S
CUBA
Show Expanding in 2000
The annual SCUBA Show convention will be expanding in 2000 with more exhibitors, parking space and better facilities. The SCUBA Show is moving from the Queen Mary to a much larger facility across the bay at the Long Beach Convention Center. SCUBA Show 2000 will take place June 3 and 4.
The Long Beach Convention Center holds a number of advantages:
• More available close-by parking for better convenience to attendees
• A larger exhibit hall for more exhibitors, increased special exhibits, and special functions and activities.
• Better services at a professionally operated convention hall.
• Close proximity to Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific (1 block), and dive charter and pleasure boat harbors (less than 1 block).
• Close proximity to downtown Long Beach offering a large variety of services, hotel accommodations, restaurants and shopping.
• The Long Beach Convention Center is home to the largest mural in the world; a massive 11-story high painting depicting the underwater world of the California Pacific. Painted by the world famous artist Wyland, the mural completely surrounds the "arena" portion of the Convention Center.
Show producer Dale Sheckler stated, "We are enthusiastic about the expansion of the SCUBA Show both in the positive effects for dive business, divers, and the public in general." Dale went on to add, "While leaving the Queen Mary was a difficult decision, it was made easier by the fact that the Queen Mary was no longer accommodating the needs of the SCUBA Show, its exhibitors and attendees." Parking had become a problem and was expected to get worse with a major construction project. Additional factors included exhibits filled to capacity with a waiting list and the Queen Mary exhibit hall filled to capacity with attendees. "We are ready to grow," added Dale.
"Reaction to the expansion has been very positive," states Sheckler. "We anticipate more exhibitors and attendees participating than ever before." Also in the works are a number of special displays to further enhance the show. Details will be announced at a later date.
"THE Diving Event of the Year!™", as it has become known will take place June 3 and 4, 2000 at the Long Beach Convention Center. SCUBA Show 2000 is a production of Saint Brendan Corp. For information or a full packet when it becomes available, send your postal address to Box 11231, Torrance, CA 90510 or e-mail your postal address to mail@saintbrendan.com. Companies interested in exhibiting should call (310) 792-2333.
The 2nd annual Chocolate Lobster Dive was a huge success with 403
divers participating, an increase of 39% from last year. At 10 a.m.
on September 25 scuba divers and snorkelers ventured into chilly
waters off Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, California to gather the
illusive Chocolate Lobster. The chunks of rich chocolate, molded in
the shape of a lobster and vacuum packed in plastic, came complete
with a numbered metal prize that indicated whether or not the lobster
"hunter" had won a prize. There where over $36,000 in prizes varying
from dive travel to a kayak to expensive dive gear. Successful
chocolate lobster hunters also got to keep their catches, a limit of
two chocolate lobsters apiece.
The event was made a success by contributions of time and effort of many volunteers and the contributions by businesses, both local to San Pedro and diving related.
Proceeds from the event benefit Cabrillo Marine Aquarium's Spring Outdoor Classroom, teaching 36,000 children about the marine environment. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation Parks, but is dependent upon donations. The aquarium is located at 3720 Stephen White Drive, San Pedro, CA 90731. For more information about the aquarium call (310) 548-7562. Next year's Chocolate Lobster Dive will take place September 23.
Sport Chalet, Inc. has announced the addition of the newest technology for visual inspections, the Visual Plus machine, into all 20 dive shops, along with the SCUBA repair facility.
Visual Plus is a device that electronically inspects the internal threads of a Scuba cylinder. The Visual Plus inspection system is an enhancement to the standard visual inspection process, utilizing eddy currents to detect small cracks in the cylinder neck that the human eye might otherwise miss.
Jason Gautereaux, Director of Scuba for Sport Chalet states, "The Visual Plus machine provides our customers and employees with peace of mind, knowing that their cylinder is being inspected with the latest and most sophisticated equipment available to the recreational Scuba market."
Mark Olguin, President of advanced Inspection Technologies said "Sport Chalet has always taken a pro-active approach to safety, being an integral part of the research team for the development of the Visual Plus system, they have once again demonstrated their commitment to Scuba safety."
Sport Chalet is a leading operator of full service specialty sporting goods superstores in Southern California, offering thousand of sporting and recreational products and over 35 services for the serious sports enthusiast, including full dive training and certification programs and SCUBA charters through its 21 locations. Sport Chalet's newest store is located at 19817 Rinaldi Street, Porter Ranch, CA.
For a store near you, visit their website at www.sportchalet.com.
Divers' Discount Supply invites you to their instructor guided weekly night dive. The guided dives take place each Monday at 8:30 p.m. at Diver's Cove in Laguna Beach (weather permitting). Beverages and a beach barbecue will be provided. Get more information at www.DiversDiscount.com or call 800-34-SCUBA to reserve your spot.
Laguna Sea Sports, was established in 1963 "by divers for divers" located in Laguna Beach, CA and has been in continuous operation supporting the excellent beach diving off of Orange County. In the 26 years of operation Laguna Sea Sports is going through one of its most significant changes. Sally E. Santmeyer who with her late husband Al started the business is now retiring and has passed Laguna Sea Sports on to new owners.
Long time NAUI Instructor Gordon Boivin, his wife Tammy and their son Konner are extremely excited about carrying on and enhancing the long history established by Laguna Sea Sports. The Boivins family goal is to re-establish Laguna Sea Sports as the focal point for all divers using the beaches in Orange County. They will continue to carry a recognized branded name product line at competitive pricing. There will be increased support for of the Laguna Sea Dwellers, their own dive club, as well as all other dive clubs. There will also be an increase in the of emphasis of support for the diving family and their kids as well as the single diver. The equipment wash area will be enhanced for all divers to use.
Laguna Sea Sports is located 1.7 miles north of Main Beach in Laguna Beach at 925 N. Coast Highway or on the web at www.scuba-superstore.com. Divers are also invited to call the store at 949-494-6965 for an up-to-date dive condition report.
After 25 years at 22nd Street Landing San Pedro, Charisma Charters will be moving to Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach. The new location is directly adjacent to the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, as well as near Shoreline Village and the Long Beach Convention Center.
Charisma Charters is the oldest continuous dive charter operator in Southern California having begun operations in 1956. The operation was begun by Roger Hess and is now conducted by his son, Kenny Hess.
The Encore is his current vessel, one of the newest and largest live-aboard dive charter boats on the West Coast. The Encore measures a spacious 80 feet long by 25 feet wide and features amenities like state rooms, four hot water showers, gourmet meals, and TV/VCR. The Encore serves all the Channel Islands, as well as offshore banks.
For more information, call (310) 541-1025 or e-mail diveboat@flash.net.
SCUBA Show, Talk Radio for Your Underwater World™ will take a break until spring of 2000. October 30 is the last show for 1999. It will air 6 to 7 a.m. on KPLS, AM830.
"A number of unexpected family obligations have lead us to this decision," stated show producer and host Dale Sheckler. "To have continued the show would have placed too much pressure on us, or worse, neglect to our family and extended families." The show was co-hosted by Dale's wife Kim Sheckler.
"We sincerely hope to be back on the air by early spring," said Kim. Dale and Kim Sheckler are also publishers and editors of California Diving News. "We will notify listeners of our exact restart date in a future issue of California Diving News,"
SCUBA Show, Talk Radio for Your Underwater World™ is a production of Saint Brendan Corporation, 310-792-2333 or on the web at www.saintbrendan.com.
Big
Bugs Come in at Contest
The Dive N' Surf 23rd Annual Lobster Mobster Contest took place opening night. Hundreds of lobsters were brought in, many very large but the winners went to Todd Natow with a 10.2 pound lobster at Dive N' Surf, Redondo Beach and a whopping 12 pound, 5 ounce lobster by Robbert Bruins in Dana Point. Taking second place were Michelle Yarborough (8.64 pounds at Redondo Beach) and Brian Newville (9 pounds, 10 ounces at Dana Point). And in third place were Kenneth Hans at Redondo Beach (8.57 pounds) and Kevin Anderson in Dana Point (8 pounds, 15.5 ounces).
Dive N' Surf has been serving divers since 1953. It has 2 full
service dive stores, one in Dana Point and the original in Redondo
Beach. The 24th Annual Lobster Mobster Contest will take place
opening night 2000.
