Ken Kurtis
Contributor
Rain, Trash, Avalon Cleanup, & more
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I was at the UCLA/Utah basketball game Saturday afternoon. Painful result to say the least, but an amazingly exciting finish . . .
RAIN ALTERS PLANS - This off-and-on rain over the last few days certainly hasn't helped things, at least not as far as beach diving is concerned. Some of the boats were able to get out over the weekend but the shore-based diving was less-than-ideal. This is where a resource like the Redondo Beach live cam really helps, because you can get a sense of things before you trudge on down there. If you don't already have it bookmarked, here's the link: Redondo Beach live cam . There's also a second private cam a little further down (near the Topaz Jetty) that also gives you a good real-time view of things:Dave & Kathy's Topaz Jetty cam. Both good resources to have.
TRASH IN THE OCEAN - One of the things we talk about when we're giving presentations at the Aquarium of the Pacific is trash in the ocean and what a problem that is. As Nemo taught us: All storm drains lead to the ocean. The storm-drain/trash connection has been abundantly clear during the last month or so and nowhere more obvious than Seal Beach. The L.A. Times has a good article about this (and other beaches) a few days ago and you can read it here: Trash at the beach - L.A. Times.
AVALON CLEANUP ADVANCE REGISTRATION DEADLINE THIS WEEK - If you're joining us for the Avalon Underwater Cleanup on Saturday, February 23, the deadline for pre-registration is this Thursday. Cost to go with us is $150 which covers RT Catalina Express, taxi pickup at the Mole to the green Pier (our trash station), event registration (be sure to include your t-shirt size), gear storage post-event, and knowing you're performing a good deed. Give us a call at 310/652-4990 if you want to join in on the effort.
DIVERS DAY IS ON THE HORIZON AS WELL - That's the annual free day at the Aquarium of the Pacific where your certification card gets you in at no charge. The date is Saturday, March 9, and we'll have more info for you down the road.
LOOKING FORWARD TO INDONESIA - We're going back July 6-17 and diving with our good friends at Murex Dive Resorts. We've been going through air skeds (some decent deals on Singapore Air and United) and running general plans through our minds. We currently have six people going so this trip is a firm "GO" and we can add more if you're interested. Land portion (double-occupancy room, diving air or nitrox, meals, airport transfers, a day in the Lembeh Strait, and crew tip) is $2,995. Economy airfare can be had currently for as little as $1,300. Feel free to call or e-mail for more info.
WANT TO SEE A FREE MOVIE? - Bill Macdonald is hosting a free screening of film-maker Chris Jordan's movie "Alabatross" next Saturday, 5:30-8:30PM, in Building H at the Angel's Gate Cultural Center in San Pedro. The movie details the plight of the Laysan Albatross on Midway Island (we visited there in 1998 and saw a lot of this) and really underscores the issue of trash in the ocean and the devastating effect it can have on wildlife. There's no ticket required so you can just show up if you're interested. You can view the trailer here: Albatross movie trailer.
GENTLE REMINDER, ESPECIALLY FOR THE GUYS - Thursday is Valentine's Day. "You don't have to get me anything" may not be a 100% truthful statement so just a word to the wise.
And that'll do it for now. Have a great week, and let's go diving soon!!!
- Ken
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I was at the UCLA/Utah basketball game Saturday afternoon. Painful result to say the least, but an amazingly exciting finish . . .
RAIN ALTERS PLANS - This off-and-on rain over the last few days certainly hasn't helped things, at least not as far as beach diving is concerned. Some of the boats were able to get out over the weekend but the shore-based diving was less-than-ideal. This is where a resource like the Redondo Beach live cam really helps, because you can get a sense of things before you trudge on down there. If you don't already have it bookmarked, here's the link: Redondo Beach live cam . There's also a second private cam a little further down (near the Topaz Jetty) that also gives you a good real-time view of things:Dave & Kathy's Topaz Jetty cam. Both good resources to have.
TRASH IN THE OCEAN - One of the things we talk about when we're giving presentations at the Aquarium of the Pacific is trash in the ocean and what a problem that is. As Nemo taught us: All storm drains lead to the ocean. The storm-drain/trash connection has been abundantly clear during the last month or so and nowhere more obvious than Seal Beach. The L.A. Times has a good article about this (and other beaches) a few days ago and you can read it here: Trash at the beach - L.A. Times.
AVALON CLEANUP ADVANCE REGISTRATION DEADLINE THIS WEEK - If you're joining us for the Avalon Underwater Cleanup on Saturday, February 23, the deadline for pre-registration is this Thursday. Cost to go with us is $150 which covers RT Catalina Express, taxi pickup at the Mole to the green Pier (our trash station), event registration (be sure to include your t-shirt size), gear storage post-event, and knowing you're performing a good deed. Give us a call at 310/652-4990 if you want to join in on the effort.
DIVERS DAY IS ON THE HORIZON AS WELL - That's the annual free day at the Aquarium of the Pacific where your certification card gets you in at no charge. The date is Saturday, March 9, and we'll have more info for you down the road.
LOOKING FORWARD TO INDONESIA - We're going back July 6-17 and diving with our good friends at Murex Dive Resorts. We've been going through air skeds (some decent deals on Singapore Air and United) and running general plans through our minds. We currently have six people going so this trip is a firm "GO" and we can add more if you're interested. Land portion (double-occupancy room, diving air or nitrox, meals, airport transfers, a day in the Lembeh Strait, and crew tip) is $2,995. Economy airfare can be had currently for as little as $1,300. Feel free to call or e-mail for more info.
WANT TO SEE A FREE MOVIE? - Bill Macdonald is hosting a free screening of film-maker Chris Jordan's movie "Alabatross" next Saturday, 5:30-8:30PM, in Building H at the Angel's Gate Cultural Center in San Pedro. The movie details the plight of the Laysan Albatross on Midway Island (we visited there in 1998 and saw a lot of this) and really underscores the issue of trash in the ocean and the devastating effect it can have on wildlife. There's no ticket required so you can just show up if you're interested. You can view the trailer here: Albatross movie trailer.
GENTLE REMINDER, ESPECIALLY FOR THE GUYS - Thursday is Valentine's Day. "You don't have to get me anything" may not be a 100% truthful statement so just a word to the wise.
And that'll do it for now. Have a great week, and let's go diving soon!!!
- Ken
