And, oh, what a season it's going to be!
Divers will encounter dancing sea lions, one-quarter ton sea bass, and massive schools of silver fish! Shouldn't you be one of them? Do it several times! Or am I just preaching to the choir? If you know any friends that have been dry awhile, give them a call today and make dive plans. Even better yet, take an uninitiated friend diving for the first time.
Divers will also find peace. We've all worked hard this winter and spring. We deserve a break. Nothing relaxes more than being weightless underwater. In our hectic days in front of computers, on freeways and cellulars ringing, it's nice to know there is a quiet kelp forest to retreat to. Computers (at least the desktop variety), freeways and cellulars do not and cannot exist underwater. Escape. Do it now. Do it this weekend. Book reservations today.
And, oh, the beach barbecues! Closing my eyes, I can smell the fresh fish and abalone on the camp fire. A diving safari along the coast or to the islands would be just the perfect vacation.
This year, more than any year in the past, make plans and reservations in advance. There are also a lot of diving events, many unique to this year, you'll not want to miss. Here are just a few:
• Dive an oil rig: With the push for the passing of SB241, a state bill that would allow the conversion of old oil rigs to permanent artificial reefs, many of the oil companies have relaxed restrictions on diving the rigs. Look for trips to oil rigs in the California Scuba Calendar section of this publication. For info on SB241, visit www.preservereefs.org on the web. These are advanced dives so plan accordingly.
• National Scuba Month and Dive-In Day: June is National Scuba Month (so declared by the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association or DEMA) with June 11 as National Dive-In Day. Call (619) 234-0345 or h-heads.com on the web.
• SCUBA Show 2000: Enlarged this year by 20 percent, this annual dive expo, the largest in the Western U.S., will be the most exciting ever. June 3 & 4 at the Long Beach Convention Center. Call (310) 793-2333 or saintbrendan.com on the web.
• Great American Fish Count: Taking place the first two weeks in July, this is a diver's chance to make a special dive into a contribution to science as well. On the web at fishcount.org.
• Sinking of the Yukon: Imagine a warship longer than the length of a football field to explore, inside and out, off the coast of San Diego. As of July 15 it will be a reality. This is a must dive. Visit hmcs-yukon.org on the web.
It's going to be a great season for diving! Don't be left behind!
