 Dear Mark,
Let's Go Diving!
The Dive N' Surf Dive Team packs each month with a:
Dive Team Boat Dive - Begg Rock, San Nic, Santa Barbara July 10, 11
Dive Team Meeting - Our very own Chris, Kathy and Laila talk about their recent expedition to the Andrea Doria! on July 21
Dive Team Beach Dive - Veteran's Park July 24
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| Boat Dive- July 10 and 11
I CAN'T BELIEVE SPOTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE
Begg Rock, San Nicholas Island, and Santa Barbara Island!
Join Dive N' Surf for our second TWO DAY trip of the year to Begg Rock, San Nic and Santa Barbara island.
 San Nicholas Island and Begg Rock encompasses more than 63,000 marine acres approximately 45 miles off Redondo's coast. The island is owned by the Navy, but a dazzling array of marine life rules the local ocean offshore. Begg Rock majestically rises 300 feet from the ocean floor, a castle spire for an astonishing aquatic kingdom. Dense kelp forests dominate the landscape, providing sustenance and refuge to California sheephead, vibrantly colored rockfish, kelp fish and cabezons. Rocky reefs feature huge scallops and dens for California spiny lobsters. Sea lions, harbor seals and elephant seals enjoy hunting and swimming nearby, often hauling out on the island for rest and relaxation. ( http://www.cacoastkeeper.org/document/factsheet_asbs21.pdf)
 Santa Barbara Island....also known as 'The Island of the Sea Lion', also offers clear water and incredible invertebrate life. Though small in stature, Santa Barbara boasts a large rookery of California sea lions that provide hours of endless interaction!
Young pups sun themselves on the surface while adults speed through dense kelp beds and over the rocky reefs below. Keep your eyes open and watch your back -- harbor seals also live here and seem to enjoy sneaking up to scare the heck out of you while diving and snorkeling. Angel sharks and bat rays are easily found throughout the island's scattered sand flats.
Kayaking Santa Barbara is an experience as the sea lions enjoy frolicking in close proximity and you'll quite often find dozens of pups peering at you from all sides! Divers, if you enjoy dramatic terrain and depth youwill want to dive the outside of Sutil Island, Black Caverns and the Underwater Arch. In season, lobster diving can be excellent. While white seabass and yellowtail prowl the outer edges of the kelp forests in search of a baitfish meal. Plus the underwater spectacle of thousands of brittlestars, arms outstretched for a detritus meal...it is hard to fathom the sheer numbers of brittlestars that carpet the bottom of many of the dive sites! Santa Barbara Island is part of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary with 1/3 of it's aquatic area designated a reserve, off limits for hunting.
Beginner to advanced divers will enjoy all that Santa Barbara Island offers. You will find that we visit here on 2 - 4 day dive and eco adventures.
Santa Barbara Island, "The Island of the Sea Lion"! |
| Team Meeting - July 21
Andrea Doria
Laila Richard, Chris Gini, Kathy Mallon
DNS Staff Share Their Experiences Diving the SS Andrea Doria + Learn About Dive Opportunities at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
If you've been reading the SCUBA boards or other online news sources lately, you may have heard about the recent recovery of one of the bronze bells on the SS Andrea Doria, the famed Italian ocean liner that sunk off the coast of Massachusetts in 1956. Well, three Dive N Surf staff members - Assistant Instructor Laila Richard and Divemasters Kathy Mallon and Chris Gini - were on board the dive boat that recovered the bell last month. On Wednesday night, July 21, Laila, Kathy, and Chris will share at the Dive N Surf dive team meeting pictures and stories from their amazing dives on the Andrea Doria. The team will describe the training they endured to prepare for their two days of diving on this world-class wreck and share what diving on a 637-foot, 29,100-ton ocean liner is really like. As Laila says, "It's longer than two football fields -- crazy big shipwreck!!!" The SS Andrea Doria sunk on July 26, 1956, after it collided in heavy fog with a small passenger liner, the MS Stockholm. The Stockholm gouged a hole in the Andrea Doria, sinking it nearly 11 hours later. More than 1,600 passengers and crew were saved but 46 people died in the accident. The wreck now lies 90 miles offshore at a depth of about 200 feet. The remote location of the shipwreck plus heavy currents and fog common in the area make this one of the most challenging dive sites in the world. To read more about the Andrea Doria and the important discovery of the bronze bell, go to: http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/bell-from-famed-wreck-of-andrea-doria-discovered-0312.  In addition to the Andrea Doria presentation, Long Beach Aquarium Dive Team Leader and Dive N Surf Instructor Gary Sterling will discuss local volunteer dive opportunities that you can get involved in this summer. These include diving in the exhibits at the Long Beach Aquarium, working with Reef Check California, and other scientific diving opportunities. Learn how to get involved in these rewarding dives that are supported through grants and donations. The dive team meeting will be held at Lou-E-Luey's Banquet Hall on the International Boardwalk in Redondo Beach, between Naja's Bar and Delzano's restaurant -- and just across from the Pacific Star dive boat. Park in the Redondo Beach Marina lot (enter on Harbor Drive across from Gold's Gym). Parking validation is available. Admission to the meeting is $11, and includes a taco bar buffet dinner. Check-in begins at 6:15 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and the presentations start at 7:15 p.m. A cash bar will be open for beverage purchases. This event is open to the public. Everyone attending receives a free raffle ticket for Dive N' Surf door prizes. A second, $2 raffle will be held for a great SCUBA prize.
SAVE THE DATES! Upcoming dive team meertings on:
August 18 -- Dive Team Member Photo and Video Contest
Sept. 25 -- Int'l Beach Clean-Up and Splash Party!
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| Team Dive - July 24
Veteran's Park - All Skill Levels Welcome
Summer is officially here. Let's go diving.
I welcome all, specially those who want more confidence in beach entry and exits. Along with other Dive N' Surf Instructional Staff, I will share tips that I have picked up over the years getting in and out of the surf at Veteran's Park. Terry Anderson |
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Follow the Dive N' Surf Dive Team on Faceook
 Let us know where you will be diving or debriefing...Post local conditions...find a last minute buddy,
You may CLICK on the link below or send a Friend Request to idive@divenurf.com
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