Well I hope you are enjoying the summer diving as much as I am. I was out a week ago (August 9th) with a samll group of members and we experienced some of the best conditions I've ever seen off Pompano. A clear sunny dear, 4 to 6 inch swells, no current and 80-100 ft viz. The only thing missing was an abundance of lobsters. We saw and caught a few but were not in danger of exceeding our limit.

I just heard back from the group who went on our annual Keys trip that they had a great time. The weather wasn't the best but it takes more than a few drops of rain to dampen the spirits of our members. Thanks to Jeff and Ginny for organizing this annual event once again.

As you can see from our calendar we've got a lot going on for the remainder of the summer. I'm looking forward to the Bahamas trip (sept 5-12) and we have our annual Sea Food Fest on Oct 3rd. There is a dive planned for the morning of the 3rd to give you the chance to catch you dinner.

At the August General Meeting, we announced two overseas trips for 2010. I will be taking a group to Tobago in May and Dave Schneider will be taking a group to Dominca in June. These trips will fill up fast so I reccomend that if you are interested in either you get your deposits in to hold your place. 

If you have enjoyed attending club dives now is the time to start thinking about what contribution you can make to our calendar. If you have a favorite dive  why not set it up as a club dive? I'm sure you'll find a number of other SFDI members keen to enjoy it with you. If you don't know how to get started then Dave Schneider, myself or one of the other eBoard members will be pleased to help you.

See you in the water some time soon

Pete

president@sfdi.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September... and beyond 

    By Dave Schneider, Vice President, Calendar                                                                          

      To ensure privacy please note that event Coordinators phone numbers are never posted.  If you are a Club member please consult your Buddy List for the number you need.  If you do not have a copy there will be one available at the next General Meeting, or contact Melissa Ames.

     Just a quick reminder... The Calendar exists for the convenience of all our members.  If you see a future event that is of interest please contact the Coordinator directly. You can sign on to an event at any time.  The Coordinator will be more than pleased to place your name on the list and tell you where to mail payment.

     Remember.. you are  not  confirmed on an event until you have made payment.  A member who signs on later but makes payment first will receive preference.

August 23:  1:00 PM Show 1:30 PM Go (Sunday)  For those who weren't able to be with us on the 12th. we're gonna do an afternoon on Lady-Go-Diver out of Deerfield . We're planning on two reefs but we can work a split drop if there is anybody who wants to do a wreck. Cost will be $55.00, tax and tip included. Call Dave Schneider to sign on. For more info go to www.dixiedivers.com. 

August 27:  Dinner-at-Large (Thursday)  Bruce and Barbara invite one and all to join them for some tantalizing morsels at Christina Wan's, 644 N. Federal Highway.  The dinner gong will be sounding at 7:30.  Call Bruce or Barbara for more details or go to www.christinawans.com. 

August 29:  Donna's Movie Night (Saturday)  That sassy Eade's girl wants y'all to join her for her latest favorite chick-flick... Julie & Julia.  Where, when and the drink of choice  are still a mystery to me but we will let everyone know as soon as we can. 

September 2:  General Meeting  7:30 PM Sharp!  Lauderdale Isles Yacht and Tennis Club  Address and directions elsewhere on the website.  This one is going to be a "social night" so bring your appetite for some "great" pizza.

September 5 - 12:  Bahamas Week  A new twist on an annual favorite.  Rather than just a weekend Jeff & Ginny have us booked for an entire week at the Wyndham Viva Fortuna on Grand Bahama.  It's a great package... round trip transportation.. 7 nights.. 10 dives.. all food.. all liquor.. and it's just $1000.00 +/- per person (around $700.00 for non-divers).  While there is no cap to the number of people who may go there is a cap of 24 divers so get at least your $100.00 deposit in soon.

September 12:   8:00 AM Show  8:30 AM Go (Saturday) "Dirty Dozen Dive"  Gerry Cowen has given us some good diving off the Blue Runner and wants to do so again, so get your gear together and meet him at the Dania Sea Fare.  Cost will be $50.00, tax and tip included.  Gerry will be buying beer for anyone netting less than their 6 lobster quota (uh.. probably not). For more info call Gerry or go to www.coastalmarinediving.com. 

September 14:   SFDI Executive Board Meeting at Connections for Business, 2843 Pembroke Road, NE corner of I-95 and Pembroke Road. Everybody welcome.  Meeting starts at 7:30.

September 17:  Dinner-at-Large (Thursday)  Joe and Julie are taking us for another taste of the Asian Subcontinent with a dinner at Royal India, 3801 Griffin Road.  They plan to ring the gong at 7:30 so be there and be on time for some of South Florida's best Indian cuisine. www.royalindiafl.com 

September 19:   8:30 AM Show 9:00 AM Go (Saturday)  Join Joe Smariga as he takes us aboard the Sea Experience out of Ft. Lauderdale.  Gonna be a great morning.   Cost to be passed on when available, probably $50.00, tax and tip included, or call Joe.  For directions or info on the boat, www.seaxp.com. 

September 23:  1:00 PM Show  1:30 PM Go (Wednesday)  Another chance to enjoys the uncrowded joys of mid-week diving.  We will head to sea on Lady-Go-Diver out of Deerfield Beach.  Lobsters are on the "menu" so join Dave & Elaine Schneider for a great afternoon.  $55.00, tax and tip included.  www.dixiedivers.com 

October 3:  8:00 AM Show 8:30 AM Go  "Catch Your Dinner Dive" (Saturday)  A great way to get ready for the festivities at our annual Seafood Fest!  Gerry Cowen will host us aboard the Blue Runner out of Dania Sea Fare. Gerry promises good hunting, good conditions and, of course, his sparkling personality. All for $50.00, tax and tip included.  Call him in you need more info or go to www.coastalmarinediving.com.

October 3:  Seafood Fest! (Saturday)  Always a highlight of the SFDI Calendar as we go through another fun- filled hurricane season.  Plan to dive today so you can bring your catch as well as the mandatory covered dish to share with all.  Cookies from Publix are not an option. Cost will be $5.00 for members and guests.  Lauderdale Isles Yacht Club  [Map here], 2637 Whale Harbor Lane, Ft. Lauderdale.  As always there will a keg, wine and chicken on the barbie.  5:00PM to Midnight..

October 7:  General Meeting  7:30 PM Sharp!  Lauderdale Isles Yacht and Tennis Club  Address and directions elsewhere on the website.  

October 9 - 11: Dive the Vandenberg Pete Stephinson is organizing a weekend trip to Key West to dive the colossal new wreck Vandenberg. Pete plans to dive on Saturday and Sunday. The cost will be $80.00 per day, $160.00 for the two days, tax and tip included. He is also arranging for lodging, cost to be announced but probably around $90.00 per room. Keep posted for more details or call Pete directly.

October 9:  Bowling With Joe G. (Friday)  Everyone had a great time last year so Joe wants to reprise his success.  We're going to SpareZ Bowling at 5325 S. University Drive in Davie.  Cost will be $25.00, including 3 hours of bowling, shoes, pizza buffet and sodas.  Great deal!  Joe is calling for a 6:00 PM Show and 6:45 Go. www.sparezbowling.com 

October 12:   SFDI Executive Board Meeting at Connections for Business, 2843 Pembroke Road, NE corner of I-95 and Pembroke Road. Everybody welcome.  Meeting starts at 7:30.

October 17:  1:30 PM Show 2:00 PM Go (Saturday)  The reefs of Palm Beach County beckon y'all for some A-1 diving and hunting, if you so desire.  We're going on Starfish Enterprise out of Lantana. Cost will be $55.00, tax and tip included.  Dinner at the Old Key Lime House is always a good way to end the day.  Call Dave Schneider for details or to book.  www.idivestarfish.com for info on the boat.

October 18:  Brunch-at-Large (Sunday)  Bruce Wills has added a new twist to our monthly favorite. He wants as many appetites as possible to join he and Barbara at the Blue Moon Fish Co., Commercial Blvd. and the Intracoastal. Possibly the best Sunday brunch in South Florida, Bruce is planning to chow-down at Noon. Cost for unlimited food plus your choice of Bloody Mary, Mimosa or a glass of champagne is $29.95. For a look at the venue and the menu go to www.bluemoonfishco.com 

October 23 - 25:   Penne-Camp & Dive Weekend  Back for a second year, we will be limited to 6 tents this time around.  A weekend in "the woods", good friends, food, drink and maybe a little diving thrown in for good measure.  All for around $20.00 per person, diving not included. More to follow or call Dave Schneider.

December 5:   Holiday Party  What's a Calendar without mention of this one?

OVERSEAS 2010

Tobago 2010

May 8th - May 15th

"The waters of Tobago teem with colorful reef fish and healthy corals, but it is the encounters with the "Giants of the Drift" that truly set this island apart from all other Caribbean dive destinations.

Accommodation:  Manta Lodge

Estimated cost for the trip is $1500 and includes:

-       Round trip airfare from Miami to Tobago (includes taxes and transfers)

-       7 day package

o    Lodging and breakfasts

o    5 day diving package (5 X 2 dives)

o    travel Insurance

A $200 deposit is required to confirm your place. Payments will be accepted monthly with full payment by March 2010

DOMINICA 2010   

June 12  -  19       

Great diving, quaint surroundings and some good above water activities will highlight the Dominica 2010 adventure.

       We're looking at a price of $ 1900.00 +/- and this will include all transportation, transfers, room, full breakfasts, trip insurance and gratuities.

      Four  days of 2 tank diving

      One day of 3 tanks plus lunch on board

      One whale and dolphin watching trip

      Unlimited shore diving

        Spots will be limited so call Dave Schneider to reserve yours now.  A $ 200.00 deposit is required which can be paid at the September meeting or you can mail your check to Kim Hunziker. 

"POLICIES & PROCEDURES" NOW PUBLISHED ON THE WEBSITE

The rules and regulations that we must all abide by are now printed in their entirety on the website.  I cannot stress enough how important it is that all members, new and old, read and be thoroughly aware of how these rules apply to them.  I have summarized below some of the more important points.

Payment:    A member is confirmed only after they have paid. Payments for dives must  be made when signing up. Payments for trips must be made according to the schedule as outlined by the Coordinator.  In the event that a dive, trip, etc. is overbooked than those confirmed to go will be determined by the date order of payment.

Cancellation:   Once a member signs on for a dive, event, etc. he/she is obligated to pay unless they contact the Coordinator by the specified cancellation time, as outlined in the Policies and Procedures.  

Certification Requirements:  Some dives will be restricted to divers with certain minimum requirements, generally as specified by the dive operator. In some cases these minimums may be set by the Coordinator in conjunction with the E-Board based on the profile and/or characteristics of the planned dive.  No exceptions will be allowed for any reason.

Special Needs:  Some of our members have "special needs" when participating on a dive or trip.  These can be cases where the person needs extra assistance on a dive boat, special requirements regarding accommodations, etc.  Coordinators are not psychic.  It is the responsibility of the member to make sure the Coordinator knows of these needs well in advance of the event.

Please be sure that these rules are clear to you.  If not, get clarification from any E-Board member.