Ken Kurtis
Contributor
Want to travel??? Upcoming 2018-19 vacation trips:
• October 27 - November 3 - Roatan at Anthony's Key (SOLD OUT!!!)
--- THE DEVELOPING PLANS FOR 2019 ---
• Easter Island - January 5-13 (CONFIRMED - 6 PEOPLE SO FAR - GROUP LIMITED TO 10)
• Yap Immersion - Looking at mid-March
• Bonaire - Late May
• Indonesia - July 6-19 (Murex in Manado - TENTATIVE DATES)
• Whale Shark congregation at Isla Mujeres - August
• Maldives - October 12-25 (CONFIRMED - NOW TAKING DEPOSITS - ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT)
• Sea of Cortez (Cabo Pulmo) - December 5-10 ( CONFIRMED - NOW TAKING DEPOSITS - 7 SPOTS LEFT)
GET MORE INFO ON ALL OF OUR VACATION TRIPS HERE: http://www.reefseekers.com/foreign_trips.html
————————————————————————
Upcoming local dives & classes:
• Thu., Oct. 25 - CLASS - NAUI Nitrox ($75)
• Thu., Nov. 8 - Redondo - Night Dive (FREE!!)
• Sat., Nov. 17 - Catalina Express - Avalon Underwater Park ($150 - three dives)
To sign up for any of these dives, either call us at 310/652-4990 or e-mail us at kenkurtis@aol.com
————————————————————————
How can I not start with . . . GO DODGERS!!!
DODGERS HEART TEST FOR DIVING - We frequently remind you that you should have regular medical checkups, especially as you get older, to insure that your heart is in good shape and that you're generally fit for diving. Well, if you watched Game 7 Saturday night, and especially when Christian Yelich hit that deep, deep, fly in the bottom of the 5th inning, and Chris Taylor made the most amazing acrobatic catch ever to get the out and end the inning . . . If that sequence didn't give you a heart attack, then you're likely good for diving. In case you missed it or want to see it again (takes a moment to load): https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/video/1349243971534
Now, on to more dive-related stuff . . .
EMERGENCY COMMERCIAL LOBSTER CLOSURE - The CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (the revised formal name for Fish & Game) has enacted an immediate emergency closure of the commercial lobster fishery around Anacapa Island and parts of Santa Cruz Island. The closure does NOT affect the recreational take of lobsters in the area. The closure is due to reported high levels of domoic acid (nasty stuff) in tested catch. The CA Dept. of Public Health also recommends that recreational fishers in these areas avoid consuming the viscera or roe of caught lobsters. The closure will remain in effect until such time as those measured levels come down. Domoic acid has been the culprit in many cases of sea lion deaths over the years and it's simply something you don't want to mess around with. If you have any questions about any lobsters you've caught so far this season, throw them out. In fact, if you really want to play it safe, if you've caught any lobsters in the last few weeks from around Anacapa, you might want to toss them. Here's a link to the closure notice: https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/…/commercial-spiny-lobster…/… .
NICE CONDITIONS AT CATALINA THIS PAST WEEKEND - Many reports from the Underwater Park of decent visibility (30-50') and many Giant Sea Bass still hanging out. If you go out looking for them, they're still in the area roughly straight out from the stairs in about 50-70' of water. Here's a shot Chris Glaeser posted on Facebook on Thursday.
WEATHER CONDITIONS LOOK GOOD - Looks like a very mild Santa Ana (winds out of the NE) may kick in Tuesday or Wednesday which will warm things up (85º on Thursday) and which should also keep the seas, especially along the beaches, pretty flat. Water temps seem to be holding in the mid-to-upper 60s so it's a good time to go out and dive.
LEAVING FOR ROATAN ON SATURDAY - We have an early (1AM) departure to Houston and then on to Roatan with our group of 14 for next week. We'll be staying at Anthony's Key where we were in 2013. Our water there should be a bit warmer than mid-to-upper 60s. (If it's not, I'll have a revolt on my hands.) But it also means that next Sunday, I'll try to send out TWARS from Roatan, and that I'll hopefully (Internet connection willing) be able to post Daily Top 10 pix each day of the trip. Check our Reef Seekers &/or Ken Kurtis Facebook pages for links as well as the Ken Kurtis SmugMug page (https://kenkurtis.smugmug.com/DIVE-TRIP-PHO…/2018-DIVE-TRIPS) for pix from each day. There will be a gallery that says something like "Roatan Daily Top 10 Pix" and that'll take you to the offerings from each day.
EASTER ISLAND IN JANUARY - If you're looking for a unique way to start off the new year, join us for our return trip to Easter Island January 5-13. We'll get in about a dozen dives at various sites around the island, will visit the Moai (huge carved statues that the place is known for) with the top guide on the island, and we'll have a great time. Easter Island (more correctly known as Rapa Nui) is also a UNEXSO World Heritage site. Because it's land-based, I can add people on short notice. The airfare's the tricky part. The only way in or out is LATAM (formerly LAN/Chile) and their website's been acting up the last few days and not letting our latest passenger book, or even worse, giving a great fare, then saying it's not available and raising it significantly (one time it went from $1,700 to $3,700), and THEN saying "Unable to complete transaction - please try later." Very frustrating. But good things are worth working for so we'll keep trying. In case you're wondering, the routing options are either LAX-Santiago and then out to Easter Island, or (and this one's a bit cheaper) LAX-Miami-Santiago and then out. If you're interested, let me know.
TWO OTHER 2019 TRIPS FILLING - The first is the Maldives on the Manthiri in mid-October. The boat only holds 12 and we've already gotten 10 commitments so only 2 spots to go. And we're also getting a lot of interest in our Sea of Cortez Cabo Pulmo trip aboard the new/refurbished Nautilus Gallant Lady in December of 2019. That boat also only holds 12 and we've already got commitments and deposits for 5 spots so if you want to lock your spot in, get off a check payable to Reef Seekers for $500. Both great trips and both will fill. Don't get left behind.
And that'll do it for now. Have a great week, GO DODGERS, and let's go diving soon!!!
- Ken
• October 27 - November 3 - Roatan at Anthony's Key (SOLD OUT!!!)
--- THE DEVELOPING PLANS FOR 2019 ---
• Easter Island - January 5-13 (CONFIRMED - 6 PEOPLE SO FAR - GROUP LIMITED TO 10)
• Yap Immersion - Looking at mid-March
• Bonaire - Late May
• Indonesia - July 6-19 (Murex in Manado - TENTATIVE DATES)
• Whale Shark congregation at Isla Mujeres - August
• Maldives - October 12-25 (CONFIRMED - NOW TAKING DEPOSITS - ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT)
• Sea of Cortez (Cabo Pulmo) - December 5-10 ( CONFIRMED - NOW TAKING DEPOSITS - 7 SPOTS LEFT)
GET MORE INFO ON ALL OF OUR VACATION TRIPS HERE: http://www.reefseekers.com/foreign_trips.html
————————————————————————
Upcoming local dives & classes:
• Thu., Oct. 25 - CLASS - NAUI Nitrox ($75)
• Thu., Nov. 8 - Redondo - Night Dive (FREE!!)
• Sat., Nov. 17 - Catalina Express - Avalon Underwater Park ($150 - three dives)
To sign up for any of these dives, either call us at 310/652-4990 or e-mail us at kenkurtis@aol.com
————————————————————————
How can I not start with . . . GO DODGERS!!!
DODGERS HEART TEST FOR DIVING - We frequently remind you that you should have regular medical checkups, especially as you get older, to insure that your heart is in good shape and that you're generally fit for diving. Well, if you watched Game 7 Saturday night, and especially when Christian Yelich hit that deep, deep, fly in the bottom of the 5th inning, and Chris Taylor made the most amazing acrobatic catch ever to get the out and end the inning . . . If that sequence didn't give you a heart attack, then you're likely good for diving. In case you missed it or want to see it again (takes a moment to load): https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/video/1349243971534
Now, on to more dive-related stuff . . .
EMERGENCY COMMERCIAL LOBSTER CLOSURE - The CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (the revised formal name for Fish & Game) has enacted an immediate emergency closure of the commercial lobster fishery around Anacapa Island and parts of Santa Cruz Island. The closure does NOT affect the recreational take of lobsters in the area. The closure is due to reported high levels of domoic acid (nasty stuff) in tested catch. The CA Dept. of Public Health also recommends that recreational fishers in these areas avoid consuming the viscera or roe of caught lobsters. The closure will remain in effect until such time as those measured levels come down. Domoic acid has been the culprit in many cases of sea lion deaths over the years and it's simply something you don't want to mess around with. If you have any questions about any lobsters you've caught so far this season, throw them out. In fact, if you really want to play it safe, if you've caught any lobsters in the last few weeks from around Anacapa, you might want to toss them. Here's a link to the closure notice: https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/…/commercial-spiny-lobster…/… .
NICE CONDITIONS AT CATALINA THIS PAST WEEKEND - Many reports from the Underwater Park of decent visibility (30-50') and many Giant Sea Bass still hanging out. If you go out looking for them, they're still in the area roughly straight out from the stairs in about 50-70' of water. Here's a shot Chris Glaeser posted on Facebook on Thursday.
WEATHER CONDITIONS LOOK GOOD - Looks like a very mild Santa Ana (winds out of the NE) may kick in Tuesday or Wednesday which will warm things up (85º on Thursday) and which should also keep the seas, especially along the beaches, pretty flat. Water temps seem to be holding in the mid-to-upper 60s so it's a good time to go out and dive.
LEAVING FOR ROATAN ON SATURDAY - We have an early (1AM) departure to Houston and then on to Roatan with our group of 14 for next week. We'll be staying at Anthony's Key where we were in 2013. Our water there should be a bit warmer than mid-to-upper 60s. (If it's not, I'll have a revolt on my hands.) But it also means that next Sunday, I'll try to send out TWARS from Roatan, and that I'll hopefully (Internet connection willing) be able to post Daily Top 10 pix each day of the trip. Check our Reef Seekers &/or Ken Kurtis Facebook pages for links as well as the Ken Kurtis SmugMug page (https://kenkurtis.smugmug.com/DIVE-TRIP-PHO…/2018-DIVE-TRIPS) for pix from each day. There will be a gallery that says something like "Roatan Daily Top 10 Pix" and that'll take you to the offerings from each day.
EASTER ISLAND IN JANUARY - If you're looking for a unique way to start off the new year, join us for our return trip to Easter Island January 5-13. We'll get in about a dozen dives at various sites around the island, will visit the Moai (huge carved statues that the place is known for) with the top guide on the island, and we'll have a great time. Easter Island (more correctly known as Rapa Nui) is also a UNEXSO World Heritage site. Because it's land-based, I can add people on short notice. The airfare's the tricky part. The only way in or out is LATAM (formerly LAN/Chile) and their website's been acting up the last few days and not letting our latest passenger book, or even worse, giving a great fare, then saying it's not available and raising it significantly (one time it went from $1,700 to $3,700), and THEN saying "Unable to complete transaction - please try later." Very frustrating. But good things are worth working for so we'll keep trying. In case you're wondering, the routing options are either LAX-Santiago and then out to Easter Island, or (and this one's a bit cheaper) LAX-Miami-Santiago and then out. If you're interested, let me know.
TWO OTHER 2019 TRIPS FILLING - The first is the Maldives on the Manthiri in mid-October. The boat only holds 12 and we've already gotten 10 commitments so only 2 spots to go. And we're also getting a lot of interest in our Sea of Cortez Cabo Pulmo trip aboard the new/refurbished Nautilus Gallant Lady in December of 2019. That boat also only holds 12 and we've already got commitments and deposits for 5 spots so if you want to lock your spot in, get off a check payable to Reef Seekers for $500. Both great trips and both will fill. Don't get left behind.
And that'll do it for now. Have a great week, GO DODGERS, and let's go diving soon!!!
- Ken
