SCUBA Show 2003 Preview Part 2

THE Diving Event of the Year!
SCUBA Show 2003
Event Preview, Part 2

This part two of the preview article for SCUBA Show 2003 will give you final details on what is called “THE Diving Event of the Year!” This is the largest scuba expo in the Western U.S. and will take place June 21-22 at the Long Beach Convention Center. All underwater enthusiasts should attend.

SCUBA Show 2003 Continuous Film Festival

SATURDAY, JUNE 21
•LAUPS International Underwater Photo Competition Winners 11:00 AM & 2:25 PM
•Light in Motion by Leandro Blanco 11:20 AM & 12:55 PM
•Wide Angle Adventures by Gerry Soifer 11:25 AM & 1:05 PM
•My Favorite 720' Dive by Walter Marti 11:40 AM & 1:15 PM
•Dreams of Black Sea Bass by Herb Gruehagen 11:45 AM & 1:20 PM
•Mysteries of Yucatan by H20 Peak Performance 11:50 AM & 1:30 PM
•Colors of Fiji by Underwater Video Images 12:15 PM & 2:00 PM
•Irian Diving by Craig Andreiko 12:40 PM & 1:40 PM
•California Lobster Diving by Steve Barsky 3:00 PM

SUNDAY, JUNE 22
•Coast Keeper: Regenerating Kelp Forests by Kevin Sullivan 11:00 AM
•Islas de Revillagigedo: Manta Ray Island by Bob Gladden 11:20 AM & 1:15 PM
•San Diego Wreck Alley: Before the Yukon by Bob Gladden 11:35 AM & 1:35 PM
•Dance of the California Sea Lion by Herb Gruehagen 12:00 PM & 1:50 PM
•Papua New Guinea by Underwater Video Images 12:05 PM
•Blue Waltz by Walter Marti 12:40 PM & 2:00 PM
•Mysteries of Yucatan by H20 Peak Performance 12:45 PM & 2:05 PM
•World’s Apart by Underwater Video Images 1:00 PM & 2:15 PM
•LAUPS International Underwater Photo Competition Winners 2:35 PM
•California Lobster Diving by Steve Barsky 3:00 PM

FILM FESTIVAL

A film festival featuring underwater video films from around the world will run continuously all day Saturday and Sunday. Many of this films are premiere videos, shown for the first time at SCUBA Show 2003.

Newcomer to the Film Festival this year is Leandro Blanco with his short film called Light in Motion. Only three minutes long, this film is a must see and will leave you saying—WOW!

The film festival is jammed packed with exotic travel destinations such as Colors of Fiji. Several films by expert Bob Gladden include both exotic and local destinations.

Two different angles of local marine life will be depicted. From Herb Gruehagen you can see the Dreams of Black Sea Bass and from expert Steve Barsky you learn and experience California Lobster Diving.

The Los Angeles Underwater Photographic Society will highlight the winners of their International Underwater Photo competition. These images from around the world represent the best and most unique in several different categories.

EXHIBITS
The largest attraction of the SCUBA Show in numbers and square footage is the 57,000 square foot exhibit hall. Known as the “Largest Dive Expo in the Western United Sates” exhibitors from every aspect of diving can be found. With an overwhelming list of activities, it has come to be known as “The Diving Event of the Year™.”

At the leading edge of the diving season, the manufacturers are able to use this time to introduce new products to the diving public. You can touch, handle, and in many cases get in the pool and try these products yourselves. You can meet face to face with the equipment designers, get tips, give and get advice, and finalize those all important decisions of which item to purchase.

Dive travel representatives are the second largest group in the exhibit hall. They come from all around the world. Many are native to that particular locale and can answer all your questions with their amazing knowledge. Not only can you see the spectacular underwater photography from those locations, you can pick up a great bargain on a vacation that will be a dream come true. Most offer “Show Specials” available only at the SCUBA Show. You can save hundreds, even thousands, planning your next vacation or two at the SCUBA Show.

DEMO TANK/POOL
The demo tank/pool has been a popular attraction the last two years and it’s back with great programs for the young and old. Sponsored by Sport Chalet, non-divers can jump into the heated demo pool and try scuba themselves—FREE. Free introductory scuba lessons will be given periodically throughout show hours. Older boys and girls can try, too. And for the little fish they can try SASY, a genuine scuba rig for surface breathing. It gives the small kids a real taste of what scuba diving is all about.

Sea & Sea DX-3000 digital underwater camera

Underwater camera maker Sea & Sea is also sponsoring the demo tank. You will have the opportunity to try out the latest in underwater digital cameras from Sea & Sea. Actually try the controls underwater and see exactly what the pictures look like after. Make sure to bring your bathing suit!

CASINO PARTY BENEFIT
The social highlight of the weekend is the Casino Party on Saturday evening. The party will begin immediately following the close of the show at 6 p.m. on Saturday night. The party benefits the Catalina Conservancy Divers (CCD), a dedicated group of volunteer divers working to protect and preserve the Catalina Island marine environment. Eighty-eight percent of Catalina Island is under the private non-profit protection of the Catalina Conservancy. The CCD is the marine branch of this important group.

Participants in the Casino Party will enjoy “gaming” into the night, using “funny-money” to play black-jack, roulette, craps, and more. Cashing out at the end of the evening, the high-rollers will then turn in chips for opportunity tickets with the chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes, including dive gear, travel and more. Also, during the evening will be a silent auction where participants can bid on gear, trips, etc., with all the proceeds benefiting the important projects of the Catalina Conservancy Divers. Contributors and sponsors to the Casino Party include Pacific Wilderness, Scuba Schools of America, Sea & Sea, Oceanic, Blackbeard’s Cruises, Santa Catalina Is. Co., Scuba Luv, Horizon Charters, Truth Aquatics, Spectre, California Diving News, and many others. Visit www.ccd.org for a complete list of prizes and silent auction donors.

During the evening there will also be a silent auction with various dive travel packages, gear, trips and more offered up for bidding. There are many bargains, a lot of fun, but most of all, it benefits the Catalina Conservancy Divers.

Entrance to the Casino Party is $20 and includes funny-money (more if you purchase your ticket in advance) and a raffle ticket. Food and drinks will be available for purchase at an additional charge.

CA SCUBA SERVICE AWARD
Climax of the Casino Party is the presenting of the 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 2003 California Scuba Service Award is Bill Wilson. Bill began diving at the age of 17. In the 1950s he became a commercial diver and used his diving skills in the military. Bill became a licensed instructor in the 1960s, and in the early 1970s he became a Founding Charter Member of the California Wreck Divers, which is particularly concerned with wrecks off the California coast. The organization salvaged artifacts from wrecks and restored them using various techniques. They are also an historical organization with interest in uncovering facts about various ship wrecks and preserving the nautical past. Bill has held all offices of the California Wreck Divers club. Besides actively diving the California coast he has dived throughout the world. Bill’s love of history and preservation keeps him active wreck diving. Perhaps his largest contribution is spreading his wealth of knowledge, giving seminars and presentations year ‘round to dive clubs and other groups on his expertise area of wreck diving. Bill is one of the guest speakers at this year’s SCUBA Show presenting on Sat. at 3 p.m.

For complete SCUBA Show information, including advanced registration, see the insert at the center of this issue or visit http://www.saintbrendan.com.