L.A. County Graduation and Awards Banquet — April 7

The Board of Directors of the Los Angeles County Underwater Instructors Association would like to invite you to a special evening. On Saturday, April 7th, 2001, the Los Angeles County Underwater Instructor Association (U.I.A.) will be hosting the annual Underwater Instructor Certification Course (U.I.C.C.) Graduation and Awards banquet. This three-month long Underwater Instructor Certification Course that is sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation will conclude with a celebration dinner to congratulate this year’s newest L.A. County Instructors. A highlight of the ceremony will be the presentation of the prestigious Education Award. The recipient will be former graduate, actress, diving pioneer and this years keynote speaker Zale Parry. This year’s banquet will be held in downtown Los Angeles at The Los Angeles Athletic Club.

A book signing of Zale Parry and Al Tillman’s Scuba America, is open to everyone and will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by the awards dinner at 7:30 p.m.

Zale was not only a graduate of our Los Angles County Underwater Instructor Certification Course (7 UICC), but also was inducted into the NAUI Hall of Honor this last November at NAUI’s 40th Anniversary. All scuba instructors, as well as the general diving public are invited to meet one of the pioneers of scuba diving. The cost for the dinner and awards banquet is $25. For details, contact David Golden at (714) 992-2156 or to RSVP for the awards dinner contact the Underwater Unit at (310) 965-8258.

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Casino Pt. U/W Nature Trail - April 8

Volunteer research divers from the non-profit Catalina Conservancy Divers will once again set up a temporary underwater naturalist trail once a month within the Casino Point Marine Park (Avalon). This is done to help educate the diving community to the dynamics of the unique kelp forest ecosystem. The “trail” is indicated with markers that correlate to a guide to individual animals, mini-habitats, and living situations.
The trail’s mission is to educate the scuba diving public that there are real individual living things underwater and that all humans that venture in and around the ocean are guests and are obligated to show their marine hosts much respect and care.

The first scuba trail will be staged Sunday, April 8. Additional dates for 2001 include June 10, August 19, October 14, and December 9. All trail dates are weather permitting.

For more information visit the Catalina Conservancy Divers website at www.ccd.org.

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Marine Species ID Class - April 8
(note change from previously published date)

The Catalina Conservancy Divers (CCD) is offering a marine species identification class for divers wanting to improve their marine life identification skills. The lecture will take place at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro. Dr. Bob Given, noted marine biologist and former director of the Catalina Marine Science Center, will be giving a slide show lecture. This will be the first of three phases of a scientific research certification class offered in the spring and fall to members of the CCD. Phase II is a slide show quiz on what Dr. Given covers in the lecture, and a talk and discussion on data collecting techniques. Phase III is identification skills check out dives at the Casino Point Underwater Park at Catalina. Divers completing the three phases will be eligible to participate in the key species I.D. project where data is being collected and monitored at seven dive sites around Catalina Island by the CCD.

Phase I (Dr. Bob Givens lecture) is open to the general public for those interested in improving their identification skills and increasing their marine species I.D. vocabulary. There will be a tour of the aquarium following the lecture, where the marine organisms that have been discussed can be viewed. Phase I attendance is free, but a $5 donation to the aquarium at the door is suggested. The lecture will be on Sunday, April 8, at 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Participation in Phase II and III require membership in the CCD. For those interested in membership information in the CCD call Erica at (310) 510-2595 Ext. 114 or for class sign up call Ted at (714) 960-2304 or visit the web site at www.ccd.org.

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Aquatic Conference - April 17

The First Annual Aquatic Conference hosted by the San Diego Association for Lifeguards (SDAL) will take place April 17. A wide variety of aquatic groups will be represented including swimmers, divers, surfers, kayakers and more. The purpose of this event is to bring the aquatic community together on issues such as clean water education and safety. The Conference will take place a the Catamaran Hotel on Mission Bay, San Diego at 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Interested parties should e-mail eharris@yahoo.com.

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Newport Harbor Cleanup - April 28

On April 28 at 8 a.m., D.I.V.E.R.S. is cosponsoring an underwater cleanup event with the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce during the Newport Harbor Clean Harbor Day in Newport Beach. Meeting at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum (151 E. Pacific Coast Hwy.), divers will scour the underwater area in search of discarded debris. Family fun, games for the kids, other environmental exhibits and a live audio visual hookup with divers under the museum will provide awareness and education. A free lunch will be provided for volunteers. Contact Martin at (714) 871-8208.

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Chamber Day/Evening - May 2

Two events, one day, benefiting the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber. For full details see the article on page 18 or call (310) 652-4990 or visit www.chamberday.org on the web.

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Tech Conference - May 12, 13

Technical Diving International (TDI) will hold a Tech Conference in San Diego on May 12 and 13. Guest speakers include Bret Gilliam, Joe Odom, Dick Long and other industry professionals. Seminar topics include advanced technical diving techniques, mixed gas, decompression procedures, and advanced wreck diving. Optional certification dives will be available May 14-16 on the wreck of the Yukon. Participants will have the opportunity to complete diver or instructor level ratings in advanced nitrox, decompression procedures, and advanced wreck diving. For more information, contact TDI headquarters at (888) 778-9073 or visit their website at www.tdisdi.com.

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3Rs Workshops - May 12, May 19

Rocks, Reefs and Rips program (3Rs) is a half-day course designed to familiarize divers with popular beach dive sites and improve their beach diving skills. The first sessions of the year will take place May 12 at Leo Carrillo Beach in Los Angeles County and May 19 at Hospital Pt., San Diego County. More sessions are planned.

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.)

The courses are staged in the morning. A donation is suggested. The San Diego 3Rs are staged by the San Diego Council of Divers, San Diego Lifeguards, and various area dive clubs. For information on the San Diego workshops, contact Steve Haynes at (619) 222-7866 or on the web at www.egroups.com/group/rocks-rips-reefs. For last minute changes in the San Diego schedule and/or locations, call (619) 221-8824.

The Los Angeles and Orange County workshops are 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, visit the GLACD web site at www.glacd.org or call (310) 379-5681.

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