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Nick Icorn (center) presented the Historical Diving Society Nick Icorn Award to Kim and Dale Sheckler.
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Shecklers Receive Three Significant Awards
California Diving News (CDN) publishers and SCUBA Show producers Dale and Kim Sheckler have received three significant awards in the last few months.
Husband and wife team Dale and Kim Sheckler recently received the honor of being inducted into the California Wreck Divers Hall of Fame. The California Wreck Divers is a club established in 1971 “to perpetuate the awareness of maritime history through organized exploration, research, restoration and display.” They advance the knowledge and fun in diving the shipwrecks of California and the world. Members are considered the foremost authorities in California wreck diving. The California Wreck Divers Hall of Fame was established to “recognize select individuals for their outstanding achievements in the field of shipwreck exploration.” Past inductees into the Hall of Fame include Zale Perry, Bill and Bob Meistrell, Robert Marx, Dick Anderson, and James Cameron. For more information on the California Wreck Divers, visit www.cawreckdivers.org.
The Jon Hardy Diving Safety award was established after the diving pioneer’s untimely death. The award recognizes those making significant contributions in the advancement of diving safety. For 2004 the award was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Sheckler.
And finally, at the Saturday Night Casino Party Benefit for the Catalina Conservancy Divers, taking place at SCUBA Show 2004, Dale and Kim Sheckler were presented by diving pioneer and historian Nick Icorn the Historical Diving Society Nick Icorn Award for “continued support of the history of diving.” For more information on the Historical Diving Society, visit www.hds.org online.
The Shecklers are founders and publishers of California Diving News, the only publication dedicated to California divers since 1984. Now celebrating 20 years of publishing, CDN boasts a readership on both web and print estimated at 100,000.
The company incorporated as Saint Brendan Corporation in 1986 and in 1988 went on to produce an annual consumer dive expo, the SCUBA Show, that has become the largest dive expo of its kind in the Western U.S. It takes place every year in late spring in Long Beach, California and sees an annual attendance of over 10,000 underwater enthusiasts.
Saint Brendan Corporation also has published a number of books on diving California waters. Saint Brendan Corporation was named in honor of the patron saint of seafarers and scuba divers. For more information on Saint Brendan Corporation, visit www.saintbrendan.com on-line.
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Fiji Aggressor II
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Searching for a Cure in Fiji
A recent Fiji Aggressor II scuba charter was designed to seek new anti-cancer drugs. Scientists from the University of the South Pacific, working with those of the University of Utah, sampled marine invertebrate tissues from around Vanua Levu. These samples are to be tested initially in Fiji and then in the United States to see if they have potential to kill cancer cells. Marine invertebrates, especially those which cannot move, often use poisonous chemicals to prevent them from being eaten.
Positive samples are further studied to ensure they are not toxic to animals and then humans. After this, clinical trials might be undertaken. Several promising leads have been found from such research in Fiji over the last decade, especially samples from two Beqa Lagoon orange sponges.
The research is funded by a United States National Cancer Drug Discovery grant. Another important aspect of the work is in the conservation of these marine resources. Divers monitor the health of the coral reefs and discuss their findings with nearby communities.
The Fiji Aggressor II is a 101-foot, 10-passenger dive yacht. Aggressor Fleet, Limited offers scuba excursions and private yacht charters in Bay Islands, Belize, Cayman, Costa Rica, Fiji, Galapagos, Hawaii, Palau, Tahiti, Truk Lagoon and Turks & Caicos. For more information, visit www.aggressor.com online.
SCUBA Show Draws Over 10,000; Exhibitors Pleased, Attendees Enthusiastic
SCUBA Show 2004 took place May 22-23 at the Long Beach Convention Center. This is the 17th annual SCUBA Show, the largest expo ever in the history of this, the largest dive expo in the western United States. A total of 10,511 underwater enthusiasts attended. The SCUBA Show has drawn over 10,000 per year for the past 14 years.
In addition to the exhibit hall, the continuous underwater film festival and seminars were popular portions of the show. Many attending participated in the exhibit hall pool/demo tank. Weekend highlight was the Party benefiting the Catalina Conservancy Divers.
“We are very pleased with heavy attendance at this year’s show,” stated show producer Dale Sheckler. “I have never seen more enthusiasm in the attendees.”
Exhibitors were also pleased with the heavy attendance and good flow of business. Just a few of the accolades received included:
• “The Show was great! We did the best business ever.” — Cara Sherman, Liburdi's Scuba Center
• “Far exceeded our expectations for sales.” — Rusty Berry, Scuba Schools of America.
• “We took a little over $100,000 in bookings. Thanks for a great show!” — Ron Steven, Mike Ball Dive Expeditions.
• “We were swamped with attendees.” — Eileen Sahlin, DAN
Consumers attending were equally happy:
• “A most enjoyable show.” — Jim Olson
• “I was thoroughly impressed!” — Jan Larson, Sea Ventures Dive Club
• “The SCUBA Show was well worth the trip.” — Keith Hafen, Blue Water Divers
Plans are already underway for SCUBA Show 2005 May 21-22 again at the Long Beach Convention Center. For up to date information, visit www.saintbrendan.com.
New Boats at BIBR
Bay Island Beach Resort has added two new dive boats to their operation on Roatan Island, Honduras. The resort will now have four 30-to 34-foot boats to serve guests.
The Miss Katie and Miss Eloise are a pair of 32-foot Island Hopper boats designed and built especially for scuba diving. Both boats have a 12-foot beam that provides wide, uncluttered decks for divers and gear, has aluminum tank racks and conveniently seats 13 divers. Water entry is either by giant stride off the back or back rolls from two designated areas. Boat entry is with two ladders and a wide platform. The Miss Katie has a flying bridge for spotting whale sharks.
For photographers there is a dry camera and area and rinse tank. There is also a fresh water shower and plenty of space for drinking water and snacks. A small cabin houses water-tight compartments for life jackets and gear, and a toilet with holding tank.
The Miss Katie is powered by a 320HP 3208 Caterpillar and the Miss Patti by a 350HP Cummins diesel. Both boats carry complete first aid and DAN oxygen kits. The Miss Patti is USCG certified for 12 divers and 2 crew for 100 miles offshore with fire system, life raft, buoys, and EPRIB.
These boats join the Miss Maggie, a Delta 28 and the Potlicker, a 33-foot Navy personnel boat to complete the Bay Islands Beach Resort dive boat fleet.
For more details about the Bay Island Beach Resort, visit their website at www.bibr.com or call toll-free 1-800-4-ROATAN.
— from Divenewswire.com
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California Diving News publisher Dale Sheckler (left) and SCUBA Show executive director Kim Sheckler (right) present Bob Given with the 2004 California Scuba Service Award.
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2004 California Scuba Service Award Presented to Bob Given
The recent SCUBA Show in Long Beach saw the presenting of the 2004 California Scuba Service Award (CSSA). This award was commissioned by Saint Brendan Corporation, parent company of the SCUBA Show and California Diving News, to recognize those who have made significant, long-term positive contributions to the California diving community.
The recipient of the 2004 California Scuba Service Award is Bob Given. Bob has been a certified diver for 40 years, and has over 45 years of diving experience. Throughout his professional career, he has utilized scuba in almost every position since 1957. Since 1966 he has held various positions at the Marine Science Center on Catalina Island, including resident biologist and director. Bob has designed and taught various courses in underwater research techniques; and has also designed specialized equipment and techniques for underwater data gathering. Hundreds of divers, marine biologists and oceanographers have learned from this man. Given, and those he has taught, have changed dramatically our understanding of how the ocean functions.