Rescheduled Avalon U/W Cleanup Fun for All

The 20th Annual Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup really did take place on April 1. Originally scheduled for February 26, the event was rescheduled when a bad storm caused a sewer line to break into the Avalon Harbor.

After Mother Nature washed the harbor clean, it was time to really clean the harbor. Approximately 300 divers arrived in Avalon early Saturday morning ready to find treasure. Some did and some didn't, though each person has their own definition of treasure.

In total 2,115 pounds of trash was brought up&emdash;including a 1910 penny by Lennard Willhite and Roy Calderon, a full bottle of tequila (worm included), by Michael Smith and a solid gold class ring from Texas A & M by Dale Sheckler.

In addition to the wonderful door prizes and raffle prizes donated by a large variety of companies, special awards were handed out, including the ever popular "Ken Kurtis Silver Tongue (BS) Award." The winner had a detailed story detailing how one diver lost his dog "Sparky." The Golden Flipper award was presented to Tina Kennedy by last year's recipient Dale Sheckler.

The cleanup netted approximately $9,200, which will be equally split between the Catalina Conservancy Divers and the USC Hyperbaric Chamber.

Catalina Divers Supply, located in the City of Avalon on Catalina Island, announces their new dive boat, the Scuba Cat. Scheduled to begin operations in May, the all fiberglass 46-foot Newton dive boat will have state-of-the-art electronics, enabling them to easily put you on the dive site. Twin 375 V-8 Caterpillar engines propel the boat at a cruising speed of 22 knots, making most of Catalina's dive sites only minutes away.

The boat will be complete with camera table, camera rinse tank, three showers, two ladders, and tank racks for 72 tanks. Aluminum 80s and 50s will be provided along with soft weights. Full gear rental is available. Scuba Cat will run seven days a week, year-round (four-person minimum with reservations).

Reservations are now being taken for trips around Catalina, San Clemente and Santa Barbara Islands. Hotel and dive excursion packages are available. Call 800-353-0330 for reservations.