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Bill Wright, Sr. Passes
Local diving pioneer Bill Wright Sr., has died after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. He died peacefully at home with his son, Billy, and wife, Jean, at his side.
Bill Wright, Sr. opened Sunland Sports Lodge in Beverly Hills (the forerunner to Reef Seekers Dive Co.) with Jean in 1954. Bill and Jean ran the store (in various locations) until the mid-80s. Bill was also a relentless shipwreck explorer, always convinced he was going to find the next big wreck. Because he read Portuguese (he was originally from Brazil) he made frequent trips to Spain and Portugal to research original documents concerning shipwrecks. And while he never found that legendary big wreck, the Wright’s house was full of fascinating artifacts that Bill pulled up out of the ocean over the years. And when anyone visited, Bill was always eager to share the story behind his finds.
Bill’s son, Billy Wright, is now co-owner of Reef Seekers Dive Co., the operation evolved from Sunland Sports.
Viz Good In Spite of Rain
October started off with fantastic water clarity both along the shoreline and out at the islands with 20 to 30 feet reported for beach diving and as much as 100+ out at the islands. Then the early rains came. Water along the coast was mucked up for a few days but cleared with surprising quickness. Visibility out at the islands is also reported still quite good—60 to 80 feet. Late fall and early winter has always been the best time to dive California and it continues to be so even if the rains come early. Also, it generally only takes a few days for the water to clear up along the coast, less than a day at the islands.
Beach Smoking Bans
In March, the city of San Clemente became the first Orange County town to ban smoking at its beaches. Laguna Beach and Huntington Beach followed suit shortly thereafter.
Newport Beach is now considering a similar ban, only their ordinance would also cover most bay areas.
Cigarette butts are a leading pollution source on urban area beaches.
Beach Smoking Bans
In March, the city of San Clemente became the first Orange County town to ban smoking at its beaches. Laguna Beach and Huntington Beach followed suit shortly thereafter.
Newport Beach is now considering a similar ban, only their ordinance would also cover most bay areas.
Cigarette butts are a leading pollution source on urban area beaches.
Avalon Harbor Cleanup T-Shirt Contest
The Annual Avalon Underwater Cleanup is being held on February 26, 2005, and this year Catalina Conservancy Divers and the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber are holding the 3rd annual contest for the logo design to be used for the T-shirts. The contest is open to any and all who have an interest and a talent. The rules of the contest are simple. The design must include no more than two colors. The winner will be acknowledged in the marketing of the event, as well as at the event itself. Deadline for entries is December 10, 2004, and the winner will be announced on December 13th. Submit your artwork, entries and questions to: Jill A. Boivin - Event Chairperson at jaboivin@earthlink.net or mail entries to 2150 Loma Dr., Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.
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| Porcupinefish in Laguna Beach. Photo by Debbie Karimoto (www.orange.divebums.com). |
More Warm Water Creatures Appear
Porcupine fish and hammerhead sharks are considered tropical and semi-tropical species but they have been added to the increasing list of warm water visitors having been seen recently in the Southern California seas. Debbie Karimoto spotted a porcupine fish in Laguna Beach last month and hammerheads are being caught offshore. Scientists have not been talking about a new El Niño warm water climate effect, but perhaps exceptionally warm summer temperatures, hanging on into the fall, has given an open invitation to these species rarely seen in California. Other recent semi-tropical visitors include triggerfish and turtles.