SJSD President’s Column

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. 24 and 26, 2102 for the harbor cleanup dive. This is “THE” dive event of southern California. In past  years, 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 $160. The cleanup dive is Saturday Feb. 25^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 $40 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. 

 SJSD Club Dive Trip

Turks & Caicos 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 14^th returning July 2^1st.  Space is limited and we already have 30+ 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 13^th when the rest of the club is enjoying the much warmer waters of Turks & Caicos. 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!)

In progress

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 Chris Jones 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.

  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!