TWARS (This Week at Reef Seekers) - March 24-31

[Ken Kurtis]

San Ignacio Lagoon, Easter Sunday, & more (please scroll down for details)​

Happy Spring!!! (Although you wouldn't know it from the Sunday afternoon rain . . . ) BACK FROM SAN IGNACIO LAGOON - This is the shortest trip we run, literally Monday-Friday, leaving late Monday morning and arriving home late Friday afternoon. In 2023 we went in February and had some wind issues. This year we decided to try March. Still had some wind issues but not as severe as last year. On top of that - and this is all through Baja Expeditions, which is owned by Nautilus Dive Adventures - the camp is in a new location this year, adjacent to the airstrip. So it's not only much more convenient than last year, but it's also a larger camp. We got in nine forays out to observe the whales, had plenty of whale sightings (usually mother/calf pairs), saw dozens of spyhops, no breaches, and four of our ten people got to make physical contact with the whales. (The other six had close encounters - whales less than five feet away - but no touches.) I'm still working on the trip report and the pix and will send those out in a separate note in a few days. But here's a taste of what we saw, and I swear upon my Nikon that the bottom photo is absolutely legit and not photo-manipulated in any way. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time with the right lens when the whale popped up.​

DO IT AGAIN IN 2025? - Maybe. I've already looked at some dates, maybe in January this time. My hope/goal would be to get some non-windy time there, because that's when it seems you get the best chance of extended touching encounters with the whales. But it's nature and it's up to the whales as to whether they approach the boats or not. So you never know. But if you're interested in doing this trip, let me know at 310/652-4990 and we'll see what's what. DUTCHMAN LOGO IS COMPLETED - It took us longer than usual but hopefully you'll feel it's worth the wait. Below is what the 2024 Flying Dutchman logo looks like for Chamber Day. As you hopefully know, the Dutchman is our fake boat for those who either can't get the day off to go diving or simply don't dive in SoCal anymore but still want to support our Chamber. Your $95 Dutchman donation, gets you the t-shirt, some raffle tix, and our gratitude. You'll also choose your "pirate" name which will go on the front of the shirt. And be sure to list your affiliation as Reef Seekers because we have a contest each year to see who can shanghai the most Dutchman divers. Sign up directly at: CHAMBER DAY 2024.​ ​ EASTER IS THIS SUNDAY - Don't forget that this Sunday coming up is Easter Sunday. It's on March 31st this year. Of course, the day after Easter, march 32nd, is pretty special too, at least in my book. Consider this your fair warning. I'm keeping it really brief tonight because I'm WAAAY behind in some of things I need to get done (including eating dinner - it's already after 8:30PM). So that'll do it for now. Have a great week, please support our Chamber, and let's go diving soon!!! - Ken​