid, and several bat rays mac'n away on crustaceans. In all, it was a lovely dive in a lovely day.
The red tide is intermittently here and can reduce visibility to zero in a hurry. It's strictly a top-water phenominon though, and vis generally improves as you get deeper. However, the red tide makes for great for night-time walks on the beach because the waves will be positively luminous if you get away from the street lights. Torrey Pines, and north of Scripps Pier are my favorite places to see the bioluminescence.
I'll 'fess up to loving sharks. Steve Murvine captured a Sevengill shark on video near Point Loma. John Moore was kind enough to post it here on Divebums.
— Dave Ambrose
What are the 3Rs?
3Rs
is an in-water education and site orientation program for divers and snorkelers.
Participants are briefed on the interaction of surf, swell, and tides on
underwater rocks and reefs, and then enter the water and tour popular diver
sites with local lifeguards.
Who can attend?
The
3Rs is free and open to the public. Snorkelers welcome! SCUBA Certification is
not required, but swimming experience is recommended.
Bring a mask, fins, and snorkel. A full wetsuit and gloves are strongly recommended for warmth and protection from scrapes. Spring suits are OK. Weights are discouraged unless you are a strong swimmer or your wetsuit is extremely buoyant. Scuba gear (regulator, BC, tank, etc.) is not used during the 3Rs.
If you have not been diving or snorkeling recently, please check your gear before you arrive.When are the 3Rs?
For
all dates below, registration will be at 8:00am. Mandatory briefing starts at
8:15am, enter the water 8:30 am.
Saturday June 23, 2007
Meet at
1325 Coast Blvd. (Old Shell Shop)
Session Host: Dive Animals
Marine Street
Saturday July 14, 2007
Meet at - 300 Marine
Street
Session Host: Bottom Bunch
Shell Beach
Saturday July 28, 2007
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
Session Host: San Diego
Freedivers
Hospital Point
Saturday August 11th, 2007
Meet at - 400 Coast
Blvd (south of Cuvier)
Session Host: Sea Dogs
Casa Cove
Saturday August 25th, 2007
Meet at Life Guard Tower
850 Coast Boulevard
Session Host: San Diego Dive Club
(San Diego Council of Divers, sddivers.com)
Zeagle Systems Wants Your Old Zeagle-Apeks Regulators! For a limited time, you can trade in your old Zeagle-Apeks regulator for a brand new Zeagle regulator system.
Zeagle Systems is committed to providing our customers with the latest in diving technology. Zeagle regulator systems have always come with a limited lifetime warranty. However, over the last several years it has become increasingly difficult to secure the necessary parts from Apeks/Aqualung to allow the level of warranty service for Zeagle-Apeks regulators that Zeagle wants to provide. Therefore, this limited trade-in program is designed to replace/upgrade your older (pre-2000) Zeagle-Apeks regulator (1st & 2nd stages and Octopus) with a current Zeagle regulator and warranty.First concert: Wednesday, May 23: 6-9 p.m. featuring the Bayou Brothers
Birch Aquarium at Scripps opens its second season of summertime concerts on May 23 with the return of the Bayou Brothers with their down-home Louisiana-style musical gumbo that will have your heart thumpin' and feet stompin'.
Concerts are held in the aquarium's breathtaking oceanfront tide pool plaza. All aquarium exhibits will be open for viewing. Drinks and refreshments provided by Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery are available for additional charge.
Proceeds will help support Birch Aquarium programs and it’s newest exhibit, Feeling the Heat: The Climate Challenge.
Wednesday, June
20
ROCKOLA
60s tribute to the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper
album
Wednesday, July
18
EVE
SELIS
Americana music, blending country, gospel
and rock 'n' roll
Wednesday, August
15
LEN RAINEY
& THE MIDNIGHT PLAYERS
High energy blues, jazz
and rock 'n' roll
Wednesday, September 19
THE BIGFELLAS
Fun, funky, friendly original
rock
Concerts are open to ages 21+.
RSVP to 858/534-4109. Walk-in admission $25. RSVP now for a lower rate.
APEKS Regulator Recall - There may be a potential problem with the yoke clamp screw on any yoke clamp type regulator with the serial number starting from 7010001 - 7053528. All Apeks dealers have been made aware of this issue.
Here is your chance to see your work projected in Standard
or High Definition formats in a state of the art venue on a giant
screen. There is no entry fee!
Each evening will feature a
different program consisting of 14 to 16 short underwater films from
locations all over the world.
Entry Guidelines:
San Diego UnderSea Film
Exhibition
c/o Bob Gladden
10339 Thanksgiving Ln.
San
Diego, CA 92126.
Filmmakers whose films are selected are
encouraged to come to the show and introduce their film(s) in person on
the night of the exhibition.
The San Diego UnderSea Film
Exhibition reserves the right to use the films for the promotion of this
event. All rights will remain with the owners of the
films.
If you have questions please contact Bob
Gladden (858) 695-0264, ovisions@san.rr.com; or Steve Douglas(619) 464-4505, steve-sharksdelight@cox.net.
Take out your frustrations with sometimes-absurd security situations in a play-for-free online game called “Airport Security.” Inspired by the near-insanity of the changing carry-on bans, the game lets you play screener, responding to an ever-changing list of banned items – from shoes and water bottles to pants, hummus and Sioux war bonnets. If you react too slowly, or make mistakes, the lines back up and you lose. The game has three levels of difficulty: fickle, arbitrary and knee-jerk. Sign on at www.addictinggames.com/airportsecurity.html.
If you're checking bags at the airport, be sure to use only TSA-approved locks that can be opened and relocked by TSA inspectors. “Also, don't over-pack your bags,” said Lindbergh spokeswoman Diana Lucero. “If inspectors have a hard time stuffing everything back in, it could delay the process and your bag could end up missing your flight.”
New at security checkpoints: dispensers of (Purell) hand sanitizer and paper booties to keep your feet (or socks) clean when you remove your shoes.
Next General Meeting
Will be June 12th, at the La
Jolla Brew house, 7536 Fay Ave, La Jolla, Just off Pearl Street. Check our
calendar on; http://www.sddivers.com/events/ and if you don't see an event that your club is
sponsoring listed, send information in to events@sddivers.com, or send a whole list of events to that email
address. If you would like to see a topic covered or certain speaker brought
in, let us know at info@sddivers.com
.
Standing Issues Covered
As part of the general meeting, Scott had
a Power Point summary of the ongoing issues the Council is still working with,
including supporting stopping proposed abalone harvesting, working with the La
Jolla Shores Association, the Oceans Foundation Education and Scientific
Committee, and the 3rs program.
Request for a single source of support for Children's Pool efforts by the clubs
One of our dive clubs requested that the Council appoint an individual to be the single point of contact for the Children's Pool. Scott spoke to Steve Haynes, a former president of the Council and leading expert on the issues, Steve is willing, on the condition that all correspondence on behalf of the Council originates from him, and that independent communications from council members cease. That was not only reasonable, but just what we wanted. There was a quorum of dive club representatives present, and they voted unanimously to ask Steve to take on that role.
In support of any actions needed, the San
Diego Dive Club delegate offered their capabilities for fund raising efforts to
support his efforts, should it be needed.
Beach Cleanup at Children's Pool May
19th 2007
Council member David Pierce announced he
had adopted South Casa Beach through, “I Love a Clean San Diego”. Per their
policy, they will supply the gloves, plastic bags. David has also adopted
Children's Pool Beach, again I Love a Clean San Diego will provide the materials
for clean up, but will not officially sponsor the beach because of controversy.
http://www.adoptsd.org/register
This is quite early in the season, so their calendar on the website does not show this event yet.
Those willing to help clean the nastiest
beach in San Diego so the seals can have a disease and stink-free place to haul
out, and also provide divers and beach goers a decent and clean beach to enjoy,
please show up May 19, 2007 at 10:00 am. Clean up will last approximately one to
two hours, and refreshments will be provided.
Submitted 5/9/06
John Leek, Secretary