SJSD President’s Column

                 by Bob Linkswiler 

Its been 6 months since I was elected president and what a busy 6 months it has been. Further it is only going to get busier. Our schedule for the next 6 months consists of monthly dive activities, specialty training, professional presentations and new opportunities to use our skills, training and experiences in support of the community.

This year at Christmas, the club once again showed the community where their hearts are. We supported not one but two families with a combined total of eleven (yes 11) children, several with special needs. I am very proud to be a member of an organization that gives back to the community in support of those in need the way we did this year and in years past. Read on to find out more of the details.

Our January 17^th meeting will include a presentation by the Team Captain of the Kern County Sherriff’s Department Underwater Search and Rescue (S&R) Unit, our own Jim Grundt. Jim has been an SJSD member for 40 years, a S&R unit member for 37 years and commander for 10 years. As a club, we have supported the S&R unit for years (or is it more that they have supported us?). Many of the unit members are also dive club members. But who are they and what do they do (can I get a ticket fixed)? How much do they get paid? What training is necessary? When and where do they work? Do they get patrol cars and other free stuff? The two organizations have been closely related for years. Come and find out all about this very special group of men and women and their chosen dedication to the Kern County community. 

Lastly, I would like to thank the board for their support and efforts over this ‘training the new pres’ period. We’ve accomplished much and are looking for new ways to serve the local dive community. If you have missed a few meetings, come see what you have been missing. If you have let your membership expire, reconsider that choice. We’d love to see you again. While you are at it, bring that friend from work, school, church or wherever who has expressed an interest in the other 70% of the earth’s surface. 

We, your SJSD Club board, hope that you and yours had not only the merriest of Christmases but also the best of new years ahead in 2008. We look forward to seeing you soon.

 Bob Linkswiler

President, SJSD

CURRENT OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS 2007-2008:

SJSD Calendar of Events

 PAST EVENTS:

Sport Chalet Opens in Bakersfield

This year welcomed the Sport Chalet Corporation to the Bakersfield area. Even better, they brought with them their love of SCUBA diving. As a corporate policy, Sport Chalet will select one dive club in the area to support (did you know there is more than one dive club around?). I am very happy to report that the San Joaquin Sport Divers Club was selected as that club. This results in special discounts on merchandise and services that are only available to SJSD club members. For details, ask Bob at the next meeting.

 Captain Frog

This long-time SCUBA training facility in Bakersfield continues to expand. As a PADI 5-star Instructor Development Facility, they now offer classes from beginner to instructor in one location. Their expanded staff continues to offer Open Water, advanced and PADI specialty classes as well as Dive Master through Instructor. Further, Captain Frog also offers special discounts available to club members only. Ask Bob about these also.

Club Charter Rewrite

OK all you long-time dive club members. Time to show us young-ins what this club is all about. I need you to stand up and recite the club oath as stated in the previous charter and by-laws. Need help? OK, it starts with “I do solemnly swear that I will ever abide, and uphold, the democratic principals of good sportsmanship…. Abide by the conservation laws of the state of California and will immediately report any violations…” Well, you only had to recite this once during initiation so you may be forgiven for a minor case of senior’s moment. But surely (and don’t call me Shirley), you must know your rank within the club as either a sea urchin, sport diver, expert diver or master diver which is based on how many and the size of the fish you have speared (the one that got away doesn’t count) on your many club dive trips? 

Well, most of us on the board failed the motto and spear fishing tests also so we decided it was time to look closely at the existing charter (last update1969). It only took about 30 seconds to determine it was time for a complete rewrite. After almost a year’s effort, Larry Emlet produced a final draft of the proposed charter incorporating the important roles, responsibilities, rules and purposes which was accepted by the board as the new official charter. This charter is expected to be a living document and reviewed more frequently than the nearly 40 years it took this time. In short, the club purpose is to provide a social, recreational and professional atmosphere to the club membership, promote safe diving practices, promote the preservation and protection of the water environment and indigenous life. Many thanks to Larry on this project which will set the direction of this club for years to come. If you want a complete copy of the charter, see Bob at one of the general meetings.

 Kern Valley Pride Day

Bill Brimmer and Bob Linkswiler joined the Bakersfield College Renegades Scuba Dive Team for a cleanup dive on Lake Isabella in support of Kern Valley Pride Day in September.  There weren’t many divers (only 4 of us) but we were joined by hundreds of ground-pounders in a massive cleanup effort. We successfully retrieved several bags of goodies from the depths of French Gulch. It was a very interesting dive in as much that it was a bright, sun-shinny day on the surface, beneath the waves it was a simulated night dive. Visibility with even a bright dive light was limited to only about 18 inches. You didn’t so much as settle on the bottom as you collided with the bottom. You weren’t even sure which way your bubbles were going! This was a dive-by-Braille experience! However, it was a great day and a very worthy project. Besides the burgers were great and where else would you get a lime-green t-shirt? I hope next year that the club will be able to participate even more supporting our neighbors and local recreation sites.  

Island Diver out of Redondo Beach

We knew the job was difficult but someone had to do it. Dave Irvine and Bob Linkswiler joined a DM class from Captain Frog on the Island Diver to check out this 6-pack diving opportunity. Nicky Langley kept telling us that it was a 20 minute boat ride to Avalon and Dave and I were thinking, “WOW, must be jet powered”.  Must have lost something in the translation from “English” to “English”. While it was a 20 minute boat ride to Avalon, it was not Santa Catalina Avalon but the SS Avalon, a 269 foot, converted passenger steam ship to freighter which sunk during a storm Sept. 16, 1964. Sitting in 70-80 feet of water, most of the boat has collapsed except for the bow. The other recognizable feature was the tractor crane that was on deck when she sank and now sits on its end near the bow.

As the captain dropped a marker buoy and his bow anchor, Dave and I were bubbling with excitement as we prepared to explore this really cool wreck. All we had to do was to follow the navigation instructions to go down the anchor line and head towards the marker buoy and the boat was to be dead ahead. So much for instructions. They left out the “turn right at the anchor line and swim 50 feet to the wreck, forget the buoy marker” part. You guessed it. The Dive Master Dave and Instructor Bob completely MISSED a 269 foot sunken ship on our first dive! In about 20 foot vis, we got skunked on our first attempt. Following a minor revision in directions, we were successful on our second attempt. Lobster EVEYWHERE! Large Lingcod in every nook and cranny. Did I mention we forgot our hunting gear? We still had a great time. So much, in fact, that Bob scheduled 2 dive trips with the boat in 2008. See the details below.  

Christmas Party

Our December meeting was moved from Rusty’s Pizza to TL Maxwell’s this year for our annual Christmas party. Over 50 club members joined in the fun and frivolity. Dinner choices consisted of filet mignon, salmon or chicken cooked to order. My dinner was outstanding as was everyone else’s I talked to. Considering these weren’t pre-cooked 2 days before we arrived, dinner was fast and very tasty. Door prizes consisted of a $50 gift certificate from Sport Chalet, a spear gun from Captain Frog and other gift certificates from the club in 25, 50 and $100 denominations. Following these prizes, a gift exchange was held for those choosing to participate. They ranged from ski/dive hats, board games, fishing poles, stuffed animals, gift certificates and many other great items. Lastly, raffles were held for club dive shirts and sweatshirts with the cash proceeds of the raffle going to the primary Christmas family. Over $100 cash was raised for this cause.   

Speaking of which, the club supported 2 families this year. Read on to get the detals.

 Christmas Families

The first family consisted of 6 children and their parents. At least one of the children were severely disabled. Details of the family were not available at press time so you will just have to come to the meeting on the 17^th to find out more about this family. 

The Greenfield Resource Center supplied our second family. They are involved with many different families in the school district who may have ongoing or temporary problems of some kind. They were so pleased that we could help a family that they feel is particularly deserving: 2 parents with 5 children. Four of the five children have special needs. The father has been in retraining after an injury, and his Social Security was cut substantially for a time. He struggled to keep his electricity and water paid. Christmas gifts were going to be very few. The week before Christmas, the SJSD presented the family with gifts that held food, clothing, toys, and other items. Not only was the father moved to tears when he saw so many presents, but so were some of the employees of the Resource Center. They were very appreciative. The generosity of the SJSD once again helped a struggling family have a wonderful Christmas.

 UPCOMING EVENTS 

Wreck Diving

Thanks to Nicky Langley and Dave Pegler and their presentation on the PADI Wreck Diving specialty, a class had been scheduled in preparation of future diving adventures, including the trip to Cayman Brac. Response by Club members was so great that two separate classes were scheduled to meet the needs of all interested and the availability of the dive boat. However, the fickle finger of fate intervened. On the planned pool night, we arrived to find no water!  It is difficult to dive in dry conditions ... McMurtry had failed to inform Captain Frog about the impending scheduled maintenance.  OK, we can take a joke, onto plan B. The pool session was rescheduled in time for the planned boat trip to San Diego aboard the Hydro Diver. This time Mother Nature stepped in and the weather conditions generated small craft advisories so that the boat Captain had to sink the hopes of this first class. Now the boat dive is scheduled for Jan 19^th in the hopes that all the stars will realign and grant access to the mysteries of the deep and the wrecks below. The second class has also been rescheduled for February and some openings may still be available. Check with Captain Frog.

 Reef Check

Nicky Langley, a Reef Check certified diver, gave a 5 minute overview of Reef Check at the November meeting.  Time constraints prohibited a more informative presentation at that time, so the full presentation is scheduled for the Feb 15^th meeting.  To give you an idea; "Reef Check California aims to build a network of informed and involved citizens who support the sustainable use and conservation of our nearshore marine resources. To accomplish this, volunteers will be trained to carry out surveys of nearshore reefs providing data on the status of key indicator species". Training for this program consists of pool, classroom and dive programs, including an overnight liveaboard trip out of Santa Barbara, and is fantastic value. In order to get Reef Check to come to us and schedule a class in Bakersfield, we needed 10 volunteers. With the limited information presented we have already exceeded that quota and still have more openings. Nicky will be giving a more detailed presentation at the Feb. 21^st meeting. Come hear all about it and join in on the fun. We will also be looking for our own little piece of shoreline to adopt and monitor for the Reef Check folks. If you have any suggestions as to your favorite beach dive, that might be suitable for the Club to monitor, please let us know and we will consider all options. This is an opportunity for the Club to make a difference right where we live! 

Catalina Harbor Cleanup Dive

Time for a warm-up dive (Pacific water warm in winter?) and have massive amounts of FUN also. The club has reserved hotel rooms at the Hermosa for Feb. 22 and 23 for the harbor cleanup dive. This is “THE” dive event of southern California. Last year, over 500 divers descended on Avalon in support of the environment, Catalina Conservancy and the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber. Hotel cost for both nights is only $80 double occupancy. The cleanup dive is Saturday Feb. 23^rd followed by the massive raffle prize drawing. Plus you get to keep anything you might find (diamonds, rare coins, Rolex watches, empty beer cans). Registration costs only $35 per diver and you get a free t-shirt. A couple of rooms are still available but it is filling up fast. If you are interested, call Bob Linkswiler (cell phone 559.381.1763) or further details. 

Island Diver out of Redondo Beach

Since we had such a great time on Dave and Bob’s initial excursion with the Island Diver, we have 2 trips scheduled on this boat, Jan. 19^th and March 22^nd. This is a basic boat operation in that each diver must bring their own tanks (3 for 3 dives) and food and water. While this sounds like a long haul with lots of heavy gear, parking for equipment drop off is only about 50 feet from the boat deck! The better news is that with only a 20 minute boat ride to most sites, we don’t have to leave the dock till 10AM with a return to dock around 4PM. Almost like having an afternoon dive schedule. Space is limited to 6 divers and 2 additional insured dive master or above crew members. Boat cost for each person is only $90. Come join the fun exploring these near-to-home and shore dive sites as there is much more beneath these waves than just the SS Avalon.

 SJSD Club Dive Trip

Cayman Brac here we come! This is one of the top dive destinations in the world. Warm water, 100+ ft. vis., beautiful walls, sunken ships. Departure is planned for July 17^th returning July 26^th.  Space is limited and we already have 20+ people signed up to go. Marlys Brimmer has negotiated a great price for the group. This is a chance to experience world-class diving at its best. Did I mention warm water? 

 Catalina Gold Star Dive

For those of us confined to the eastern shores of the greater Pacific, this annual event takes place on July 19^th when the rest of the club is enjoying the much warmer waters of Cayman Brac. The Gold Star Dive has been in operation since 1997.  The event is a non-profit program and was established as a means to help support the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Avalon S.T.A.R. Program (Success Through Awareness and Resistance) and the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber.  The event is hosted by the Avalon Sheriff's station.

The Gold Star Dive is held each year in July at Catalina's Casino Point Underwater Park adjacent to the famous landmark Casino.  The day is filled with fun.  First, there's the actual Gold Star Dive event in the morning, followed by lunch where world famous "Ballast Burgers" and "Diver Dogs" are served.  In the afternoon attention is drawn to Wrigley Plaza near Avalon Bay.  Here, the Gold Star Dive Official Raffle is held.  Participants, event supporters and the town of Avalon gather around to see if they have one of many winning tickets.  The evening is enchanted by fun-loving divers and supporters of this great cause.

Prizes are given away for those who participate and find one of over 100 Gold Stars that have been planted in the Casino Point Underwater Park.  All participants receive a Commemorative T-Shirt, a solid Chocolate Star and a goodie bag containing a free raffle ticket.  Not to be left out, non-divers are encouraged to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win a topside prize.

The club will be reserving hotel rooms for the dive so mark your calendars, and be prepared for ballast-burgers, diver-dogs and chocolate. Sounds like a great combination.

MEMBER DIVING REPORTS (please email a board member with any future writeups!)

 The Brimmers 25th Anniversary Trip ~ Diving of Course!

By Marlys and Bill Brimmer             

 From December 21 to January 6, we took a wonderful trip to the South Pacific. We flew from LAX to Tahiti and spent several days diving with Top Dive on the Tahitian island of Moorea. The reef was not very colorful (nothing can compare to what we saw in Honduras!) but we enjoyed diving with many huge lemon sharks. The divemaster is doing scientific research on them, so he could identify 70 different ones, and after each dive he recorded which ones we dove with.

After flying to Australia and spending several land days in Sydney, we flew to Cairns (pronounced “Cans”) and got on the liveaboard “Spirit of Freedom.”  We heard of them at the Long Beach Scuba Show, and by booking at that time we got free Nitrox for all the dives. We did the first 2 dives just a couple hours after getting on board. Those dives weren’t as pretty and had worse vis (only 60 feet or so) but we saw some things we hadn’t seen before and enjoyed them. After going 12 hours north overnight on the Ribbon Reef system of the Great Barrier Reef, we did 5 dives the next day… love that Nitrox! No fatigue!  We dove some much prettier areas, had better vis (100+ feet), and enjoyed the day very much. The 5th dive was a night dive, and we saw in a cave a Moray eel that was bigger than Bill… bigger around and longer… SCARY!

On the next day we did 4 dives at various locations, with all yielding neat discoveries.  In those last 9 dives we dove many great places, including the famous Cod Hole, where the cod are 5-6 feet long and love to come up and stare you in the face. We got to experience some beautiful giant clams, and at the other extreme we found some tiny pipefish.  On a dive to the Snake Pit we saw several 8’ long sea snakes, a large turtle, and some people saw a manta ray (not us.) On almost every dive WE FOUND NEMO (clownfish) and his cousins and uncles and aunts…. so many! That was fun.

The dive boat experience is intense… a 5 dive day includes:  light breakfast, dive, cooked breakfast, dive, lunch, dive, snack, dive, rest, night dive, and dinner. The food was excellent and the cook catered to what we liked or didn’t like. The divemasters were all very knowledgeable and fun to be around. They took care of the newbies and guided anyone to see the “good stuff” if they wanted a guide. There were 10 crew and 23 divers on board.  The weather was great; the water flat and smooth virtually the whole 4-day trip since we were inside the reef. (On the other 3 days, they were scheduled to go out to the Coral Sea, with 20-30 knot winds… we didn’t sign up for that part of the trip.)

After packing up our gear we were dropped off at Lizard Island, and our gear sent to the Cessna plane while we hiked the island. We went up a mountain to “Cook’s Look” where Captain Cook looked at the reef to see where his ships could go through the reef. We flew back to Cairns at maximum 700 feet off the water so we wouldn’t get the bends. That was fun too!

We highly recommend the “Spirit of Freedom” dive boat and diving the Great Barrier Reef!

THE LAST BUBBLE! 

Run out of things to do at home? Need a focus for your after-work talents? We have several small projects under consideration where your skills could shine. We are looking for folks with research, writing, creative arts, photographic, computer and web site skills (or at least willing to try). These projects will not require a long-term commitment and for the most part, would not be major efforts. Call Bob Linkswiler if you can spare some time to advance one of these projects.

 While elections are still 5 months away, time passes quickly. We expect several board positions to become available next year and urge you to consider joining our merry little band. This club survives solely on the hard work and dedication of its membership. Without YOU, the club will cease to exist. The basic commitment is just to attend one more meeting a month.

 Remember, also, that membership has privileges.  Both Captain Frog and Sport Chalet offer significant discounts to current members on dive gear, services and classes. You only need a valid membership card to participate. You can end up saving more than the cost your membership with just a single purchase.

 Speaking of privileges, Bob Linkswiler and Captain From have teamed up to offer a PADI Nitrox class to club members at a greatly reduced rate. If you need justification, read Bill and Marlys’s NITROX experiences.

 Also there is a new dive shop in town, World Aquatic Adventures at Wilson and New Stine. They haven’t officially opened yet but they are going to join us at the next meeting for an introduction to their plans and opportunities.

 Mark your calendars and plan to join us at the SJSD meetings! We are still meeting every third Thursday, except the month of December, from 7:30 pm to about 8:30 pm at Rusty’s Pizza Parlor, at Ming/Ashe corner… the south meeting room. We have presentations at almost every meeting covering everything from dive gear to future dive trips, underwater photos, info on Ships to Reefs, etc. We often have giveaways of dive gear/other prizes or gift certificates at almost every meeting. Come on in and join the fun! While you are at it, bring a friend!