 |
Home |  |
About |  |
News | |
Links |
|
Pictures |
|
|
|
Home | |
About | |
News | |
Links |
|
Pictures |
|
|
South Florida Divers, Inc.
April 2007 Newsletter
President's Message
Getting warmer.......soon I hope !!
~ By Pete Stephinson
Well, 2007 is racing along. We are already through the 1st quarter, Lobster season is over and we are about to head in to the peak diving season. Yes, for many of us hot blooded Floridians the summer months are the time to dive. I dove this last weekend (March 18th) with 9 other of our more hardy members and even some of them were “feeling the pain”. We dove two reefs just south of Lantana and the temperature was a cool 72 degrees. Mind you, that felt warm compared with how it felt on the boat. Despite the fact that it was a beautiful sunny day the wind had a cool bite which went straight through a wet wetsuit. Even so, we all had a great time and the reefs were healthy and vibrantly colored compared with some of those further to the south. We warmed ourselves afterwards at the Old Key Limehouse. On a more serious note, I’m sure you will have heard the news of the diving accident which happened recently on the Speigel Grove. While our thoughts and sympathies are with the families and loved ones of the divers who passed, this sad accident serves as a wake up call that diving can be a dangerous sport. If you haven’t been in the water for a while, now may be a good time to get your equipment checked and serviced. Or maybe you should make your first dive of the year an easy one with an instructor or experienced buddy. At all times, follow the guidelines laid out on the training courses and if in doubt, err on the side of caution. The calendar is filling up with more dives and other activities so there will be plenty of opportunities to “get wet” as the summer progresses. We would still like more volunteers to step up and help organize dives or other events so if you have a good idea mention it to Dave Schneider, one of the eboard members or myself. We will be pleased to help you organize your first event. Our April meeting is a "social" meeting. That means we don't have a speaker but instead spend the time socializing with fellow club members. This is always a good time to catch up with friends and maybe even bring along some dive photos to share. I hope to see you there. If not, see you in the water some time soon Pete email: President@SFDI.com |
NEW MEETING LOCATION
|
How to find the Fort Lauderdale Power Squadron |
The Fort Lauderdale Power Squadron is located in the Lauderdale Marine Center at:
2029 SW 20th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL
|
WELCOME YOUR NEWEST DIVE BUDDIES!
We are delighted to welcome new members ! Tell Your Dive Buddies to Come Join Us !! We look forward to diving with you. As a Reminder to Everyone, We are a NO-DECO Dive Club. Always adhere to Safe Recreational Dive Depths and Limits.
|
April 2007 Calendar.. and Beyond
- By Dave Schneider, Vice President, Calendar
Phone numbers of event coordinators are not posted to ensure privacy. If you are a Club member please consult your Buddy List for the number you need. If you do not have a copy of the Buddy List one will be available for you at the next General Meeting. Just a quick reminder.. The Calendar exists for the information of all our members. Should you see an event that is of interest to you please contact the Coordinator directly. You can sign-up for the event(s) of your choice at any time of the month. The Coordinator will be more than pleased to place your name on the list and tell you where to mail payment. HELP MAKE YOUR CLUB BETTER ! .... We need more people to step up and run events. If you are interested in coordinating a dive.. a trip.. a dinner or any other type of event please contact an E-Board member. Any member of the Board will be more than happy to advise and assist you in any way possible.
March 25 : 8:00AM Show 8:30AM Go (Saturday) John Kansman and Dave Wills will be hosting our first private boat dive of the year. Always a fast "sell-out", so be sure to sign-up or contact either John or Dave as soon as possible. The boats will be leaving from the dock at John U. Lloyd State Park promptly at 8:30 so don't be late or you'll be standing there in your wet suit and fins waving to the boat wakes.
March 31 : Pig Roast ! 5:30 PM Start The social calendar begins with the wildly popular (it ain't so popular with the pig) Pig Roast at the Lauderdale Isles Yacht Club, 2637 Whale Harbor Lane, Ft. Lauderdale. [Map here] For the bargain entrance fee of $5.00 per member and first guest, $10.00 for each additional guest, plus a covered dish to share you will be able to feast like a king (or queen) on chicken, pork and assorted side dishes and desserts, quaff beer and wine to your hearts content and revel the night away. This is one of our most popular social events.
March 31 : Lobster Season Ends.. a sad day for all.
March 29 - April 1: Dania Beach Marine Flea Market The place to go for that piece of dive gear or boat equipment you've been meaning to get. Again this year the event will be held at Dolphin Stadium. For full details go to www.thedaniamarinefleamarket.com.
April 4 : General Meeting 7:30 PM (Sharp!) Ft. Lauderdale Power Squadron, 2029 SW 20th. Street, Ft. Lauderdale 33315. [driving directions here] www.flpowersquadron.org/
April 6 - 8 : Second Annual Camp & Canoe Weekend Craig and Linda Sandel have volunteered to lead this years trek into the wilderness of Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Everyone who went last year had a great time and this year promises to be even better! Mark your calendars and let Linda or Craig know early if you will be going since sites must be reserved and attendance will be limited. More details as they become available.
April 9 : SFDI Executive Board Meeting at Connections for Business, 2843 Pembroke Road, NE corner of I-95 and Pembroke Road. The meeting starts sharp at 7:30 PM and all members are encouraged to attend. We need your input so please try to attend!
April14 : 8:00AM Show 8:30AM Go (Saturday) John Kansman and Dave Wills will be hosting our first private boat dive of the year. Always a fast "sell-out", so be sure to sign-up or contact either John or Dave as soon as possible. The boats will be leaving from the dock at John U. Lloyd State Park promptly at 8:30 so don't be late or you'll be going home early.
April 18: 1:30PM Show 2:00PM Go (Wednesday) Over-the-Hill, Off-the-Stern Back into the waters off Palm Beach County aboard the Starfish Enterprise with Dave Schneider. It's gonna be a beautiful day so join us if you can. Cost is $48.00, tax and tip included. For more details call Dave or contact Captain Craig at www.idivestarfish.com
April 19: Dinner at Large Join Capt. Chris at 7:30pm for a Mexican Fiesta at Tequila Sunrise Mexican Cafe. Menu and Directions are at ...Tequila Sunrise. Ole' !!
April 20 - 22: Ocean Fest 2006, a celebration of diving and water sports sponsored by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. Your chance to help your club and the festival organizers by volunteering to help out. Details on Ocean Fest are at www.oceanfest.com
April 28: Pete's Annual Spring Scramble Golf Outing Pete Stephinson hosts his annual golf outing at the Boca Dunes Golf & Country Club. All abilities welcome. A $50.00 fee pays for golf, cart, trophies and prizes, buffet lunch, beer and sodas. Contact Pete fore! more info.
April 29: 1:00PM Show 1:30PM Go (Sunday) Kim Hunziker plans to lead us into the depths to explore the Tenneco Towers and local reefs from aboard the American Dream II. This one should be very popular, so sign on early. Cost is $60.00, tax and tip included. Go to www.scubaftlauderdale.com or give Kim a call for more details.
May 2 : General Meeting 7:30 PM (Sharp!) Ft. Lauderdale Power Squadron, 2029 SW 20th. Street, Ft. Lauderdale 33315. [driving directions here] www.flpowersquadron.org/
May 7 : SFDI Executive Board Meeting at Connections for Business, 2843 Pembroke Road, NE corner of I-95 and Pembroke Road. The meeting starts sharp at 7:30 PM and all members are encouraged to attend. We need your input so please try to attend!
May 19: 8:30AM Show 9:00AM Go (Saturday) This one is always a hit! Our first drive to the Keys this year will be the popular three tank - four dive - all day on the water trip out of Captain Slate's. As always this will be limited to 17 divers but we can also accommodate some snorkelers and bubble watchers for a scant few dollars. Cost will be $80, tax and tip included. Note: You must be an Advanced diver or higher. Call Dave Schneider or Pete Stephinson for more details, or go www.captainslates.com
May 23: 1:30 Show 2:00 Go (Wednesday) Over-the-Hill & Off-the-Stern of the Lady-Go-Diver out of Deerfield Beach. We're hoping for the perfect day as the waters continue to warm up. Cost will be $45.00, tax and tip included. Call Dave Schneider for more details or go to www.dixiedivers.com.
June 9: Ocean Watch Clean-up
June 16 - 23: Cayman Brac Trip The first of our overseas line-up for 2007. A couple of spots are still available and the diving in the Cayman's is world class so anyone interested please contact Dave Schneider.
Special Note for July : Due to the July 4th. Holiday, the Executive Board meeting will be held on Monday, July 9 and the Regular Meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 11th. Please mark your calendars accordingly.
July 14 - 21: Turks & Caicos Trip A great spot for those who love walls and/or the Bahamas, plus the fun and variety of Club Med social life. Space may still available, so contact Peter Stephinson for more details.
July 25 - 26: They're Back!! And it's Mini Season, so get out there and good hunting!
August 4 : Member Appreciation Day We haven't finalized the details yet, but this was such a popular event last year that we have planned to do an encore this year. We will let you know more as the details become available.
August 17 - 19: Annual Keys Weekend Jeff Raffa and Ginny DeMattei did such a great job last year that we have coerced them into organizing this years event. As always, this is a highlight of our calendar and a weekend you won't want to miss. Details will be forthcoming.
September 1 - 8: Exumas Liveaboard Fred Miller is leading a group to the Exumas in the Bahamas on this last of our currently scheduled overseas week-long trips. This promises to be a great event aboard an excellent Liveaboard, so contact Fred for more details and to check availability.
September 14 - 16: Bahamas Weekend Jeff and Ginny are back again to encore their successful Keys Weekend outing with a short trip to the Bahamas. This was a great time last year and promises to be even better this year, so mark your calendars and send your money in to reserve a spot. Space will be limited. More details as available.
September 29: Seafood Fest! A little later than usual due to our crowded calendar, but sure to be a great time regardless. Be sure to be on hand to see the crowning of SFDI's first ever "Lobster King". Lauderdale Isles Yacht Club, 2637 Whale Harbor Lane, Ft. Lauderdale [Map here] More details later on.
AND ONE LAST NOTE; Our published Club policy regarding members cancellation from dives/events they have signed on for and their rights to refunds is clear. Once a member signs on for a dive/event he or she is obligated to pay for that dive/event unless they contact the coordinator for that dive/event and cancel by the specified cancellation time. Further, members are required to pay for the dive/event at the time they sign up or indicate their desire to participate in that dive/event. Not paying immediately does not eliminate the requirement to make full payment if you do not cancel within the designated cancellation period or simply fail to show up for that dive/event. If there are any questions please read your copy of "SFDI Policies and Procedures" or speak to any Executive Board member.
|
America's Boating Course
Hey, we all spend a lot of time on boats. Why not take advantage of the Fort Lauderdale Power Squadron's "America's Boating Course" (ABC) to improve your knowledge of boating skills and safe boating practices. The course is run monthly at no charge. Details can be found at http://www.usps.org/e_stuff/ABC.html. The course is held on the first Monday of every month from 7-9PM and concludes the following Saturday from 9 til 2PM.(lunch provided). Each person who completes the course receives an ABC text book, an informative CD and a certificate of completion which may help in reducing insurance rates for boat owners. The next course is scheduled for Monday Feb 5th and Saturday Feb 10th. If you are interested in signing up, or finding out more, email the Power Squadron at ABCCourse@aol.com including your name and contact information.
|
Earth day is coming up on April 22nd. Do Something Special For The Planet !! |
MARCH DINNER AT LARGE Pics
On March 14, Members joined Julie Taylor and Joe Smariga
for an evening of culinary wonders of the Asian subcontinent at the
Royal India Restaurant,
Photos by Peter Stephinson
Dinner-at Large
April 19, 2007
Join Capt. Chris for a Mexican Fiesta at Tequila Sunrise Mexican Cafe !!
Menu and Directions are at Tequila Sunrise Mexican Cafe. Ole' !!
Click Here for John Beal's Palau Video
Also Please Visit Sanda Hoffer's Website at
Trivia Question
| Why can't divers localize the source of a sound underwater? |
TRIVIA QUESTION ANSWER
|
Summer 2007 - Overseas Trips.
The following trips were selected based on input by the membership. The dates have been set so that you can plan to go on more than one trip. The price estimates below are based on the best information we have at the current time and may change. In particular airline prices are not published yet. We need deposits to lock in the reservations we are currently holding at the current prices. There are still a few openings on each trip. If you are signed up for a trip and not up to date on your payment, you could loose your spot. So please stay current with the payment schedule.
June 17-21st 2007 Cayman Brac. Marine life of all shapes and sizes abound in the clear, warm waters off Cayman Brac. The recent sinking of a Russian Destroyer has only added to it's attractiveness as a dive destination. We plan to stay at the Brac Reef Resort, www.bracreef.com. Estimated cost is $1950 including air, lodging, meals, transfers, travel insurance and diving. Trip Organizer Dave Schneider
September 1-8th Exumas Liveaboard. A Bahamas dive trip aboard the luxurious AquaCat Catamaran ( www.aquacatcruises.com ). We will cruise the Exumas for the best in pristine Bahamas diving.... reef, wall, wreck, drift and Blue Hole dives. In addition to diving, snorkeling, kayaking and island exploration are available. Estimated cost $2200 all inclusive includes air, and tips. Trip organizer Fred Miller.
July 14-21st Turks & Caicos. Turks is known for it's spectacular wall diving. To satisfy recently acquired tastes for white chocolate bread we will be staying at the Club Med Turkoise ( www.clubmed.com ) The estimated cost is $1900 including air, lodging, transfers, travel insurance, drinks and diving. Trip Organizer Pete Stephinson.
South Florida Divers Club
By Brian Hufford
|
Happy April Birthday!
|
|||
Where's Kansman ??
Quit it, John !!
LOTS OF LAUGHS and Other Wisdom
Leave the atom alone.
E. Y. Harburg
Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.
Gwyneth Paltro
