South Florida Divers, Inc.
March 2007 Newsletter
President's Message
Are you having fun ........??
~ By Pete Stephinson
Well any hopes of diving this weekend (Feb
17-18)were quickly put to rest by the weather. With the cool winds even some
of our more hardy members had second thoughts about getting wet.
Fortunately, we had better weather last weekend and 22 of our members
enjoyed a weekend in the Crystal River area. We acquainted ourselves with
the local manatee population, dove a cavern and the Rainbow River. I found
diving the river and the cavern fascinating as it is so different to the
diving we do here in South Florida. Everybody I spoke with, thoroughly
enjoyed the weekend. You can see some of their photos elsewhere in this
newsletter. Thanks to Stan & Chris for a great job in putting this trip
together - we appreciated it.
We are now starting to get the calendar filled
up for the year. You will notice that we now have dates for the annual keys
trip and the second annual weekend trip to the Bahamas. If you're interested
in either of these I would suggest putting a deposit down as these will fill
up fast. In the more immediate future, we have a number of local dives and
activities set up over the next month or so including a bicycle tour of
Shark Valley and a camping and canoeing weekend. Of course we have the "not
to be missed'" annual Pig Roast at the end of March.
Over the last several months, a small group of
eboard members have been working on updating our constitution, bylaws, and
policies and procedures documents. The objective was not to make anything
radically different, but rather to bring the documents up to date with
todays situation and to provide clarity. There will be copies for you to
review at the March meeting and we will vote on their adoption in April.
Our speaker for the March meeting, is Eric
Douglas, an author and Director of training at DAN. Eric will speak on the
topic of "Diving Needs heroes" - it will be an interesting presentation - I
hope to see you there.
See you in the water some time soon
Pete
email:
President@SFDI.com
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NEW MEETING LOCATION
The Fort Lauderdale Power Squadron is located in the Lauderdale Marine Center
at:
2029 SW 20th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL
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SFDI meetings are the first Wednesday of each month at the
Fort Lauderdale Power Boat Squadron. The meeting starts at 7:30 If you are
not a member, and you are reading this on the Internet, please join us
because visitors are ALWAYS WELCOME!
In an attempt to condense the length of the meetings, we are
going to start the meeting PROMPTLY at 7:30.
Please come earlier to socialize before the meeting starts. |
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WELCOME YOUR NEWEST DIVE BUDDIES!
We are delighted to welcome new
members
Steve, Patricia and Stella
Burak,
George Plucienkowski and Juan
Rodriquez !!
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.
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March 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.
- February 22 :
Dinner-at-Large (Thursday)
Barbara Sabatelli has offered to
hostess our February Dinner-at-Large. She wants us to
join her at the Kyojin Japanese Restaurant located
at 3485 N. Federal Highway, Ft. Lauderdale. Barbara
assures us that this is one of South Florida's best
Japanese restaurants. For more info call Barbara or the
restaurant at 954-568-2208.
- February 24:
1:00
PM Show 1:30 Go
We're hoping for
perfect weather and perfect seas as we get aboard the
Lady-Go-Diver and brave the cool waters off lower Palm
Beach County. It's getting late in the season but there
should still be some bugs for those so interested. Total
cost will be $45.00. Call Dave Schneider for more info
or go to
www.dixiedivers.com
- March 7 :
General Meeting 7:30 PM
(Sharp!) Ft. Lauderdale Power
Squadron, 2029 SW 20th. Street, Ft. Lauderdale
33315. [driving directions here]
www.flpowersquadron.org/
- March 10 :
1:00PM Show 1:30PM Go (Saturday)
Brian Hufford wants to welcome some willing and
able divers aboard the American Dream II for an
afternoon or excitement and adventure. Another chance to
snag a few of the elusive crustaceans before the season
comes to an end. Total cost will be $60.00, tax and tip
included. For directions..
www.scubafortlauderdale.com
- March 12 :
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. It would be great to see more
members getting involved with the workings of our Club
- .March
14 :
Dinner-at-Large (Wednesday)
The
culinary wonders of the Asian subcontinent beckon as Joe
Smariga and Julie Taylor lead us on an exotic trek to the
Royal India Restaurant, 3801 Griffin Road,
Ft. Lauderdale. The dinner bell will be rang at 7:30
PM. You can get more information from Joe or Julie, or
call the restaurant directly at 954-964-0071.
- March 15 :
Bluewater Adventure Series
(Thursday) Broward County Main Library, 100
Andrews Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale. Last in the three part
series, this presentation will feature David Vann, author
of A Mile Down: The True Story of a Disastrous Career
at Sea. Starting time is 7:00Pm. Admission is free
but reservations are requested and can be made at
954-357-7401. Call Debby Bradford for more details.
- March 17:
Shark Valley Bike Ride (Saturday) Julie
Taylor is hopping onto her souped-up "Schwinn" and plans
to lead all you bicycle enthusiasts through the wilds of
scenic Shark Valley. The ride will start at 11:00Am
so get a good nights sleep if you intend to keep up with
Julie. For more details give Julie a call.
- March 18 :
1:00 PM Show 1:30 PM Go (Sunday)
Dave Schneider will be
welcoming the group aboard the Starfish Enterprise
out of Lantana. We will be venturing onto flat seas with
good vis, mild currents and perfect weather. Who could
ask for more, so sign on for a great afternoon of diving.
Cost will be $48.00, tax and tip included.
Afterwards we will be stopping into the Old Key Lime
House for grog and vittles. Call Dave for information
or go to
www.idivestarfish.com.
-
March 25 :
NOTE CHANGE OF DATE !!!
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", 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!
-
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
- 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!
- 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.
-
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.
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Who or what inspired you to dive? Do
you have an influential person in your past like Mike Nelson from Sea Hunt
who excited you about exploring the deep blue? On March 7th, SFDI
will be very fortunate to welcome DAN Director of Training Eric Douglas, who
will talk about what has inspired many people to learn to dive. He feels that
diving today lacks a hero who could motivate nondivers to take up the sport.
Eric is an acclaimed author of two dive adventure novels (Cayman Cowboys
and Flooding Hollywood) and co-author, with DAN President and CEO Dan
Orr, of a non-fiction book on diving safety and rescue called Scuba Diving
Safety, which will be available in May 2007. Eric will discuss the
writing process and how his work at DAN has given him opportunities to learn
and write about the culture of diving. Eric will bring copies of his books
for purchase that he will personally autograph for you.
ABOUT ERIC DOUGLAS
Eric Douglas began diving in 1990 in West Virginia. He became a dive
instructor in 1998 while working for PADI in Rancho Santa Margarita,
California. There he helped develop training materials and served as the
Assistant Editor of The Undersea Journal, a publication read by more
than 150,000 professional divers worldwide. He is currently the Director of
Training for Divers Alert Network (DAN), an international scuba diving safety
organization where he develops dive safety training programs. He also
frequently teaches those programs to dive instructors and instructor trainers
so they can teach them to divers. Trained as a journalist, with a degree from
Marshall University, he has written thousands of stories and has traveled the
world with his cameras in hand. You can check out his website at
www.booksbyeric.com.
Eric currently lives in Durham, North Carolina, the home of Duke University
and DAN, with his wife, two daughters and three dogs.
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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.
Return to Table of Contents
Dinner-at
Large
March 14, 2007
The
culinary wonders of the Asian subcontinent beckon as Joe Smariga and Julie Taylor lead us on an exotic trek to the
Royal India Restaurant, 3801 Griffin Road, Ft.
Lauderdale. The dinner bell will be rang at 7:30 PM.
You can get more information from Joe or Julie, or call the
restaurant directly at 954-964-0071.
Return to Table of Contents
Pictures from The SFDI Manatee Trip
Photos by Stan Pierce
Return to Table of Contents
Click Here for John Beal's
Palau Video
Trivia Question
TRIVIA QUESTION
ANSWER
Operculum: 1. the hard bony flap covering the gill slits in
fish; 2. A plate-like structure on the foot of a gastropod that
seals its shell; 3. any lid-like covering.
Now You Know... |
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Return to Table of Contents
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.
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Contents
South Florida Divers Club
Frequently Asked Questions
By Brian Hufford
What kind of club is South Florida Divers? We are a dive and social club. We
have diving and social events almost every week. There’s more diving in the
warmer months, but we have trips every month of the year.
What about social events? We enjoy get togethers such as beach picnics, dinner
on the town, bike rides, Holiday boat cruises, things like that. We also have
three parties each year: a pig roast in the spring, a seafood party in September
and a holiday party in early December. We usually have 80+ people in
attendance; they’re always a great time.
Where do you dive? Most of our diving is in the Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Palm
Beach area, where we do boats and shore diving. We get down to the Keys several
times each year, and we also do two or three out of country trips. This past
year we had trips to Turks and Caicos, Bimini, and Papua New Guinea.
What about club meetings? We have a monthly meeting, the first Wednesday of the
month, at the Fort Lauderdale Power Squadron. The meeting starts with a 30 minute social
from 7:00 to 7:30 then the business section from 7:30 til 8:00, a short break,
then the program or speaker. We’ve had some very interesting speakers this past
year, covering everything from the CSS Hunly to updates on important ocean
environment issues.
How does the club organize all these events? South Florida Divers is a
volunteer organization, so it’s a club member that does each event. Each event,
social or diving, has a trip leader and a sign-up sheet. We go over the
calendar at each club meeting, plus, it’s in another section of this website.
The sign-up sheet has the details about the trip, location, time, cost {if any},
trip leader. We have a table set up with the sign-up sheets and a table for the
treasury if funds are required.
What about membership? Membership dues cover each calendar year and are $55 for
individual and $65 for family. There is a one time set-up fee of $5. We ask
that you be a member before participating in club events [other than the club
meetings].
What do I need to do to join? We have three requirements: You are a certified
diver, you have and maintain diver insurance, and you pay your dues. You can
join at any club meeting, the membership table is just inside the door, or you
can mail in the application.
What’s the best way to get involved in the club? Become a member and join in
the fun and events. Members are always welcome to help with club work, lead a
trip, organize a beach picnic, or participate on the board.
Return to Table of
Contents
|
Happy
March Birthday!
 |
| Capt.Chris
Hinckley |
Marcia
Tucker |
| Susan
Judah |
David
Pressler |
| Ginny
DeMattei |
Debra
Greenburg |
| Don
Lawrynuik |
Patric
Roberts |
| Carol
Schurtz |
Dean Goding |
| Christine
Heft |
Robert
Hepworth |
| Sandra
Hofer |
Bob
Rardin |
| Joseph
Giandinoto |
Howard
Cohen |
|
|
Return
to Table of Contents
|
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Book Review
SUBMERGED
Adventures of America’s Most Elite Underwater Archeology
Team
By Daniel Lenihan
Founder and Chief of U.S. National Park Service Submerged
Cultural Resources Unit (SCRU)
If you enjoy true life adventure writing, you
will not be disappointed with Submerged, the remarkable story of America’s elite
underwater archeology team. Daniel Lenihan recounts experiences from his 25
years as founder and head of the award-winning Submerged Cultural Resources Unit
(SCRU) team of the U.S. National Park Service, world-class divers- talented
archeologists, historians, and photographers---charged with the mission of
surveying, mapping, investigating, and protecting the shipwrecks and sites that
constitute America’s sunken heritage.
This is extreme diving at its finest:
·
Surveying the Isle Royale shipwrecks in the frigid depths of Lake
Superior
·
Leading the first expedition to explore and video the USS Arizona
in Pearl Harbor
·
Investigating the HL Hunley, the first submarine in history to
sink an enemy ship, in Charleston Harbor during the Civil War.
·
Resurveying the ships sunk by atomic bombs at Bikini Atoll.
You will be amazed at the aggressive
preservation ethics utilized by the team and mesmerized by the gripping accounts
of personal survival as they retrieve bodies of drowned divers (from Florida
caves), ships and submerged buildings. This engaging book records the historic
and social significance of the underwater research programs conducted by this
fascinating unit of the National Park Service.
Return to Table
of Contents
Where's Kansman ??
It's a Jungle Out There, John...
Return to Table of
Contents
LOTS OF LAUGHS and Other Wisdom
I think we consider too much the good luck of
the early bird and not enough the bad luck of the early worm.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
The average dog is a nicer person than the
average person.
Andy Rooney
Read to the end! Funny!!!!! For a couple of years I've
been blaming it on lack of sleep, not enough sunshine, too much pressure
from my job, earwax buildup, poor blood or anything else I could think of.
But now I found out the real reason:
I'm tired because I'm overworked.
The population of this country is 273 million.
140 million are retired.
That leaves 133 million to do the work.
There are 85 million in school.
Which leaves 48 million to do the work.
Of this, there are 29 million employed by the federal
government.
Leaving 19 million to do the work.
2.8 million are in the armed forces preoccupied with killing
Osama Bin-Laden...
