L.A. Co. Advanced Diver Program — begins July 8
Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Underwater Instructors Association, has announced dates for the 2006 Advanced Diver Program (ADP). Beginning July 8, local divers can take part in this wholly unique diving program that is designed specifically with California divers in mind. Participants will be exposed to the skills that will create a more confident and well-informed diver in a practical hands-on environment. With over 20 ocean dives and a lake dive planned and led by a staff of experienced instructors, the opportunity to have a great time and become better divers has never been easier. In addition, participants will meet with and learn from some of the most influential and respected people in diving today. Toss in a couple of barbecues, the best diving in Southern California, and the chance to make new diving buddies, and you have the makings of something special. For more information visit www.lascuba.com on the web.

Casino Point Scuba Trail — July 8 and August 5
The Catalina Conservancy Divers are once again providing divers with the Casino Point Scuba Trail experience in Avalon’s Underwater Park July 8 and August 5. Approximately 25 markers will be placed temporarily along the trail to identify various marine organisms. Depths of the trail average between 20 and 35 feet. In addition, trained CCD research divers will be on hand to answer questions and provide resource materials to help you learn more about the unique marine animals and plants that thrive around Catalina Island. The trail will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (weather permitting) and is free. For further details, visit the Catalina Conservancy web site at www.ccd.org.

3Rs Beach Diving Workshops — July 8, August 12 and more
Rocks, Reefs and Rips program (3Rs) is a mini-course designed to familiarize divers with popular beach dive sites and improve their beach diving skills. Spring sessions in the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area will take place: July 8 at Old Marineland (aka Long Point on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los Angeles County), August 12 at Point Dume (Northwest Los Angeles County), September 9 at White Point (Palos Verdes Peninsula) and October 14 at Reef Point on the southern Orange County coastline. Sessions are also being planned for the San Diego area.

Instructors will demonstrate and supervise proper surf entry and exit procedures, explain unique aspects of the dive site, and discuss dive condition assessment techniques. Participants are then led on a snorkeling tour of the dive site. (Participants are to wear full wetsuit, mask, fins, snorkel, and a weight belt with half of the normal weight they use for diving. Tanks and regulators are not allowed.) All classes begin at 8 a.m. but participants should arrive at 7:45 for registration. There may be a fee depending on the session (visit the appropriate web site as indicated below).

The Los Angeles area workshops are organized and conducted by the L.A. County Underwater Instructors Association in cooperation with the Greater Los Angeles Council of Divers (GLACD). For more info on the L.A. County workshops, e-mail 3rs@glacd.org, call 310-344-3250 visit online www.lascuba.com/3rs.html. The San Diego sessions are hosted by the San Diego Council of Divers and various dive clubs. For more information on the San Diego 3Rs, visit www.sddivers.com/events.

Gold Star Dive — July 22
The 9th Annual Gold Star Dive on Catalina Island at the Casino Point Underwater Park will be held on July 22. The event is hosted by the Avalon Sheriff’s Station and sponsored by several dive shops, and companies associated with diving. This event will be a fund-raiser for the Avalon Sheriff’s Station’s S.T.A.R. (Success Through Awareness & Resistance) program and the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber.

Divers will search for numbered “gold” stars in depths between 10 feet and 50 feet. Divers will have an hour and a half to search for the gold stars. Participants who find them will return the number to the check-in table for a prize. All divers must be certified and attend a pre-dive briefing at Casino Point prior to the event. T-shirts and food will be available for sale. For information, call (310) 510-0174, or e-mail klclevel@lasd.org.