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Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber director Karl Huggins (left) receives a “check” from Chamber Day/Eve chairmen Billy Wright (center) and Ken Kurtis (right).
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Chamber Day/Eve Sets Record at $90,149
Chamber Day/Eve 2005, held on May 4, was a resounding success, raising $90,149 for the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber, a new record for the event. This year, 351 divers participated in the daytime diving (including those on the Flying Dutchman) and 395 diners attended the evening event at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. When the number of event volunteers are added in, Chamber Day/Eve involves roughly 1000 divers , making it the largest single-day scuba charity event in the United States.
A popular aspect with everyone this year was the event logo (designed by local diver/artist Ken Niles), done up in the style of Catalina tile, and featured on all Chamber Day/Eve products. Event chairman Ken Kurtis reports that “...we’ve also had almost 30 orders so far for the full tile murals, exceeding our wildest dreams. We can still accept some late orders but we’ll have to be cutting it off soon.” Cost of the full mounted mural is $500.
Since Chamber Day/Eve represents a major source of annual funding for the Chamber, it’ll be happening again next year. So mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 3 - Chamber Day/Eve 2006.
To order tiles and catch a late ride on the Flying Dutchman (great exclusive shirt!) visit www.chamberday.org.
Ab Diver Cooperation Sought
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is advising abalone divers that it may take extra effort to punch out holes, as required by law, on 2005 Abalone Permit Report Cards. Perforations around the punch holes were inadvertently omitted when the 2005 Abalone Permit Report Cards were printed.
As a result, DFG is asking divers to remove the punched section from the Abalone Permit Report Card in one of the designated locations using scissors, a hole punch, or other suitable means. Divers should be sure to cut out and remove the entire punch hole and number corresponding to each abalone taken.
For information about abalone visit the DFG web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/abalone.html.
Entries Requested for Film Exhibition
Entries are now being accepted for the 6th annual San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition (SDUFEX). This festival is scheduled for October 15 and 16th, 2005 at the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park. Deadline for submissions is July 1, 2005. For full details and guidelines call (858) 695-0264 or e-mail ovisions@san.rr.com or Steve Douglas at (619) 464-4505 or e-mail steve-sharksdelight@cox.net.
Cen Cal Squid Runs
For Southern California divers, squid run action had died down but for Central California divers, it is just getting going. Huge schools of market squid, each about 4 to 6 inches long, rise from the depths and mate in mass congregations December through March off Southern California and May and June off Monterey. Full moon is best. The next best opportunity will be during the week of June 22 off the coast of Monterey.
Help a Diving Family
On June 28, 2003, one of the Dive N’ Surf/Body Glove family suffered an unimaginable tragedy. Travis Robinson, the 19-year-old son of John "Jocko" Robinson - an icon in Southern California diving, broke his neck. It changed his life forever. Today, Travis is paralyzed from the neck down and is confined to a wheelchair. He requires constant attention. Travis will never be a varsity football player again, or go scuba diving with his dad, but technology and recent new research has given victims of severe spinal cord injuries like Travis, new hope.
For over 30 years, Jocko has been helping the scuba diving community. Now, it’s our turn to help Travis and the Robinson Family. How can you help? Buy an INSPIRE HOPE – HELP TRAVIS Blue Wristband; Come to one of our scheduled fund-raising events, Series of Specialty Classes – June 20 to June 26; or Visit www.helptravis.org, donate money, and send Travis a message.
The goal is to raise over $100,000 for ground-breaking surgery and care that will help to give Travis function of his limbs and give him hope again. Please visit www.helptravis.org for more information on Specialty Classes, Golf Tournament, Dive Boats, Splash Parties, Hard Hat Dive Days and other fund-raising events to benefit Travis.
Donations and charitable contributions can be made through the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation (www.JimmyMillerFoundation.org) for the benefit of Travis Robinson.
L A County Awards
The Los Angeles County's 52nd Underwater Instructor Certification Course and General Awards Banquet was held April 2nd at The Los Angeles Athletic Club to recognize this years graduates as well as honor local contributions to the dive community. Congratulations to the graduates of 52 UICC: Robert Atchinson, Louis Emile, Dave Harper, Salim Jordan, Rebekah Mills, James Reinheimer, Shannon Sullivan and Tom Weber.
The following awards were also presented to this year’s deserving recipients. UICC Awards: Outstanding Watermanship, James Reinheimer; Outstanding Academics, Tom Weber; and Outstanding Graduate, Dave Harper. LA County Underwater Instructors Association Awards: Education Award, Paul Meister; Golden Snorkel, Kevin Liu; Presidents Award, Jim McMicken; Safety Award, Ken Kurtis and Billy Wright of Reef Seekers; and Outstanding Instructor, Tim Tarry. LA County Department of Parks and Recreation Service Awards: Bill Lidyoff and Pat Burke.
For more information about Los Angeles County programs, go to www.lascuba.com. The Advanced Diver Program starts in 10 July.
Aloha Dive to Simi Valley
Aloha Dive has been a source of scuba knowledge and camaraderie in San Fernando Valley since 1998. In 2004, Aloha was welcomed into Santa Clarita Valley and now into the Simi Valley.
Aloha Dive is a full retail, service, repair and rental facility featuring Atomic, Diving Concepts, Henderson, Oceanic, ScubaPro, Xcel and many more! Air and Nitrox fills for either the recreational or tech diver are also available. All three Aloha Dive locations are certified as a Scuba Schools International (SSI) Platinum Dive Training Facility providing instruction from your first in-water experience through professional career training. Under the skilled leadership of Chris Russello, SSI Master Instructor/Instructor Certifier, all the instructors at Aloha Dive pride themselves on being safe divers and teaching new divers to respect safety precautions.
Come see the new Aloha Dive Simi Valley location, 3885 Cochran Street (Tapo Canyon and 118 Fwy), Monday – Friday, 11AM – 7PM; Saturday, 10AM – 6PM. For information call 805-581-DIVE or visit www.dive-aloha.com.
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