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Great American Fish Count - Count July 1-14
Volunteer divers are invited to participate in the Great American Fish Count (GAFC) the first two weeks of July. Participants receive training in local fish identification in an easy to learn survey method developed by fish ecologists. By recording their observations in a standardized method, divers and snorkelers assist resource managers in identifying trends in fish populations and distributions, as well as heightening public awareness about these issues.
Since 1992, the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary have been the primary focus areas for the event.
The GAFC is a cooperative effort between NOAA, the Channel Islands National Park and a number of non-profit organizations including REEF (Reef Environmental Educational Foundation), Marine Conservation Network, and American Oceans Campaign.
For complete information, on the fish count, call 800-8ocean0 or visit the web site www.fishcount.org.
LA County Advanced Diver Program (ADP) - Starts July 7
The need to provide a continuing education and training program for the recreational scuba diver in the Southern California area, the Los Angeles County Underwater Instructors Association, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, established the Advanced Diver Program in 1964.
The program objective is to improve diving skills and expand diving knowledge, with an emphasis on the Southern California diving environment.
Combining lectures from experts in their field with pool and ocean labs, the candidates are provided with a learning environment to increase the students’ safety and enjoyment in our local ocean surroundings.
The ADP program is conducted annually with participants receiving over 100 hours of training including a minimum of 14 open water dives.
This year’s ADP programs starts July 7 and culminates with a graduation banquet in September. For more information, call L.A. County Underwater Instructor Association Vice President Pat Burke at (818) 525-0225. More information is available on the UIA website at www.LASCUBA.com.
3Rs Beach Diving Workshops - July 7, August 4, 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.
Los Angeles and Orange county sessions will take place: July 7, Reef Point (Orange County); August 11, Point Dume (Los Angeles County); September 8, Long Point (Los Angeles County); October 6, White Point (Los Angeles County).
In addition, a series of seven 3Rs courses will be staged in San Diego County. They are: July 7 at North Bird Rock, August 4 at Marine Room, August 25 at Alligator Head (La Jolla Cove), September 8 at South Casa (Children’s Pool).
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 beginning at 8 a.m. 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.groups.yahoo.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 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, go to www.glacd.org or call (310) 379-5681.
Gold Star Dive — July 14
The Fourth Annual Gold Star Dive on Catalina Island at the Casino Point Underwater Park will be held on July 14. This event is sponsored by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Athletic Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, 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.
The Stars are hidden underwater and made of solid chocolate. Participants who find a Star will return the number for a prize. Those numbers not found will be raffled off, along with non-diver prizes.
Participants and donors will pay a fee of $25 until June 14, 2001, $35 thereafter. The first 150 persons will each receive a free commemorative T-shirt the day of the event at Wrigley Plaza in downtown Avalon. T-shirts, hot dogs, and sodas will be available for sale. For further information, call (310) 510-0174, or e-mail klclevel@lasd.org.
CA Wreck Divers Evening with Dick Anderson - July 26
California Wreck Divers, Inc., in conjunction with The Adventures’ Club, will host Dick Anderson as he presents his incredible film, Gold from the Winfield Scott, at the club’s July 26 meeting in Los Angeles.
Anderson, best known for his books on gold diving and his work with Skin Diver magazine, is one of the first scuba divers in the United States and holds Los Angeles County Underwater Instructor card #27. He has logged countless hours throughout the world as both a sport and commercial diver and was instrumental in the design and testing of several early regulators and other types of underwater equipment.
His film, Gold from the Winfield Scott, was originally shot on 16mm film and captured “Film of the Year” award at the International Underwater Film Festival. It will be shown in its entirety and personally narrated by Anderson, who brandishes his own unique sense of humor.
The event will be held at The Adventurers’ Club headquarters located at 2433 N. Broadway, Los Angeles. There is no charge for the evening’s entertainment which will be begin promptly at 8 p.m.. The public is also invited to enjoy dinner prior to the show which will be served in The Adventurers’ Club dining room at 7 p.m. Cost of the dinner is $12 and reservations must be made at least three days in advance by calling (323) 223-3948. More information may be obtained by logging-on to the web site at www.cawreckdivers.org.
Imaging Workshops — Aug. 10-12
Light & Motion, manufacturer of high-end underwater imaging equipment, is now leading the way in education. Long recognized for pioneering innovative underwater imaging equipment, Light & Motion makes a plunge into education by sponsoring workshops, seminars and photo shoot-outs. Monterey will be the location of the workshop offered August 10-12.
At Light & Motion they believe everyone, novice and pro alike can enjoy the thrill of underwater imaging. Seminars and workshops offer instruction for all levels, including essential techniques for shooting great underwater video and digital photographs, making the most of your digital photographs using software programs and the world wide web, digital video editing, and housing maintenance. Shoot-out competitions offer a chance to test newly learned skills. Contest judges and other professional photographers help critique your images and give tips for improving your work before you submit your favorite shot. The beauty and exquisite color of the underwater environment inspired many of the industry firsts from Light & Motion; workshops and contests are just another way they plan to share their passion with fellow photographers and videographers.
For workshop details, contact Light & Motion at 831-645-1525, www.uwimaging.com.
Save the Date:
August 24-26: Sonoma County Dive Rescue Symposium. Call 707-584-2323 or email rpdced@sonic.net.
September 15: International Coastal Cleanup Day. Call 800-CMC-BEACH or www.scubarangers.com on the web.
September 22: Cabrillo Chocolate Lobster Dive, San Pedro. Call 310-548-7562 or www.cabrilloaq.org.
