Ocean
Explorers
Society
September 2007
I feel like Robinson Crusoe this month. Most of our core group is either in Belize or Turks and Caicos.
It's easy to get blasé about the "everyday" creatures we see. On a typical La Jolla Shores dive, we see bat rays, seemingly hundreds of black eyed gobies and California Blennies, plus the occaisional "exotic" like a Fried Egg jellyfish. But, who are we kidding? People pay enough to see two action movies to go see these things in an aquarium. We get to see them in their native habitat for less money. That's really cool. The less common critters are always changing. Last week, we were getting an en mass visit from Black Sea Nettles. A pelagic (open ocean) jellyfish that gets up to 20 feet long. So, while people on shore are minding their footfalls, we can be out taking pictures, video, or just looking.
It seems like a good time for a picnic. With most of the tourists gone, we'll have space at the beach, the water should still be pretty reasonable, and even if it's not, there are still plenty of games to play in the waves. Details below.
We're seeing temperatures in high 70's at the surface at La Jolla Shores. It seems to be cooler at La Jolla Cove. It's still pretty chilly at depth, but if you want to snorkel without the heavy wetsuit, now is the time to go. Leopard and angel sharks have been reported from Marine Room up to Torrey Pines State Beach.
We're having a good time shore diving. Conditions have generally been very nice over the past few months. We should be seeing improved vis as the days get shorter. Water temperatures should remain pretty reasonable until November.
Parking at the beach, has been anywhere from pretty easy to somewhere near the third circle of hell. La Jolla Cove parking waas surprisingly good for our dive on the 25th. The Shores were horrible on the 19th. The weather seems to be the determining factor, at least before 0900. Children's Pool often has plenty of space. I guess there is something good to say about the seal activists; they're driving the tourists away. Children's Pool is a very good dive entry, has great bottom terrain, and the seals are generally off the beach chasing fish and playing with divers.
The 3R's explored Children's Pool on the 25th. The seal activists were not happy. The verbal harrassment has started again, which is really unfortunate. On the legal front, we're still waiting for the appellate court decision. If they lose the appeal, I fear that San Diego is going to spend money they really don't have on a futile appeal. All the while, they'll be incurring not only their attorney's costs, but attorney fees for the plaintiffs, which are currently somewhere north of $350K. That money should be repairing sewers and paying police officers. We'll send out the word as soon as I hear anything.
If you're interested in being a better underwater photographer, check out the Marty Snyderman seminar at Ocean Enterprises. Marty is an outstanding photographer, and teacher. Having taken classes from outstanding photographers, I can attest that the modest cost of the seminar will be money well spent.
Did something make its way into the water supply? We have more than a few congratulations to hand out. Brian and Dawn Wong are expecting a baby sometime around November 5th. Not to be left behind, Quincy and Noelle Morris are expecting their first child on November 1st.
— Dave AmbroseIt's time for us to retake our beaches. The tourists will be gone. The weather should still be good. We'll start with a morning dive or two, and end with lunch. We'll supply burgers and dogs. You bring something to drink and a side dish to share. We'll be there to stake out a spot and dive at 7:30. Come later if you want. We'll light the BBQ at 11:30. Please RSVP
Where: La Jolla ShoresWe had a successful month of diving in August. Many thanks to those who joined in. We all had a good time. The water has been very warm; 77 at La Jolla Shores, and I logged 71 at La Jolla Cove on Saturday.
September dives:
| September 9th, 7:30 AM - noon | 2 tank dive in the kelp beds on the Lois Ann. Click here to reserve a spot. |
| September 23rd, 7:30AM | Celebrate getting our beaches back at La Jolla Shores. We'll start with a dive and end with lunch. |
| September 28th | Let's start the weekend right with an evening dive at La Jolla Shores. Bring a dive light, or let me know and I'll bring an extra. |
Please RSVP to my cell phone at 858-248-6203. — Dave Ambrose
The SDOF Diveathon is almost over. I hope those with a little vacation money left over will fina a way to donate a few dollars to the SDOF. We have several divers participating. You can either click on a diver below or make a general donation. They do a lot of good work in San Diego county, and fully deserve our support.
An Interesting Film for Divers
Coastal Cleanup Day began with just 2,500 volunteers statewide in 1985. However, this year’s countywide event will build upon the success of last year’s cleanup, at which 5,850 volunteers removed 196,966 pounds of debris from over 165 miles of San Diego’s inland areas, waterways, coastlines and border, making the event the largest volunteer event in San Diego County. JOIN THE EFFORT THIS YEAR.... UNDERWATER and show San Diego how many divers value the cleanliness of our underwater world.
The San Diego Oceans Foundation is proud to be the UNDERWATER Cleanup Organizer on Saturday, September 15th. This year we will be cleaning up the waters of the Embarcadero in San Diego Bay! This area accumulates trash blown into the water and dumped from the stormdrains in downtown, as well as illegal littering from boater's anchored in the nearby cove. This is a great opportunity not only to dive in a location normally off limits to divers, but to improve the quality of our oceans in a hands on, exciting activity!
Embarcadero Underwater Cleanup
Saturday, September 15
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Bagels, coffee, juice and water will be available before and after the dive.
Everyone who participates will be entered into a raffle drawing for great prizes!
Divers must supply all gear required (a limited number of mesh collection bags will be available to those who can't provide their own)
DIVER REQUIREMENTS
1) MUST RSVP to courtney@sdoceans.org by Wednesday, September 12
2) MUST present Diver Certification card at dive check in
3) Divers should have completed 20 previous dives
You will NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE WATER unless you have satisfied ALL THREE requirements
** Not a diver, but still want to help? We need 10 additional "land support" volunteers to help weigh, record and transport trash collected from the divers. RSVP to courtney@sdoceans.org **
Marty Snyderman Seminar at Ocean Enterprises: Renowned underwater photographer and film-maker Marty Snyderman will be giving a one day seminar at Ocean Enterprises on Saturday, September 8th. We've heard very good things about his previous seminars and expect this one to be superlative as well. The cost is $150. For more information, check the flyer, or contact Ocean Enterprises.Save the date. Finding a cure for breast cancer is a dear cause for many OES members. Dive for the Cure is planning a major fundraiser for October 14th. Money raised will be donated to a support program for low-income woment at Sharp Hospital. We'll have more information next month.
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.