Catalina Conservancy Divers Research Diver Training — begins June 6
CCD’s bi-annual training in subtidal species identification and monitoring is scheduled to begin on June 6 at 12:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro. There will be a slide show/power point presentation and lecture by Dr. Roy Houston, professor at Loyola Marymount University and member of the CCD scientific advisory board, followed by a walk-through of the Aquarium. The presentation is free of charge, and the public is encouraged to attend. For those interested in obtaining their CCD Research Diver Certification, a species identification check out dive will take place at Casino Point, Avalon, on Sat. June 19, followed by a data collection/protocol & procedure check out dive on Sun. June 27. Cost for Catalina Conservancy membership, and books/materials for the Research Diver Certification is $150.00. Please see www.ccd.org under “Training” for more details, or e-mail diver training team leader Don Robarge at divebum22@webtv.net.

3Rs Beach Diving Workshops — June 12, July 10 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: June 12 at White Point (Los Angeles County), July 10 at Point Dume (Los Angeles County), and August 14 at Deer Creek Road (Ventura County). Additional workshops are planned through late summer and early fall.

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.)

All classes begin at 8 a.m. but participants should arrive at 7:45 for registration. Registration for the classes is $5 but is waived with GLACD membership ($15 per year).

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, visit the GLACD web site at www.glacd.org.

Gold Star Dive — July 10
The 7th Annual Gold Star Dive on Catalina Island at the Casino Point Underwater Park will be held on July 10. The event is hosted by the Avalon Sheriff’s Station and sponsored by 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.

Scuba divers and skin divers will search for the Gold Stars in depths between 10 feet and 50 feet. The Gold Stars will measure approximately five inches by five inches, vacuum-packed, numbered, and made of solid chocolate. The Gold Stars will be placed among the rock formations in the Casino Dive Park. Divers will have an hour and a half to search for the Gold Stars. Participants who find a Gold Star will return the number to the check-in table for a prize. Those numbers not found will be raffled off, along with non-diver prizes.

All scuba divers must be certified and attend a pre-dive briefing at Casino Point prior to the event. T-shirts, hot dogs, and sodas will be available for sale. For further information, call (310) 510-0174, or e-mail klclevel@lasd.org.

L.A. Co. Advanced Diver Program — begins July 10
Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Underwater Instructors Association, has announced dates for the 2004 Advanced Diver Program (ADP). Beginning July 10, local divers can take part in this wholly unique diving program that is designed specifically with California divers in mind. Participants will be exposed to the skills that will create a more confident and well-informed diver in a practical hands-on environment. With over 20 ocean dives planned and led by a staff of experienced instructors, the opportunity to have a great time and become better divers has never been easier. In addition, participants will meet with and learn from some of the most influential and respected people in diving today. Toss in a couple of barbecues, the best diving in Southern California, and the chance to make new diving buddies and you have the makings of something special. For more details and to sign-up, contact the LA County Underwater Unit at 310-965-828 or e-mail adpinfo@lascuba.com. For information visit http://www.lascuba.com online.