February 2012
DIVE LOCALLY
Campbell River British Columbia
Realm of the Giant Pacific Octopus
WHERE IT REALLY MATTERS
Crater Lake Oregon’s Gift
Cayman Brac Groupers become Groupies
Volume 16 Issue 8 $3.00 US/$3.50 Canada
Come Explore Whidbey Island’s Dive-rse Culture (both above and below the surface)
Str ait of
a Fuc de an Ju
Deception Pass Marine Park
Sk ag i t Bay
Domino’s Pizza 360.679.4141 www.dominos.com
•Oak Harbor
Cr
es
Pen n •Coupeville
Adm i
ralt y
Inl
rbor
Flyers Restaurant & Brewery O.H. Chamber of Commerce 360.675.5858 360.675.3755 www.eatatflyers.com oakharborchamber.com
Co ve
aP tog Sara
Keystone Jetty
ce n t Ha
e
t •Greenbank
Thrive Community Fitness 360.675.2600 thrivecommunityfitness.com
as sag e
Langley Tire Reef
Whidbey Island Dive Center 360.675.1112 www.whidbeydive.com
•Langley
Posession Sound
•Clinton
Puge t So un d
Hawaii Seasport Divers 800.685.5889 www.seasportdivers.com
Come visit our diver friendly businesses
Land of Aloha Kaui
Capt Charley Neal's Scuba Shack 877.213.4488 www.scubashack.com
Maui
Ed Robinson's Diving Adventures 800.635.1273 www.mauiscuba.com
Jack's Diving Locker 800.345.4807 www.jacksdivinglocker.com
Hawaii
Dolphins and Manta Rays and Reefs 2
Oh my!
We support our local dive shops - without them we will not have a dive industry.
FEBRUARY 2012 IN THIS ISSUE ◄ Photo by Jett Britnell
Jett Britnell is an internationally published marine photojournalist who has over 29 years of diving experience in British Columbia’s Emerald Sea and the World’s tropical oceans. His photography and diving articles have appeared in many diving publications worldwide. For more information, go to www.jettbritnell.com.
Northwest Dive News
The complete resource for what’s happening in diving in the Pacific Northwest. P.O. Box 1494 Oak Harbor, WA 98277 Phone (360) 240-1874 Fax (360) 279-1814 www.nwdivenews.com
Publisher and Editor Rick Stratton rick@divenewsnetwork.com Production Manager IJ James ij@divenewsnetwork.com Graphic Designer TJ Pierzchala tj@divenewsnetwork.com Expo Coordinator Selene Muldowney expo@divenewsmag.com Travel Editor Jett & Kathryn Britnell Accounts Manager Tove Chatham accounting@divenewsmag.com Advertising Sales Roosevelt Rumble (360) 240-1874 ext103 sales@nwdivenews.com Northwest Dive News (NWDN) is committed to promoting the sport of scuba diving in the Pacific Northwest. We will present a practical, unbiased point of view regarding all aspects of the sport of scuba diving. Topics covered will include information on current events, dive sites, dive training, dive safety, boat diving, dive buddy network and the personal experiences of our readers, Northwest scuba divers. NWDN believes in honesty and integrity in business and will support all efforts related to this. We encourage our readers to participate in determining the content of this publication by giving us their opinions on the types of articles they would like to see. We invite letters to the editor, manuscripts and photographs related to diving or diving related business. IMPORTANT NOTICE NWDN reserves the right to refuse service to anyone it chooses. The contents of NWDN are opinions of individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor or any of its staff. The publishers and contributors assume no responsibility for any mishap claimed to be a result of use of this material. Diving is an adventure sport and contains inherent risks. Improper use of diving equipment or improper diving techniques may result in serious injury or death. Readers are advised to use their own best judgment in each individual situation. Subscription Rates: U.S. one year $35.00 (3rd Class) Canadian $45 USF EARN A FREE 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION NWDN wants your diving related stories, cartoons, articles and pictures, and we’ll reward you by sending you a one (1) year subscription in return for the right to publish your original work. In order to win you must be published. This will apply for one article, photo or cartoon per six month period. Stories should be a maximum of 1,200 words and we strongly suggest you include pictures or artwork with your story submissions to increase the likelihood that you will be published. Email submissions to nwdiver @nwdivenews.com or mail to P.O. Box 1494 Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Any material accepted may be printed by any means and is subject to revision as required. We are not responsible for returning such without a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Monthly Columns Editor’s Note.......................................4
Mystery Critter..................................26
Incoming Mail.....................................5
DAN/Medical Column....................... 27
Hot News............................................6
BoatingRegulations..........................28
Regional News ..................................8
Gear Box.....................................30-31
Fit & Healthy Challenge...................... 9
Dive Directory..............................28-29
Dive & Travel EXPO ...................10-13
Tropical Dive Directory................30-31
NORTHWEST US DIVES 14 Crater Lake: Oregon’s Gift to the World of Diving “It’s an iconic place,” said diver Kevin Martens. “It’s such a beautiful place and to see what’s underwater must be even more beautiful.” Diver Ellie Fisher added, “It’s not like going to the ocean and crabbing – it’s something out of the ordinary.” Everyone had different motives; the challenge, the adventure, the distinctive underwater landscape or simply the fact they could dive the clear, blue lake. Discover Oregon’s gift, and find out if it’s really “worth it”. By Kimberly Bowker
NORTHWEST CANADA DIVES
18 In The Realm of the Giant Pacific Octopus
In modern times, Hollywood filmmakers have propagated the octopus celebrity by portraying them in B movies as villainous creatures that terrorize seaside communities, prey on unsuspecting treasure divers, or drag ill-fated ships to the bottom of the sea. Fortunately for mankind, these dramatic myths were based more upon fiction than fact. Of the more than 289 species of octopus in the world there is only one that can truly be called a giant – the giant Pacific octopus (octopus dolfleini), the largest octopus in the world. Jett visited Argonaut Wharf in Campbell River to study these intriguing giants By Jett Britnell
TROPICAL DESTINATIONS 22 Cayman Brac: Groupers become Groupies
Every time we descended they were there waiting. They were there waiting to follow us. They stalked us like jealous exboyfriends making sure we were not on our way to date anyone else. Our stalkers were the local groupers of the Cayman Brac area. But this did not impede the diving in Cayman Brac, in fact, the group from Helena Scuba in Helena, MT actually discovered the amazing, wonderful diving of Cayman Brac. Beckoning to few other than divers, this cozy island is part of the Cayman Islands, and located about 90 miles northeast of Grand Cayman. But what else can you see aside from the diver’s groupie? By Karen Cox
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3
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Do you have an opinion? Contact us: editor@divenewsmag.com
Dive News Network Media Group, Are You a Member? his year marks the Dive News Network’s 16 anniversary. During harnessing the power we talked
T
th
our time in business, we have been providing informative services, which have made and helped maintain the connection between divers and the dive industry. We have come a very long way from newsletter, to newspaper, to magazine, and now we consider ourselves a media and marketing group! A media group may sound ostentatious and sometimes I feel full of myself when I reference to other companies that I am now a ‘media mogul’. But we have changed the way we do business. Last year we added 2 more magazines under the main Dive News Network umbrella making our total 5 monthly print magazines. We also expanded our Dive News web portal, increased our YouTube activity, and most of all upped the ante with social media like Facebook and Twitter. Our presence online has increased our ability to create interactive articles, and real-time updates from the dive industry. We have grown into a user friendly, information driven, and beautifully interfaced full-service network with so much to offer the dive community as a whole. But what is a membership in this media group really mean for the dive business-owner, and what benefit can it bring? We give you the power to harness all of this new technology (YouTube, Facebook, the new digital edition I’ll tell you about shortly) and allow you as a member of the Dive News Network Media Group to put the power in your hands. Let’s say you are having an awesome cool fund-raiser for inner city kids to experience diving as part of your dive shop. You could take out an ad, which is a fantastic option, but now we have the ability to expand your advertising dollars to more than just a 1-dimensional print item. We can add your blurb to the hot news, activities calendar, and also give this some extra oomph by highlighting it. Most magazines can do this, but we’ve added the whipped cream, chocolate sauce and cherry on top of this sundae by
about in the last paragraph. We can post on Facebook the month/week/day before your event to remind people it’s happening. We can make your event a highlighted news blurb on the www.divenewsnetwork.com, www.nwdivenews.com website. And most of all, we can take advantage of the electronic E-dition of the Northwest Dive News magazine. This month marks the first expanded electronic edition of Northwest Dive News magazine and even my socks are blown away (and I knew it was coming)! This E-dition not only allows the magazine to be immediately available to Northwest Dive News’ readers, it also allows us to embed a video or slideshow related to your event right into the magazine. Want a link to a YouTube video with your hot news, to drive readership to your event’s Facebook page, or a pdf of the flyer with store coupons attached to pop-up when they click? We can do that! As a note to our readers, we will soon be implementing a subscription setup for this cool new E-dition. And we look forward to sharing this with you soon, but rest assured all of our articles will still be available on the site. We will continue publishing our content on the web for your convenience! We are striving to make the Dive News Network Media Group your connection to what’s happening in the dive industry, and look forward to finding new and innovative ways to make that happen!
Rick
Do you want to be a better diver? Take The Challenge! July 20-31
Scuba Competition with an edge! 4
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www.nwdivenews.com Northwest Dive News January 2010 Check out our NEW website: www.divenewsnetwork.com
MONTHLY ARTICLES INCOMING MAIL Dear Rick,
Thank you for developing the E-edition of Northwest Dive News. I am an active member of the Josephine County Search and Rescue Dive team. I like reading about the dive activities of the Pacific Northwest. I do travel some and enjoy reading the magazine without having to carry the magazine and just read it on my Kindle Fire. In my scuba trips I would usually carry several of your magazines so I would have the name and numbers of dive shops for support resources during my trips, well now I can just use a WI-FI connection and get that info. Thanks again, Jim Phillippe Eagle Point, Oregon
Hey Jim,
Thanks for the kudos! We put forth a great amount of effort to make the digital editions, but you haven’t seen anything yet. Like I talked about in my publisher’s note this month, the new E-dition will blow you away! I And the best part is, it will work with your Kindle Fire.Hopefully you like it! Thanks, Rick
Dear Rick,
2011 was my first year as a diver and as an attendee at the show. I was very glad I attended and look forward to this year’s show. I remember there being a magazine with the calendar of events for the different classes that was available, is there any way to receive this calendar ahead of schedule to we can pre-book for the classes? Other than not being able to pre-register my only other disappointment was not being able to attend the first speaker as we were stuck in a very very long and slow line up, will there be more people doing registration/entrance fees…we are coming from Vancouver, BC and it is a bit challenging getting in much earlier. Looking forward to the show, Arlene
Hey Arlene,
We appreciate you taking the time to write, especially about something so important. The lack of information ahead of time and the long line at the entry point is one of our many learning points from last year’s show. We are constantly trying to find ways to improve on what we did at the previous year’s expo. Yup, we know that line is bad. Just so you know, we have expanded to 5 Photo by Stosh Morency entry points where people can pay, but we are also going to pre-sell tickets starting no later than March 1 on the website and allow tickets to be picked up at will-call. You will need to show ID and your printed receipt with this, but our goal is to make getting in faster than last year. You will also be able to show your receipt and ID at the seminar door to get in to those morning seminars, so you won’t miss a second no matter where you “check-in”. With regards to getting the information sooner, we are working to get the seminar schedule up on our website as soon as humanly possible. Our goal is to have that information up on the site (in its entirety) no later than April 1 hopefully sooner. We look forward to seeing you at the Tacoma Convention Center April 21! Thanks, Rick
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Northwest Dive News January 2010 www.nwdivenews.com We support local divers - Local divers support the industry.
5
HOT NEWS Get your business noticed by sending us your NEWS/EVENTS: editor@divenewsmag.com Hornby Island Diving Turns 40
Bob Zielinski moved to Hornby in 1972 and began selling air fills off his boat, Oceaner and Hornby Island Diving evolved from those early air fill sales to include boat charters and accommodation by the late 1970’s. In 1996 Bob passed on the business to his son Rob Zielinski, who today operates the business with his wife Amanda. Happy 40th birthday to Hornby Island Diving and Happy 1st birthday to Ava Zielinski! For more info visit www.hornbyislanddiving.com
Local Dive Shop Offer Free Work Shops
Bubbles Below in Woodinville, WA is taking a step to help local divers with free workshops the last Friday of every month in 2012. The dive workshops will focus on skills that every diver needs to master such as night diving, Spear fishing and drift diving. Owner Bud Grey wants to offer divers of all skill levels the chance to enhance their skills for free. Those interested in attending the workshops should visit the Bubbles Below website at www.bubblesbelow.com for more times of the workshops as well as more info.
Fund-raising DVD “Kelp and Critters” now available.
After 3 years of filming and editing the DVD “Kelp and Critters is launched. Kelp and Critters takes a journey through 4 seasons of marine life in the Pacific Northwest introducing viewers to many of its underwater inhabitants and discovering their lives. Witness the interaction between fish, invertebrate life and mammals in their environments of salt water, kelp, eelgrass and rocks. Proceeds of the DVD help fund stewardship and conservation projects. A trailer of the DVD can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6n-IJTUOSU. The DVD is sold through a growing number of marine institutions and dive shops. To order or for more info visit www.rendezvousdiving. com/volunteer.htm.
Victoria Potluck UW Hockey Tournament
The 33rd Annual Victoria Potluck UW Hockey tournament is taking place at Saanich Commonwealth Place in Victoria, BC on Feb. 4 in the pool. Registration time is 9-9:30 a.m. and the pool time is from 10:30-5 p.m. For more info email hellopatti@shaw.ca.
DIVE CLUB HOSTS USCGAUX Basic Boating Class & BECOMES A REEF STATION
The Oregon Scuba Club has arranged for a USCGAUX Basic Boating Class to be held on Tuesday evenings in Feb. This class will cover boating on local river systems and in the Puget Sound. Diving from boats will also be discussed. For more info about getting a Boating Card, please visit www.cgaux.org/boatinged/ classes/2011/abs.php. Also, the Oregon Scuba Club is now an official REEF station. They will be having a basic fish ID class in March. Space is limited to 20 people. The meeting schedule for OR Scuba Club can be found in the activities section on pg 7. For more info visit www.oregonscuba.com. 6
AS SEEN ON YOUTUBE
Walter Bolton, a local diver and The Diving Enthusiast LLC with Central Oregon Diving has made a video at God’s Pocket. Watch what the “vocalizing” dolphin does in turning Bolton around! See the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9MKymBTxC8. For more info on Central Oregon Diving visit www.codiving.com.
GET COLLEGE CREDIT FOR TAKING A SCUBA CLASS
Hydrosports in Oregon began a formal relationship with Western Oregon University to offer SCUBA through the Department of Health and Physical Education. The first semester began in Jan. For those interested the class is called PE 199 the Open Water Scuba Diver Class. For more info visit www.hydrosports.com or www.wou.edu.
DAY OF RESCUE in WASHINGTON
On March 24 Seattle Scuba will be hosting another of their bi-annual “Day of Rescue” events as part of their continuing commitment to preventing dive accidents and ensuring that divers are ready to assist one another in an emergency. These FREE events are open to anyone who has completed the Rescue Diver certification with any agency and has local diving experience. Participants who need rental equipment for the day can rent from Seattle Scuba at half price, or can just show up at the beach and join the fun. We will practice tired/ panicked/unresponsive diver drills, alternating through victim and rescuer roles. For more info visit www.seattlescuba.com.
Flashback Scuba Museum NOW OPEN
After much anticipation, the Flashback Scuba Museum is open! Tacoma Scuba and Flashback Scuba held their first public showing of the museum on Jan. 6. The museum is dedicated to sharing diving history with future generations. To do this, they travel to events, teach classes, and set up exhibits around the country and abroad. Owner and curator Ryan Spence answered questions and gave some folks a personalized tour. For more info visit www.flashbackscuba.com.
publication of PNWUPS GETS NWDN SEAL OF APPROVAL
Pacific Northwest Diver is the publication of the Pacific Northwest Underwater Photographic Society (PNWUPS). This amazing web-based magazine is full of photos we drool over, as well as really awesome articles from your favorite PNW divers including Andy Lamb and Jana Nichols and many more. We want to congratulate Dan Clements for putting together such an amazing publication. We know the hard work it takes, and appreciate all the effort from those involved. Subscription is free, and e-mail addresses are not shared with other groups or businesses. We encourage all of our NWDN fans to check out a copy next time you are online! If you have any questions about subscribing, please contact www.pnwups.com.
Northwest Dive News January 2010 Send Us Your News/Eventswww.nwdivenews.com FREE at editor@divenewsmag.com
CLUB MEETINGS & EVENTS Feb 1: Emerald Sea Dive Club, 7 p.m., Shawn O’Donnell’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, Everett, WA. www.emeraldseadiveclub.org Feb 1: Marker Buoy Dive Club, 7 p.m., Sunset Hill Community Center, Seattle, WA. www.markerbuoydiveclub.org Feb 1: Puget Sound Depth Charters, 6 p.m., Louie G’s Pizza and Pasta, Fife, WA. www.psdepthchargers.com Feb 2: GSNDAMBAA Dive Club, 6 p.m., Edmonds Underwater Sports, Edmonds, WA. www.gsndambaa.org Feb 2: Northwest Dive Club, 6:30 p.m., Salem, OR. www.salemscuba.com Feb 2: Oregon Scuba Club, 7 p.m., Max’s Fanno Creek Brew Pub, Tigard, OR. www.oregonscuba.com Feb 3: First UWH Practice, 7 p.m., Gresham, OR. www.meetup.com Feb 4: Sea Lion Encounter, ages 8 and up, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, OR. www.aquarium.org Feb 4: Ocean Career Day, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Seattle Aquarium, Seattle, WA. All students Middle School, High School and college (students, teachers, and parents). Registration Required. www.seattleaquarium.org F e b 4 : D i v e D i c k ’s P l a c e w i t h Surface Interval Society, 7 a.m. Boiler Bay State Wayside, Depoe Bay, OR. www.meetup.com/surface-interval-society Feb 4: Fox Island East Wall dive with Oregon Scuba Club. Dive site is tide sensitive. www.oregonscuba.com Feb 6: Eugene Dive Club, 7p.m., Mookie’s NW Grill on Seneca, Eugene, OR. www.eugenediveclub.com Feb 7: Octopus Encounter, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, OR. www.aquarium.org Feb 7: Desenders Dive Club, Adventure Sports monthly meeting. Gresham, OR. www.adventuresportscuba.com Feb 7: Wet and Wild Diving Society club meeting, 7:30 p.m. Bob Lamb Training Center, Ft. McMurray, AB. www.ghphoto.ca or 780.743.3123 Feb 8: Victoria Speaker Series, 7 p.m., HMS Bounty – The Real Story, Charles Rowley. Maritime Museum of BC, Victoria, BC. www.uasbc.com Feb 10: Sea Squirts: A Slimy Surprise. Preschool program, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, OR. www.aquarium.org Feb 13: Napa Valley Divers, 7 p.m., F i l l i p p i ’s P i z z a G r o t t o , N a p a , C A . www.napavalleydivers.com Feb 14: Diver supported Valentine’s Marriage Proposals at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, OR. www.aquarium.org Feb 14: Portland Sea Searchers, 7 p.m., Portland OR. (503) 709-9306 Feb 15: Salish Sea Explorers Dive Club meeting, 6 p.m., Evergreen Dive Services, Everett, WA. www.everdive.com
Do you want your event listed here? Contact us: editor@divenewsmag.com
Feb 17-19: The Wellness Show in Vancouver, BC. www.thewellnewssshow.com Feb 18: PNW Feb. Extra club dive Jorstand Creek/Octopus Hole dive with Oregon Scuba Club. www.oregonscuba.com Feb 18-26: Octopus Week, Seattle Aquarium, WA. www.seattleaquarium.org Feb. 19: Dive Hood Canal with Public Safety Divers, Gladstone, OR. www.meetup.com/Public-Safety-Divers/ Feb 21: Atomic Ducks Dive Club Channel Dive. Details online www.duckdiveclub.org. Feb 21: Kelp Krawlers Dive Club, 7 p.m. River’s Edge Bar & Grille, Tumwater, WA. www.kelpkrawlers.org. Feb 23: Sea Horse Scuba Club meeting, 7 p.m., see website for location and meeting details. www.seahorsediveclub.com Feb 23: Northwest Adventure Divers, 7p.m., Golden Steer Restaurant, Kent, WA. www.nwadveturedivers.com. Feb 23: Sea Horses Scuba Club, 6 p.m., Round Table Pizza, Redmond, WA. www.seahorsediveclub.com. Feb 24: UWH Practice, 7 p.m., Mt Hood Community College Aquatic Center, Gresham, OR. www.meetup.com Feb 25: NAS Introductory course begins to address some theories of archaeology. More info www.uasbc.com Feb 28: Toooosday night at Alki! Brrrrrrrrrrrgers and beer post dive with Moss Bay Dive Club, 6:00 p.m., Alki Cove 2, Seattle, WA. www.meetup.com/MossBayDiveClub Feb 29: Vancouver Speaker Series, 7:30 p.m., Artificial Reefs Around the World, Jay Straith. Vancouver Maritime Museum, Vancouver, BC. www.uasbc.com Mar 1: Sound Conversations with Jeff Renner, Fritz Stahr, Ph.D., Telescopes for Earth’s “Inner Space”, Ackerley Foundation Puget Sound Hall at Seattle Aquarium, Seattle, WA. www.seattleaquarium.org Mar 1: GSNDAMBAA Dive Club, 6 p.m., Edmonds Underwater Sports, Edmonds, WA. www.gsndambaa.org Mar 1: Northwest Dive Club, 6:30 p.m., Salem, OR. www.salemscuba.com Mar 1: Oregon Scuba Club, 7 p.m., Max’s Fanno Creek Brew Pub, Tigard, OR. www. oregonscuba.com Mar 1-4: Dive Sechelt Inlet, BC with Silent Wolrd Diving Systems, Inc. www.silent-world.com Mar 3-4: The Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show, Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, BC. www.nationalevent.com Mar 5: Eugene Dive Club, 7p.m., Mookie’s NW Grill on Seneca, Eugene, OR. www.eugenediveclub.com Mar 6: Desenders Dive Club, Adventure Sports monthly meeting. Gresham, OR. www.adventuresportscuba.com
Mar 6: Wet and Wild Diving Society club meeting, 7:30 p.m. Bob Lamb Training Center, Ft. McMurray, AB. www.ghphoto.ca or 780.743.3123 Mar 7: Emerald Sea Dive Club, 7 p.m., Shawn O’Donnell’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, Everett, WA. www.emeraldseadiveclub.org Mar 7: Marker Buoy Dive Club, 7 p.m., Sunset Hill Community Center, Seattle, WA. www.markerbuoydiveclub.org Mar 7: Puget Sound Depth Charters, 6 p.m., Louie G’s Pizza and Pasta, Fife, WA. www.psdepthchargers.com Mar 9: UWH Practice, 7 p.m., Mt Hood Community College Aquatic Center, Gresham, OR. www.meetup.com/PortlandUnderwater-Hockey Mar 13: Portland Sea Searchers, 7 p.m., Portland OR. (503) 709-9306 Mar 14: Victoria Speaker Series, 7 p.m., UASBC Diving Activities, The Year In Review, Jacques Marc, Explorations Director UASBC. Maritime Museum of BC, Victoria, BC. www.uasbc.com Mar 16: UWH Practice, 7 p.m., Mt Hood Community College Aquatic Center, Gresham, OR. www.meetup.com/PortlandUnderwater-Hockey Mar 17: Octopus Symposium & Workshop, Seattle Aquarium. Dr. Roland Anderson. Morning and afternoon sessions. Register by Feb. 10 for early bird rate. www.seattleaquarium.org Mar 20: Atomic Ducks Dive Club Channel Dive. Details online www.duckdiveclub.org. Mar 20: Kelp Krawlers Dive Club, 7 p.m. River’s Edge Bar & Grille, Tumwater, WA. www.kelpkrawlers.org. Mar 21: Salish Sea Explorers Dive Club meeting, 6 p.m., Evergreen Dive Services, Everett, WA. www.everdive.com Mar 22: Northwest Adventure Divers, 7p.m., Golden Steer Restaurant, Kent, WA. www.nwadveturedivers.com. Mar 22: Sea Horse Scuba Club meeting, 7 p.m., see website for location and meeting details. www.seahorsediveclub.com Mar 23: UWH Practice, 7 p.m., Mt Hood Community College Aquatic Center, Gresham, OR. www.meetup.com/PortlandUnderwater-Hockey Mar 24-25: The Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show, BMO Centre – Stempede Park, Calgary, Alberta. www.nationalevent.com Mar 27: Toooosday night at Alki! Brrrrrrrrrrrgers and beer post dive with Moss Bay Dive Club, 6:00 p.m., Alki Cove 2, Seattle, WA. www.meetup.com/MossBayDiveClub Mar 28: Vancouver Speaker Series, 7:30 p.m., Bears, Beavers and Abandoned Ships across the Yukon Landscape, Robyn Woodward. Vancouver Maritime Museum, Vancouver, BC. www.uasbc.com Mar 31: Shipwrecks Conference, 9 a.m., Canadian Forces Pacific Fleet Club, Esquimalt, BC. www.uasbc.com
Northwest Dive News January 2010 www.nwdivenews.com We support local divers - Local divers support the industry.
7
NEWS/EVENTS FUNDRAISERS
Changing Lives in the Cayman Islands
S
ometimes all it takes is a little support to change a life. It is with this in mind that Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman, a leading resort based dive and watersports operator, has been committed to the Special Olympics Program of the Cayman Islands (SOCI). From the beginning when the SOCI was founded in 1987, Red Sail Sports has provided jobs for its athletes. There are two SOCI athletes currently on staff at Red Sail one of which is Andrew Smiley, the mostdecorated Special Olympics athlete in the history of the Cayman Islands. Andrew works in the company’s retail department. The company accommodates his training and competition schedule. O ne of Red Sail’s management, Operations Manager Rod McDowall has a special connection to the local competition and to Andrew. His wife Penny, a local school teacher is also a Special Olympics aquatics coach. She has watched Andrew compete over the years and says that he is as driven as any other athlete. A fierce competitor, she watched Andrew win a silver medal with the best time he had recorded to that date during a competition in
Ireland. He’s competed all over the world, including the World games in Ireland, China and Greece. Most recently Red Sails Sports has signed on to be a Silver Sponsor for the first annual Eric Crutchley Memorial Golf Tournament, a fundraiser for the Special Olympics, in their continuing efforts to support these extraordinary athletes. There are more than 70 Special Olympics athletes in the Cayman Islands, from ages 8 to 50 and above. The Cayman program is small but very well organized and active offering soccer, basketball, swimming, track and bocce for the athletes, and all the training and traveling takes money. Although SOCI organization is mostly volunteered driven, its 2012 budget to give the athletes the best quality yearround training and competition access is $100,000, so fund raising is critical. In addition to sponsoring fundraising events and providing full time employment opportunities for the athletes, Red Sail Sports also helps the Lighthouse School with work experience programs. For more info visit www.redsailcayman.com. ■
FROM A READER: Lost Dive Computer Found!
By: Rick Neumeister
I was diving once again out of God’s Pocket in northern British Columbia, when I lost one of my two dive computers. I thought there was very little chance of seeing it again. Luckily a diver from the Nautilus Swell found it and was persistent in her efforts to contact me. Little did the computer know I was safe and sound on the dive boat! When it was recovered, it had been in the water over 60 hours. As the person who found it wrote, “...SO in deco.” I’m surprised it didn’t say GAME OVER! She had contacted Scubapro with the serial number and was told they couldn’t release the name and address of the registered owner directly. She thought they would try to contact me, but after more than a month, she found the email address of a Scubapro rep, who then made direct contact with us. I so appreciate the extra effort she took to find me. I am definitely one of her fans! ■
Rick and his daughter with the infamous Aladin Prime dive computer. They were diving the San Juan Islands. Photo courtesy Rick Neumesiter
Time is running out… OPEN WATER DIVER
ADVANCED OPEN WATER
RESCUE DIVER
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www.nwdivenews.com LOCAL DIVERS DO IT DOWN AND DIRTY
Northwest Dive News January 2010
NEWS/EVENTS
Where did you dive yesterday? email us: editor@divenewsmag.com
Fizz! Did you hear that? It is the sound of exercise resolutions fizzing out! Statistics show resolutions have a failure rate between 80% and 88%. My personal observation is that when we include the long term, the failure rate goes up to 99%. Why is it so difficult to embrace life and safety enhancing changes? Why do we fail to make them a permanent part of our lives? That is whyThe Fit and Healthy Diver Project came to existence. Seven out of ten divers are overweight or obese, and while many welcomed the New Year eager to lose weight and improve physical fitness, a significant number are in the process of throwing the towel. It’s time to stop that trend! The Fit and Healthy Diver Project is not about how many calories to eat, what exercises to do, how much weight to lose, or other absurd markers that have nothing to do with fitness. Instead, it provides the diver with the tools to make permanent lifestyle changes. Throughout my nearly two decades in the field, I have witnessed the dismal success rate of exercise and weight-loss resolutions but I have also witnessed others who overcame the adversities and incorporated an active lifestyle permanently. What was the difference? Was it hard work? Not really! Both groups worked equally hard. Did the failing group not exercise frequently or long enough? Nope, in fact, the failing group usually exercised more. Was it the diet? Gosh, that is such a subjective question, and “diet” is such a hideous word. No friends; the main difference was guidance and compliance. Those who thought they could do it on their own repeated their mistakes and predictably, failed again. In contrast, those who succeeded sought expert guidance, streamlined their efforts, learned to make better lifestyle decisions and made permanent changes. TheFit and Healthy Diver Project will be your expert guide and will show you why weight- loss, diets, and long bouts of exercise
are poor decisions and doomed to fail. You will learn how to make realistic and achievable goals and will be able to spot the flaws of conventional guidelines. The Fit and Healthy Diver Project is a 7-Week life-changing journey, an adventure to understanding not only the “what” but also the “how” of a healthy and active lifestyle. It will empower so you’ll never have to make an exercise or weight-loss resolution ever again. Skeptic? I cannot blame you! There are so many outrageous and unfulfilled promises, why would this be different? One thing I can tell you is that when promises fail to materialize – even when well intentioned - is because they focus the effort in the wrong aspect. So what do you say we put this to the test? Rick Stratton and the crew of Dive News Network are as excited as I am to bring youThe Health and Fit Diver Project and we’re organizing an awesome contest. The challenge is about improving your health and fitness for good,it is not a weight-loss competition. Again, weight-loss as a goal is doomed to fail. When you are truly fit and healthy, all superfluous weight drops without struggle. Being“overweight and fit” is a fallacy and The Fit and Healthy Diver Project will show you why. The contest is scheduled to launch at the “Dive and Travel Expo” in Tacoma in April 20 – 22. You can find all the rules at www.fahdp.com and yes, it costs you nothing to join. A limited number of spots will be available and registration will close as soon as they’re taken. Make sure you are not left out. There will be cool prizes which will be announced soon so don’t miss the upcoming issues. I hope you are as excited as I am! ~Coach Izzy
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REGIONAL NEWS SPECIAL EVENTS
Northwest Dive & Travel Expo Offers More in 2012 Get FREE Admission when you stay at the
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he Northwest Dive & Travel Expo 2012 will take place this year at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center on April 21-22 and this year the expo is offering visitors more information, more dive industry connections and more fun! This annual diving extravaganza focuses on everything scuba diving. This year’s event will host 50+ free seminars on everything from underwater photography to first aid with DAN. Visitors will be able to meet guest speakers from all over the country as they present the hottest topics in scuba. Guests will get a chance to update their diving skills, discover great new innovations and be inspired by divers who will share their experiences. There will also be 300+ exciting exhibit booths to explore. Vendors from all over the world will be available to answer questions as well as introduce divers to the latest in scuba diving. Visitors will see brand new diving businesses alongside industry standards like Oceanic and White’s. There will also be booths manned by industry organizations
such as PADI and NAUI. Here is a chance for industry wide organizations to meet and reconnect with their membership and share their plans for the upcoming year. This years’ expo will also offer visitors a chance to meet those who offer resort services all over the world. Come put faces with the names of the resorts throughout the dive vacation industry and let them tell you what they have to offer first hand. This year there will be a new and improved kid’s section offering 3-9 year olds a chance to have some interactive fun. Bring the kids and we’ll keep them busy teaching them a bit about the oceans. We have some new fun for the adults this year as well with an on land in show treasure hunt. Guests will be able to obtain a treasure map and using some of today’s technology as well as the show floor and the vendor booths search for buried treasure! So come to the 2012 Northwest Dive & Travel Expo for more fun than you can shake your fins at! For more info on the Expo visit www.diveandtravelexpo.com. ■
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DIVE & TRAVEL EXPO
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hotographers and videographers, do you have that one in a million shot? Well get it out because it is time to showcase it at this years’ Northwest Dive & Travel Expo to be held on April 21-22. The Dive News Network is looking for that perfect shot for the grand prize during this years’ NW Dive & Travel photo contest. This year’s prizes are even better than ever with the grand prize being an expensive tropical dream vacation to an exotic location. The NW Dive & Travel Expo has partnered with World’s Best Diving in order to provide a grand prize of this caliber. There will be a First Place, Second Place and Honorable Mention”. The Annual Dive & Travel Expo photo and video competition is open to all amateur underwater photographers
and videographers. You must be at least 18 years of age. The contest is open regardless of residence or citizenship, so long as the laws of their jurisdiction allow participation. This year’s contest is accepting only digital entries. All work must be original and the person submitting it must have ownership. The contest submissions begin Jan.1 and will run until April 1. Winners will be announced and their winning entries displayed at the Saturday Night Film Festival. Get those photos and videos out and choose your best for the NW Dive & Travel Expo. Submit your work and show folks what our underwater looks like. You never know, next year you may see your winning photo on the cover of Dive News! For more info visit www.diveandtravelexpo.com.
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REGIONAL NEWS SPECIAL EVENTS
Treasure Hunters TIME TO DIVE! T
his year’s Dive and Travel Expo Treasure Hunt will take place in Tacoma, WA on Sunday, April 22 at 9 a.m. Divers will meet at Owen Beach in Point Defiance Park for the chance to uncover thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes. This is the 10th Annual Treasure Hunt and this year will be better than ever. Divers will take to the waters off Owen Beach and search for prizes sponsored by some of the top dive industry business throughout the world including trips and equipment. This will be a great chance to show off those treasure hunting skills. Owen Beach is located within Point Defiance Park in the city of Tacoma, Washington. The popular beach has both sandy and pebbled sections of shore and is easy to dive so divers of all skill levels are welcome. Treasure Hunt 2012 will offer divers the safest event with the most fun possible. If you have always dreamed of hunting for bobbles and treasure, come to the Northwest Dive & Travel Expo 2012 and show us how it’s done! This year there will more exciting prizes for divers to seek out as well as some really special prizes sponsored by some of our network partners. On-site registration begins at 7:30 a.m. but this year divers can register online ahead of time which will save them time. For more info please visit www.diveandtravelexpo.com. ■
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Expo PartnerS with Dive for a Cure!
The Northwest Dive & Travel Expo, April 21-22 at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center in Tacoma, WA, is taking on a cause. This year the Expo will help “Save the Boobies”. Marine Artist Rogest has designed a pink t-shirt especially for the show. The shirt features a Galapagos Blue Footed Boobie bird on the front with the tagline “We Love Boobies”. This play on themes shirt will be sold at the show with all the proceeds going to Dive for a Cure, an organization that helps fight breast cancer. The shirts are being donated to the show by Explorer Ventures, a liveaboards company that conduct a lot of dive trips to the Galapagos Islands. Explorer Ventures president Clay McCardell says that it’s a great cause and they are excited about supporting it this year. “We make many trips to the Galapagos Islands and we are very active in getting the word out about the Blue Footed Boobies; what a great way to showcase two causes, the birds and breast cancer, at the same time.” Dive for a Cure began in 2008 when
Eugene Skin Divers Supply in Eugene, Oregon organized and co-sponsored the first fundraising event and raising almost $20,000. In 2009 they raised $30,000 and in 2010 the fundraising continued to march on coming in at over $42,000.00. All proceeds from the money raised are donated to the Oregon Health Sciences University Knight Cancer Institute for breast cancer research and education. “We believe a cure is out there,” says Diane Hollingshead, co-owner of Eugene Skin Divers Supply, “we just haven’t found it yet. Breast cancer affects everyone in one way or another; whether you have it, your mom, a daughter…everyone has to consider the possibility that it will profoundly affect their lives in some way. We are just doing our part to move the search for a cure along.” Come to the NW Dive & Travel Expo and purchase your shirt to help with breast cancer awareness and research. After all, who doesn’t love the Blue Footed Boobies? For more info visit www.diveandtravelexpo.com. ■
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NORTHWEST DESTINATION OREGON
Crater Lake Oregon’s Gift to the world of diving By Kimberly Bowker Guest Writer, Dive News Network s it worth it?” This seemed to be the most popular question of the day. Passing hikers asked us, and we asked ourselves each hauled nearly 80 pounds of diving gear down the steep trail. Ten divers, and two unsuspecting children, hiked 1.1 miles down 700 ft. to reach the shoreline of Crater Lake. The logical question “is it worth it?” was asked even more often on the hike back up. Our group of divers gathered at 6 a.m. in Eugene, Oregon. We were about to set off to dive the deepest lake in the United States. Everyone had different motives; the challenge, the adventure, the distinctive underwater landscape or simply the fact that we could dive the clear, blue lake. “It’s an iconic place,” said diver Kevin Martens. “It’s such a beautiful place and to see what’s underwater must be even more beautiful.” Diver Ellie Fisher added, “It’s not like going to the ocean and crabbing – it’s something out of the ordinary.” Arriving at Crater Lake National Park around 9:30 a.m., the caravan of cars pulled over at a scenic lookout. Our assembly of determined divers jumped out of the vehicles and stood on the edge of the drop-off, gazing at the ripples in the blue lake below. Each diver was lost in thoughts of what may lay ahead. “Ready for a five minute history lesson?” asked one of the comic reliefs of the day, Vito Furnari, a dive master through Eugene Skin Divers Supply. “Once upon a time there was a mountain and the mountain blew up and then there wasn’t a mountain anymore.” Furnari was correct. Crater Lake, containing 4.6 trillion gallons of water, was once Mount Mazama, rising between 10,000 and 12,000 ft. The volcano erupted 7,700 years ago and formed a volcanic caldera, which filled with water. In 1902, Crater Lake was declared a National Park and now hosts around 483,000 visitors every year. Most visitors travel to the park to see
“I
Photo courtesy Paul Furnari
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Northwest Dive News January 2010
Where did you dive yesterday? email us: editor@divenewsmag.com
Photo
sy courte
CRATER LAKE
i
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Paul F
Photo courtesy Paul Furnari
Your Diving Professionals Since 1956 the seventh deepest lake in the world at 1,943 ft. deep. Few decide to dive it. “Less than 50 people attempt the dive every year,” said Anne Spillane, park ranger at the National Park. According to Spillane, people dive the lake to be suspended in the crystal blue water and to say that they dove Crater Lake. Divers are allowed in the lake if weather permits. The season typically runs from the end of June to mid-October before the snow begins to fall. Permits are not required. The lake sits at an altitude of 6,173 ft., so many divers use tables set for 8,000 ft. At the gift shop we browsed through souvenir sweatshirts, boxer shorts that read ‘bear cheeks,’ stickers and books about knots. All the items provided entertainment as we let our bodies acclimatize to the elevation change.
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NORTHWEST DESTINATION OREGON We drove to the north side of the crater and assembled our gear in the Cleetwood Trail parking lot. Nitrox tanks were attached to BC straps and hoisted onto our backs, weight belts hung securely around our waists and dry suit bags were carefully cradled in our arms. The trees creaked under an overcast sky as we progressed in quick baby steps down the trail. “Even the trees are laughing at us,” Furnari commented. A surprisingly short 20 minutes later, we made it to the bottom. We decided to dive at Cleetwood Cove. The site is next to boat dock where visitors are transported to Wizard Island, another possible dive site in the National Park. To the right of the dock is a sheer wall underwater, and to the are large boulders and a gentle drop-off. We divided into two groups for the dive. Considering the exertion of the hike, the cold water and the altitude, we agreed upon a max depth of about 70 ft. and a three-minute safety stop at 11 ft. The water lapped against the black boulders of the shoreline as the first group entered the 51 degree water. Forty minutes later they reappeared with smiles on their faces. “It was amazing,” said Susanne Snyder. “It was a sheer wall and this trout kept following me.” It was then time for group two to enter the lake. We walked through the typical rocky entry of a Northwest dive site. But the visibility, at about 60 ft., was unlike any other dive location in Oregon. It was so clear, in fact, that it was hard to tell that I was underwater. Crawdads were abundant and the Rainbow Trout that Susanne spotted earlier also quickly weaved between the divers in our group. He looked excited to find some new friends in the sparse environment. Oversized boulders and fallen logs were scattered on the underwater terrain as the bottom sloped down until drastically dropping off into the blue. Large chains and barrels – used to keep the dock secure - were strewn along the bottom providing a man-made component to the geologically historic lake. Turning my head to the right, a vibrant blue color filled the canvas of my vision. I could see nothing but blue. Looking up, 50 ft. above me, I saw rays of sun illuminating the small waves at the surface. Thirty-five minutes later, we also emerged with smiles.
Photo
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Paul
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CRATER LAKE
Where did you dive yesterday? email us: editor@divenewsmag.com
“It was another epic dive,” Paul Furnari said. The dive had fulfilled all the divers’ expectations; the water was a clear blue and the environment was unusual. The grins quickly dissipated, though, as we looked at the trail looming before us. This is one reason why the dive is an adventurous one. We packed up everything we brought down, plus a few additional items found underwater. These included a waterproof watch, a handful of hair ties and, fittingly, a laminated map of the lake complete with depth measurements. For some, the ascent required about 40 minutes to hike out. For others, such as myself, the hike took an hour and a half. We rested on the way up, our tanks banging on the rocks as we tried to comfortably sit down. One diver jokingly threatened to throw herself down the cliff: then Air Life would pick her up and she wouldn’t have to continue the uphill journey. The thought of a six-pack of beer and a bag of pork rinds encouraged us to crest the hill and crawl back to the parking lot. Returning to the cars I asked the group, one last time, “was it worth it?” And the question was answered with a loud, resounding “YES!” ■
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CANADIAN DESTINATIONS CRITTER COVERAGE
Campbell River British Columbia In the Realm of the Giant Pacific Octopus
Photo courtesy Jett Britnell
Below the thunders of the upper deep, Far, far beneath in the abysmal sea, His ancient, dreamless, uninvaded sleep The Kraken sleepeth… (excerpt from The Kraken, by Lord Alfred Tennyson) Story and Photos by: Jett Britnell upple as leather, tough as steel, cold as night!” was how Victor Hugo described the writhing tentacles of a giant octopus in his 1866 novel, Les Travailleurs de la Mer. Hugo wrote of an unimaginable account of a man embroiled in a life or death struggle with a malevolent blood-thirsty cephalopod. Indeed, what could be more horrible than to find oneself suddenly trapped in a nightmarish death struggle with a slippery, eight-armed sea monster? In modern times, Hollywood filmmakers have propagated the octopus’s celebrity by
“S
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portraying them in B movies as villainous creatures that terrorize seaside communities, prey on unsuspecting treasure divers, or drag ill-fated ships to the bottom of the sea. Fortunately for mankind, these dramatic myths were based more upon fiction than fact. Of the more than 289 species of octopus in the world there is only one that can truly be called a giant – the giant Pacific octopus (octopus dolfleini), the largest octopus in the world. This octopus inhabits the colder coastal waters of the North Pacific Ocean from Japan to California from the shoreline to depths of 600 feet. Though population estimates don’t
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exist, the species is not deemed to be an endangered species. Highly intelligent, these brainy cephalopods are known to solve mazes very quickly and unscrew jar lids to retrieve food inside the jar. They are also one of the only marine invertebrates that actually employ strategy, rather than instinct, to capture prey. The largest giant Pacific octopus ever found reportedly weighed 600 pounds and measured 31 feet from tentacle to tentacle. Though disproportionately strong for their size, as demonstrated by one enterprising 40-pound octopus at the Seattle Aquarium who once escaped after moving a 60-pound Northwest Dive News January 2010
GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUS
Where did you dive yesterday? email us: editor@divenewsmag.com
weight from the top of its tank, giant Pacific octopus need not be feared. In the wild, they have proven themselves to be shy, intelligent, gentle and harmless creatures. West Coast scuba divers consider an encounter with these beguiling cephalopods to be the highlight of any dive. While they might be giants, Pacific Northwest underwater photographers salivate at the very thought of capturing just one photograph of their dive buddy entangled in a gripping embrace with Hugo’s fictitious sea monster. Like many other ocean predators, octopus hunt their prey by night, habitually retreating to their dens during the daytime hours which can be either under a rock, squeezed into a natural rock crevice, shipwrecks or underground caves. Apart from providing some protection from its predators, their den is also used for hatching their eggs, or feeding. A telltale sign that marks the entrance to an octopus’s den is a pile of shells and other rubble that the octopus has discarded. Like most cephalopods, the giant Pacific octopus has a brief life span of only three to five years. Finding a giant Pacific octopus is relatively easy at many select dive sites in British Columbia. One site in particular that always seems to deliver these mollusks is Argonaut Wharf in Campbell River. Situated at Tyee Spit, the wharf is accessed either by shore entry or dive boat. My preference has always been to make a splash along the wharf’s outer pilings. From the surface, Argonaut Wharf appears to be an unlikely spot for a dive site, let alone be considered an octopuses’ garden. Yet, over the years this undersea cathedral has proven to be one of the Pacific Northwest’s best places to find giant Pacific octopus. Its shallow sandy bottom begins in about 10 feet of water and slopes gradually to a depth of about 40 feet toward the Discovery Passage’s inviting current-swept channel. Since we needed some portraits of a diver interacting with the world’s largest octopus, Argonaut Wharf seemed to me to be a good place to start. Some diving days you get lucky. And this one proved to be no exception. Before I had even reached the sea floor thirty feet down, I could see that one of my diving partners had already found a giant Pacific octopus out in the open, clinging to the side of a wharf piling. Not too shabby, I thought, since he only had a two-minute head start on me. I framed the scene in my camera’s viewfinder and commenced making pictures. The photo opportunities during this dive were tremendous. We watched with glee as this mesmerizing eight-armed creature propelled itself skyward, and then descended like a rubbery parachute towards the sand. Then, as if signaling the end of our meeting, the octopus seemingly tried to melt into the
February 14th Octopus Blind Date
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CANADIAN DESTINATIONS CRITTER COVERAGE background by again clinging to one of the pier supports pilings with its suckers. Clearly, Argonaut Wharf is one of those unlikely dive sites that continues to shine as a place where luck happens. Another sure fire dive site for encounters with octopus is Dillon Rock, which is situated at the mouth of Shushartie Bay, off the northern tip of Vancouver Island. A green navigation marker pinpoints the top Dillon Rock making it very easy to find. What looks small and unassuming on the surface gives way to something more inviting beneath the waves. Dillon Rock slopes gently down for about 15 or 20 feet underwater before you hit a vertical wall that drops more steeply to sand and silt bottom at approximately 80 feet. A lush forest of bull kelp crowns the top 30 feet of the rock thus providing shelter for a multitude of schooling fish. Dillon Rock can be circumnavigated quite easily during one dive. Visibility can vary from day to day so I suggest carrying a light to search the rock’s nooks and crannies It is not uncommon to see as many as a dozen friendly wolf eels and potentially half as many large octopuses on one dive. Though octopus tend to hide out in the cracks and crevices that they use as their dens, you are more likely come across one sitting right out in the open than anywhere else. They seem to have grown accustomed to the presence in their midst. The pristine emerald seas that surround Vancouver Island offers some of the best cold water diving in the world. It is little wonder that many who have dived at Dillon Rock rate it as being one of their absolute favorites. In these northern seas, Dillon Rock is one of those amazing dive sites that deliver wolf eels and octopus on just about every dive. During my first of two descents at Dillon Rock, I discovered a large octopus sitting out in open among the broad amber colored leaves of bottom kelp. Unfortunately, my camera was only equipped with a macro lens so I could not shoot any wide-angle pictures. Approximately 4 hours later, I returned with my wide-angle camera rig to the precise
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LOCAL DIVERS DO IT MORE OFTEN
Photo courtesy Jett Britnell
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GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUS
Octopus Week Comes to the Seattle Aquarium
O
ctopus Week is coming to the Seattle Aquarium on Feb. 18-26. Full of fun and learning about one of the coolest creatures in Puget Sound, this is a much anticipated annual event. Don’t miss the Octopus Blind Date on Feb. 14 beginning at noon. Watch what happens when sixteen arms, six hearts (three hearts each) and two giant Pacific octopuses meet on Valentine’s Day. Feb. 18 the week’s fun begins with hands-on activities for kids, octopus feedings and talks happening each day. There will also be a live octopus release. Feb. 25 another octopus will be released. Come out and see what these incredible creatures are all about. For more info visit www.seattleaquarium.org.
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You’re a diver ~ I’m a diver. I UNDERSTAND!
Photo courtesy Jett Britnell
location where I had last seen my octopus. Amazingly, I found him in the exact same place approximately 4 hours later. While I focused my attention on this one octopus, other divers emerged from the water claiming that they had seen as many as five different octopuses on their dive. Truth is stranger than fiction. The giant Pacific octopus is not the nightmarish sea creature that Victor Hugo described in his famous novel. Nor can this amazing cephalopod be compared to a horrifying sea monster like the mythical Kraken who wraps their eight writhing tentacles around the hulls of ships, crushes them, then drags them down to Davy Jones’ Locker. In reality, the
giant Pacific octopus is one of the signature marine species in the Pacific Northwest’s Emerald Sea. Amazing encounters await undersea explorers who dive… “Below the thunders of the upper deep. Far, far beneath in the abysmal sea. His ancient, dreamless, uninvaded sleep. The Kraken sleepeth… in the realm of the giant Pacific Octopus.” Jett Britnell is an internationally published marine photojournalist who has over 29 years of diving experience in British Columbia’s Emerald Sea and the World’s tropical oceans. His photography and diving articles have appeared in many diving publications worldwide. For more information, go to www.jettbritnell.com.
Law offices of George T. Freeman 3409 McDougall Ave., Ste. 288 Everett, WA 98201
(425) 317-9000 or (888) GTF-FIRM
We support our local dive shopS - without them we will not have a dive industry.
21
TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
Caribbean Sea
Cayman Brac Groupers become Groupies
Photo courtesy Karen Cox
By Karen Cox Guest Writer, Dive News Network
T
here they were! Every time we descended they were there waiting. They were there waiting to follow us. They stalked us like jealous ex-boyfriends making sure we were not on our way to date anyone else. Sometimes they were silently behind us, and others they were right in our face as if they wanted us to acknowledge them. Sometimes they were right next to us just like a good dive buddy; but they were always there. What did they want? Why lunch of course! Our stalkers were the local groupers of 22 22
the Cayman Brac area. Normally friendly, divers and groupers have always had a good relationship; however, these overly friendly groupers had learned if they follow the divers, they might get a free, very tasty and exotic meal; lionfish. Groupers cannot catch lionfish, but as soon as the dive master spears one, there’s a grouper right there to eat the tasty carcass. In March of 2011, I got the chance to dive the Cayman Brac. I often do group dive travel events with the folks at Helena Scuba in Helena, MT. The owners, Karen and Glen McKinnon, plan some fantastic trips and
LOCAL DIVERS DO IT MORE www.nwdivenews.com OFTEN!
I have never failed to have the best time. Cayman Brac is an island that’s part of the Cayman Islands. It is located about 90 miles northeast of Grand Cayman and 5 miles east of Little Cayman. The Cayman’s a favorite destination place for the rich and famous; however, Cayman Brac has little on it that would appeal to anyone other than a diver. This trip to the Cayman Brac was one I had scheduled for 2008 but Hurricane Paloma changed those plans. She took her toll on the island and the resort the day before we arrived so our trip was delayed until shortly after they completed re-construction. Our group of 12 Northwest Dive News January 2010
CAYMAN BRAC
Where did you dive yesterday? email us: editor@divenewsmag.com
Photo courtesy Karen Cox
Discover the hiDDen paraDise of LittLe cayman
people from the Helena Scuba dive shop flew to Cayman Brac in late March. We arrived to an entirely rebuilt Brac Reef Beach Resort. A family-owned all-inclusive getaway the Cayman Brac Resort is located on four and a half acres of white-sand beachfront on the island of Cayman Brac. Diving is their specialty, but they cater to non-divers too. We settled in comfortably and went directly to Reef Divers II for the dive orientation. Reef Divers is located on the Brac Reef Beach Resort property just steps from the rooms and dining hall but they are owned and operated by a different company. The boats are newer and in great condition and our BCD’s were waiting for us each morning hanging on a fresh tank. We had the same dive master most of the time during our visit to Cayman Brac. This is really important to me, because I like the concept of my dive master getting to know me as a diver and helps make for a better trip. The dive masters were fun and tried to make each dive briefing entertaining by adding some good (and bad) jokes. One of the dive masters even brought us some fresh fried Lionfish so we could experience just what the groupers found so tasty. There is a lot of scuba diving to be done in the Cayman Brac area including a 330 ft. Russian Koni class frigate built in the Soviet Union in 1984 for the Cuban Navy. It
Below Lies A Spectacular Adventure
Legendary Bloody Bay Wall Dazzling Marine Life
Discover Cayman Brac… an unforgettable experience of breathtaking, natural beauty on an uncrowded island paradise.
Pristine Beaches Unspoiled Nature And a resort that captures the beauty of this amazing island! For Rates & Availability www.littlecayman.com 800.327.3835
5
Night Dive Packages starting at $980
Call (800) 594-0843 for reservations and information scan the tag or visit
www.bracreef.com Get the free mobile app at
http:/ / gettag.mobi www.nwdivenews.com
Local divers don’t just dive locally - they dive globally! Northwest Dive News January 2010
23
TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
Caribbean Sea
is easily dived. The Koni II class frigate was purchased and sunk by the Cayman Islands government in September 1996. It was rechristened the M/V Captain Keith Tibbetts, after a well-known Cayman Brac politician when it was sunk. It is located in a sandy area with generally good visibility, approximately 650 ft. offshore from Buccaneer, on the island’s north side, near the western tip of the island. The diving around Cayman Brac is all boat diving however there is very little down time while you travel to the dive sites. There is a choice of 120 dive sites including the world-renowned Bloody Bay Wall which has been rated one of the top dives of the Caribbean.It is a sheer wall and you can look down into the abyss. Divers will discover lobster hanging out at 94 ft.Vis was about 100 ft. and there are a lot of fish along with thousands of garden eels. The East Chute is a very popular dive site and is located on the north side of the island. This is both a wall dive and a wreck dive. The chute slices through the wall and begins at about 50 ft. The wreck diving part is the Cayman Mariner at 60 ft. This wreck was sunk in 1986. There are rays, groupers and eels that make the Chute and the Cayman Mariner their home. The vis was about 70 ft. Another
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Northwest Dive News January 2010
Where did you dive yesterday? email u
CAYMAN BRAC The only Technical Dive Store in Tacoma
Experience Excellence! Two Eagles Lodge is located on beautiful Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. The island is considered a “Playground” for everyone – from sea to sky.
(253) 238-1754
1602 Center St. Ste C, Tacoma, WA
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Experience Paradise! CALL: 250.335.2342 w w w. t wo e a g l e s l o d g e . c o m
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Photo courtesy Tim Pate
site everyone talks about is the Inside Out. This is a section of wall on the south side of the island. Among the sand chutes and large sponges you will discover a coral head in about 50 ft. of water. Divers can take this dive all the way to 96 ft. and see great marine life darting along the wall. Both of these dives are fairly easy so all levels of divers will enjoy them. The crystal clear water helps you to appreciate the beauty of the underwater area. Five days just wasn’t enough! The Brac Reef Beach Resort provides a full meal package and I highly recommend choosing that package. There is almost nothing on Cayman Brac so your dining choices are limited and many locals even come to eat at Brac Reef. The food was buffet style with many different choices plus dessert every night and everything was fabulous! The wait staff was so personable and even knew the names of everyone in our group after only a day. After a fun day of diving there is a nice beach bar with appetizers for purchase and a warm fresh water pool to soak the salt out of your skin. Comfortable lodging, friendly people, good food, great drinks, and superb diving all come together at Brac Reef Beach Resort for a pleasant dive vacation. Editor’s Note: Karen Cox is an avid diver as well as a real estate professional for Windermere Real Estate in Oak Harbor, WA.
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Northwest Dive News January 2010 Local divers don’t just divewww.nwdivenews.com locally - they dive globally! NWDiveNews1-2PgAd_2012.indd 1
25 1/5/12 3:45 PM
ANDY LAMB’S
andylamb@telus.net
MYSTERY CRITTER
A CROWD OF CRABS
On July 2, 2011, Seattle area divers Laurel LaFever, of Bellevue, Greg Oliver, of Kirkland and Steve Martino, of Bothell made a dive at the Mile Marker 4, between Sekiu and Neah Bay, on the Olympic Coast of Washington. This dive was one of five that a group of Bubbles Below staff completed as part of a three day weekend to this spectacular area. Curley’s Resort, a well known Sekiu diver-friendly facility provided air and accommodation. Mile Marker 4 is a shallow shore dive and on this day, the threesome took advantage of about 40ft (12m) visibility and enjoyed a 70 minute dive to a maximum depth of 21ft
(7m). While exploring a zone of red and brown algae near a large bed of eelgrass, they found a single swarm of small crabs that numbered at least a couple of hundred. Laurel obtained the accompanying photograph and forwarded it with questions about an identity for the subjects and what this gathering might represent. What Laurel and her buddies had encountered was an impressive cluster of juvenile Dungeness crabs (about an inch across) Cancer magister huddling upon some brown algae. Like a majority of other Arthropods (crabs, shrimps and their relatives), after
hatching, a Dungeness crab spends the first few months of its life as a pelagic (floating) larva. The last version of several stages, bearing no resemblance to an adult, is called a megalops. Barely visible to a diver, this form recruits to the typical adult bottom habitat and then metamorphoses into a recognizable young crab. The tiny crabs Laurel and her buddies encountered were survivors of this process, possibly released by the same female. For those of us who enjoy watching and eating Dungeness crab, this encounter bodes well for a good population of Cancer magister along the Olympic Coast several years hence. ■
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26
Each day we serve up Incredible Photo Ops!
Northwest Dive News January 2010 Want to support local diving inwww.nwdivenews.com your part of the globe? email NWSALES@DIVENEWSNETWORK.COM
MEDICAL DIVING
ARTICLE COURTESY OF DIVERS ALERT NETWORK
DCI: Are you prepared? E
very diver should be prepared to recognize symptoms decompression illness (DCI). Are you? The term DCI actually encompasses two separate conditions: decompression sickness (DCS) and arterial gas embolism (AGE). Both conditions should get the same treatment, which in most cases is oxygen first aid and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. You probably learned most of this in your entry level diving courses, but it never hurts to review this essential information as it could save a life. Symptoms of DCI DCS symptoms include muscle or joint pain that does not subside, rash, dizziness, numbness or tingling, paralysis, muscle weakness, bladder or bowel dysfunction and fatigue disproportionate to the diver’s exertion. The diver may also have trouble walking. AGE symptoms typically occur while the diver is surfacing or immediately afterward. The diver may suddenly go unconscious or exhibit neurological symptoms, such as confusion, disorientation, personality changes, unsteady gait, weakness and paralysis. AGE may be associated with pulmonary barotrauma (a condition that occurs when air sacs in the lung rupture, typically during a rapid or breathhold ascent) which generally manifests as difficulty breathing and may also involve a bloody froth in the mouth or nose. Symptoms generally occur from within 10 minutes to up to 12 hours after surfacing. If any new symptoms appear after 24 hours, DCI is not likely to be the cause. If the diver flies after diving, it is possible for delayed symptoms of DCS to occur during flight. The recommended preflight surface interval after multiple dives or multiple days of diving is a minimum of 18 hours. Responding to suspected DCI If you suspect a diver has DCI, assess and continuously monitor vital signs (circulation, airway and breathing), activate emergency services (911 or the local equivalent), administer oxygen first aid if you
are a trained oxygen provider and call the DAN Emergency Hotline at +1-919-684-9111. Remember, if you need some help or are unsure how to respond you can always call DAN or take the diver to the nearest emergency department. It is not advisable to take an injured diver directly to a chamber without first contacting DAN because the closest chamber may not be open, operating, staffed or properly equipped to meet the injured diver’s needs. DAN maintains a continually updated database of chambers to determine the most appropriate chamber for treatment and the coordination of care. While DAN cannot make a diagnosis over the phone, DAN can be an essential resource for helping recognize the signs and symptoms of DCI, advising you and emergency medical personnel on proper management and coordinating transportation to get an injured diver to a higher level of emergency care as quickly and safely as possible. Be prepared There are a lot of ways you can prepare to handle a diving emergency. If you are not a trained oxygen provider, enroll in the DAN Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries course. You can also complete the DAN Dive Emergency Management Provider (DEMP) program, which encompasses automated external defibrillators, emergency oxygen including bag valve mask and manually triggered ventilator, and the treatment of hazardous marine life injuries. Or enhance your knowledge with DAN online seminars, such as the Pathophysiology of Decompression Illness and test yourself with the DCI Quiz on www.AlertDiver.com. Dive safely, and remember, DAN is here for you. Divers Alert Network (DAN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the safety and health of scuba divers. DAN operates a 24-hour emergency hotline (+1-919-684-9111) to help divers in need of medical emergency assistance for diving or nondiving incidents.
www.nwdivenews.com Local Divers Don’t just dive locally - they dive globally
Northwest Dive News January 2010
27
WHAT GEAR ARE YOU DIVING WITH? BY MIKE HUGHES GEAR BOX
Dive Patches International GoPro Cameras
Get the free mobile app at
http:/ / gettag.mobi
t the free mobile app at
tp:/ / gettag.mobi
Dive Patches International has a dive patch or can make a dive patch to commemorate just about any dive site or dive activity. They make embroidered patches, enameled pins marine park chips, pictured tumblers, glasses, logos on baby onesies, and colorful bibs for future divers currently in diaper training. Right now on their web site you can find promotional items that include: A cool pink Diving For A Cure patch, DEMA, and Be A Diver. I spoke with Dr Joe Wallace at DEMA and he has a quilt made with dive patches. How can you not dream of diving with such a warm quilt? See just some of the International and domestic patches that are now displayed by Dive New Network and my YouTube account under mike hughes scuba. www.divepatches.com
GoPro cameras seem to be going everywhere lately. Whether you are going up 6000ft to go skydiving, or down 180ft to go scuba diving, this small but powerful camera can deliver 4-6 hours of video depending on the settings you select. The Hero2 can take 30fps at 1080p or up to 120fps at WVGA. The Hero2 can also take up to 10 photos per second. To see an interview we did with Dean, go to our DNN Youtube under mike Hughes scuba and to see a how this camera beautifully captures the talent of a very attractive Hawaiian surfer and the perfect backdrop of Hawaiian waves, go to www.GoPro.com where the pictures and vids are worth a thousand words; 30 to 120 frames per second.
TROPICAL DIVE DIRECTORY
To be listed call 360.240.1874 or email nwsales@divenewsnetwork.com
a listing of participating tropical charters, resorts, liveaboards, and dive shops
aUstRaLia Mike Ball Expeditions (888) MIKEBALL www.mikeball.com
BahaMas Blackbeard’s Cruises 800.327.9600 www.blackbeard-cruises.com Carib Dancer dancer@dancerfleet.com www.dancerfleet.com 800.932.6237 or 305.669.9391 Caribbean Dive Shop 504.831.7017 www.caribbeandiveshop.com Sea Dragon “SEA DRAGON” DIVE LIVE-ABOARD Bahamas www.seadragonbahamas.com Diving Small Hope Bay Lodge 800.223.6961 www.smallhope.com UNEXSO 800.992.3483 www.unexso.com
BELiZE Belize Aggressor III info@aggressor.com www.aggressor.com 800-348-2628 706-993-2531
BoNaiRE Carib Inn +599 717 8819 www.caribinn.com Villa Makoshi Lower Level 780.483.0044 www.BonaireDiveVilla.com
CaYMaN isLaNDs DiveTech@Cobalt Coast Dive Resort 888.946.5656 divetech.com cobaltcoast.com 28
Cayman Aggressor IV
info@aggressor.com www.aggressor.com
800-348-2628 706-993-2531 Ocean Frontiers (345) 947-7500 www.oceanfrontiers.com Southern Cross Club 800.899.2582 www.southerncrossclub.com Sunset House 800.854.4767 www.sunsethouse.com
Costa RiCa (CoCos) Okeanos Aggressor
info@aggressor.com www.aggressor.com
800-348-2628 706-993-2531 Wind Dancer dancer@dancerfleet.com www.dancerfleet.com 800.932.6237 305.669.9391
CoZUMEL Albatros Charters 888.333.4643 www.albatroscharters.com Hotel Cozumel +52.987.872.9020 www.hotelcozumel.com.mx/en Cozumel Dive Deals www.hotelbarricuda.com www.cozumeldivedeals.com
Scuba Du 310.684.5556 www.scubadu.com Sea Robin 951.824.9073 www.searobincozumel.com
CURaCao Ocean Encounters 800.932.6237 www.oceanencounters.com
www.nwdivenews.com Dive Locally - Where It Really Matters
DoMiNiCaN REPUBLiC Turks & Caicos Aggressor II (Silver Bank) info@aggressor.com www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531
FiJi Beyond the Reef 691.350.3483 www.diveyap.com Deep Blue Adventures(888) 266-6309 www.deepblueadventures.com Dolphin Bay Divers Retreat 679.992.4001 dolphinbaydivers.com Qamea Resort & Spa 649.360.0217 www.qamea.com Scuba Travel Ventures 800.298.9009 www.scubatravelventures.com Wananavu 679.669.4433 www.wananavu.com
FLoRiDa Coastal Marine Diving Supply 954.815.7914 www.coastalmarinediving.com Conch Republic Divers 305.852.1655 www.conchrepublicdivers.com Horizon Divers 305.453.3535 www.horizondivers.com Narcosis Scuba Center 727.934.6474 www.narcosisscuba.com Ocean Sports of N. Pinellas 727.733.1919 www.oceansportsdive.com SeaExperienceCharters 954.770.3483 www.divefortlauderdale.com Wetter the Better 561.596.8482 www.walkersdivecharters.com Northwest Dive News January 2010
WHAT GEAR ARE YOU DIVING WITH? BY MIKE HUGHES†GEAR BOX
IST Proline Artemis BCD J-1300 Zeagle Wicked BC’s
By Selene Muldowney The Artemis J-1300 BCD is yet another innovative product introduced by IST. This BCD was created exclusively for women divers, featuring adjustment features (including shoulder-width adjustment), personal harness system, support and comfort accommodating the female body. Made from durable denier nylon, the Artemis features a thick back pad for support and supplemental padding around Get the free mobile app at the hips and waist offering extra comfort. The Artemis is stable and flexible enabling female divers to move gracefully in the water. Zeagle has a new Wicked lite weight travel BC (Buoyancy Women divers will find the power inflator smaller Compensator). It rolls up like a newspaper and only weighs 3.9lbs. and easier to use affording manageable buoyancy Lift weight 32lbs and 20 lbs is releasable from an integrated weight that can be easily controlled, as well as angled system. The Wicked Ranger is built like past legendary Ranger BCs, weight pockets engineered for simple removal. and weighs 8.4lbs and lifts 44lbs. The new version has a stone washed As an added bonus, IST included two generous finish on its tough cordera fabric, pre-oxidized brass D rings, and stylish sized pockets. Overall a comfortable BCD made artwork that looks hand scrolled by a master tattoo designer. Bottom specifically for women divers. I found it easy to use, comfortable and line, both BCs are tough and cool looking. The only problem I have Get the free mobile physically meeting all my feminine prerequisites offering me app snug atwith Zeagle BCs is that they never seem to wear out, which makes it support without constriction. If you want to experience the new IST harder to justify the upgrade to the cool new look. Check out the DNN Artemis please visit their website www.istsports.com vid on YouTube under mike Hughes scuba or visit www.zeagle.com
http:/ / gettag.mobi
http:/ / gettag.mobi
GaLaPaGos
Sea Safari Cruises 62.361.72.1212 www.seasafaricruises.com
Divencounters Alliance 877.323.DIVE www.divencounters.com Galapagos Aggressor I&II
MaLDiVEs Maldives Aggressor
info@aggressor.com www.aggressor.com
info@aggressor.com www.aggressor.com
800-348-2628 706-993-2531
800-348-2628 706-993-2531
GUaDaLUPE/soCoRRo Baja Aggressor III info@aggressor.com www.aggressor.com 800-348-2628 706-993-2531
hawaii Kona Aggressor info@aggressor.com www.aggressor.com
800-348-2628 706-993-2531 Maui Dreams Dive Co 808.874.5332 www.mauidreamsdiveco.com
hoNDURas Deep Blue Resort 504.95.76.36.97 www.deepblueutila.com Utila Aggressor II
info@aggressor.com www.aggressor.com
800-348-2628 706-993-2531
iNDoNEsia Komodo Dancer dancer@dancerfleet.com www.dancerfleet.com 800.932.6237 or 305.669.9391 Kungkungan Bay Resort & Spa 530.347.2300 www.divekbr.com Puri Wirata Dive Resort and Spa 62.813.384.05.335 www.puriwirata.com Pindito Liveaboard 831.818.8594 www.pindito.com
MExiCo Aquanauts Dive Adv. 998.206.9365 www.aquanautsdiveadventures.com Maya Palms Resorts & Dive Center 888.843.3483 www.mayapalms.com Scuba Playa Dive Shop 52.984.803.3123 www.scubaplaya.com
NoRth CaRoLiNa ATLANTIS CHARTERS
Atlantis Charters 252.728.6244 www.atlantischarters.net Discovery Diving Co. 252.728.2265 www.discoverydiving.com Olympus Dive Center 252.726.9432 www.olsympusdiving.com
PaLaU Palau Aggressor info@aggressor.com www.aggressor.com
800-348-2628 706-993-2531 Tropic Dancer dancer@dancerfleet.com www.dancerfleet.com 800.932.6237 or 305.669.9391
PaPUa NEw GUiNEa Star Dancer dancer@dancerfleet.com www.dancerfleet.com 800.932.6237 or 305.669.9391
PhiLiPPiNEs ActiVentures Philippines 650.834.1331 www.activenturespi.com Big La Laguna Beach Dive Resort 425.298.8172 www.BigLaLa.com Campbells Beach Resort 63.920.416.0502 www.CampbellsBeachResort.com
RED sEa - EGYPt Fly & Sea Dive Adventures 888.995.DIVE(3483) www.redseadiving.ca
RoataN CoCo View Resort Roatan 800.282.8932 www.roatan.com GoRoatan.com 888.405.8737 www.goroatan.com
st. CRoix (U.s. ViRGiN isLaNDs) Cane Bay Dive Shop 340.773.9913 www.canebayscuba.com
st. kitts Bird Rock Beach Resort 877.244.6285 www.birdrockbeach.com
st. ViNCENt Bequia Dive Adventures 784.458.3826 www.bequiadiveadventures.com
thaiLaND Sairee Cottage Diving 667.745.6126 www.saireecottagediving.com
tURks & CaiCos Turks & Caicos Aggressor info@aggressor.com www.aggressor.com
800-348-2628 706-993-2531 Northwest Dive News January 2010
www.nwdivenews.com Send Us Your stories FREE at editor@divenewsNETWORK.COM
29
BOATING REGULATIONS DIVE DIRECTORY
What They Don’t Tell You about the Water When You Receive Your Captain’s License
Article provided courtesy of Cpt. Bob Figular www.marinerslearningsystem.com
By Captain Bob
W
hether you have your captain’s license and are operating an OUPV vessel on the water or you’re kayaking or engaging in some other water-related activity, you run the risk of getting sick. According to Discovery News, the average person had a slightly higher risk of developing a gastrointestinal condition or eye problem if he spent time in the water. The reason for this most likely lies in the microorganisms and pollution that reside in the water. In a University of Illinois study, over eleven thousand participants were asked to conduct different activities. One third were asked to engage in boating activities on the Chicago River, a river with wastewater where swimming is prohibited; another third were asked to conduct boating activities in Lake Michigan, a clean lake where swimming is allowed. Finally, the last third were asked to only take part in land-based activities and stay away from the water. The idea of the study was to see whether or not polluted waters would affect those who boat. The Clean Water Act allows boating on waters that are deemed WASHINGTON Anacortes Diving & Supply
Anacortes
Diver’s Dream Charters Girl Diver Washington Divers 30
unfit for swimming. The thought is that there isn’t as much risk of being affected because you’re on a boat. With swimming, you obviously have more contact with the contaminated water and could be affected greater. However, the results of the study indicate that even a splash could result in sickness. Both of the water-based groups saw a slightly higher risk of gastrointestinal and eye issues than the final third. The two water groups were about the same, and researchers speculate that this is because boaters in the cleaner waters were more likely to submerge themselves in the water, subjecting themselves to more microorganisms. The risk of both was about one percent. While these results aren’t shocking or life-threatening, they do indicate that the effects of polluted waters extend past swimming. There are precautions that can be taken including investigation through beach monitoring programs and other means. If you are aware of the risks of boating in polluted waters and take the proper precautions, it should be smooth sailing the next time you go out in the water. ■ Gone Diving
Bellingham
(360) 738-2042
Store
(360) 293-2070
Store
Adventures Down Under
Bellingham
(360) 676-4177
Store
Anacortes
(360) 202-0076
Charter
Pacific Adventure Charters
Brinnon
(206) 714--1482
Charter
Auburn
(253) 397-4136
Store
Evergreen Dive Service
Everett
(425) 512-8811
Store
Bellingham
(360) 676-8029
Store
Friday Harbor Dive Services
Friday Harbor
(360) 378-6202
Marine/Charter
get your business listed in our tropical dive directory for only $20!
A listing of participating dive shops, charters, resorts, and independent instructors
DIVE DIRECTORY
Hood Sport ‘N Dive
Hood Canal
(360) 877-6818
Store
Undersea Adventures
Kennewick
(509) 735-0735
Store
Mike’s Beach Resort
Lilluwaup
(360) 877-5324
Dive Resort
Lighthouse Diving Center
Lynnwood
(425) 771-2679
Store
Oak Harbor
(360) 675-1112
Store
Sub Sea Experience
Orcas Island
www.westbeachresort.com
Resort
Just for You Crew & Dive Services
Capital Divers
Olympia
(360) 866-3684
Store
Northwest Dive Charter
Parkland
(253) 370-5144
Charter
Dive Magic
Scuba Supplies
Port Angeles
(360) 457-3190
Store
Divers West
Admiralty Dive Center
Port Townsend
(360) 379-3483
Store
ScubaSET Adventure Center
Puyallup
(253) 841-5666
Store
Dive Commercial Int’l
Seattle
(206) 784-5050
Seattle Scuba Schools
Seattle
(206) 284-2350
Store
Aluminator Water Taxi
Seattle
(206) 571-3273
Charter
Underwater Sports
Seattle
(206) 362-3310
Store
Scuba Center of Spokane
Spokane
Tacoma Scuba Center
Tacoma
(253) 238-1754
Store
Orca Scuba
Wenatchee
(509) 665-0660
Store
Woodinville
(425) 424-3483
Dive Center
Whidbey Island Dive West Beach Resort
Bubbles Below
ALBERTA Adventures in Scuba
Calgary
(403) 299-7751
Store
Aqua Sport Scuba Centre
Calgary
(403) 686-6166
Store
The Dive Shop
Calgary
(403) 243-4616
Store
Edmonton
(780) 434-1433
Store
Grand Prairie
(780) 832-7209
Store
Boise
(208) 319-3483
Store
Coeur D’Alene
(208) 664-0751
Store
Bozeman
(406) 585-9926
Store
Kalispell
(406) 752-4970
Store
Kalispell
(406) 253-4016
Store
Store
IDAHO
MONTANA Sports Cove
Commercial Store Big Horn Divers
www.spokanescuba.com
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Glacier Divers
OREGON Triton Ocean Outfitters
Ashland
(541) 708-5435
PacificWatersports.com
Aloha
(503) 642-3483
Store
Central Oregon Diving
Bend
(541) 388-3660
Store/Charter
Central Point
(541) 830-5551
Store
Eugene Skin Divers Supply
Eugene
(541) 342-2351
Store
CoralSeaScuba.com
Grants Pass
(800) 482-1599
Store
South Beach Scuba
Newport
(541) 867-4944
Store
Rogue Scuba, Inc.
Broken Island Adventures
Bamfield
(888) 728-6200
Resort/Charter
Ocean Quest Water Sports
Burnaby
(604) 436-1157
Store
Aquatic Sports
Portland
(503) 245-4991
Store
Campbell River
(800) 499-2297
Charter
Blue Element
Salem
(503) 400-7375
Store/Charter
49th Parallel Dive Charters
Chemainus
(250) 252-0758
Charter
SalemScuba.com
Salem
(503) 588-3483
Store
Cedar Beach Resort
Chemainus
(250) 252-0758
Dive Resort
Under Water Works
Tigard
(503) 620-6993
Store
Pacific Pro Dive
Courtenay
(250) 338-6829
Store/Charter
Courtenay
(877) 883-3483
Store/Charter
Dive Alaska
Anchorage
(907) 770-1778
Store/Charter
Egmont
(800) 665-DIVE
Charter/Resort
Test the Waters
North Pole
(907) 490-4444
Store
Hornby Is.
(250) 335-2807
Dive Resort
Island Fever Diving
Sitka
(907) 747-7871
Store/Charter
Langley Diving
Langley
(604) 514-8170
Store/Charter
Sink or Swim Scuba & Watersports
Nanaimo
(250) 758-7946
Store
Store
Sundown Diving
Nanaimo
(888) 773-3483
Store/Charter
Nanaimo Dive Outfitters
Nanaimo
(250) 756-1863
Store
Rendezvous Dive Adventures
Port Alberni
(877) 777-9994
Charter
Browning Pass Hideaway
Port Hardy
(877) 725-2835
Resort/Charter
Abyssal Diving Charters
UB Diving PorpoiseBay.ca Hornby Island Diving
God’s Pocket Resort
Port Hardy
www.godspocket.com
Alpha Dive Services
Powell River
(604) 485-6939
Store
Salmon Arm
(250) 832-5737
Tahtsa Dive Charters
Tahsis
MethodMarine.com
ALASKA
HAWAII Aqua Zone
Honolulu
(808) 923-3483
Dive Oahu
Honolulu
(808) 922-3483
Charter
Pearl Harbor Divers
Honolulu
(808) 589-2177
Store/Charter
Honolulu
(808) 220-0577
Store
Honolulu Scuba Company
www.honoluluscubacompany.com Jack’s Diving Locker
Kailua-Kona
(808) 329-7585
Store/Charter
Pacific Rim Divers
Kailua-Kona
(808) 334-1750
Charter
Store
Torpedo Tours
Kailua-Kona
(808) 938-0405
Charter
(250) 934-6365
Charter
Dive & Sea Maui
Tofino
(250) 725-3251
Store/Marina
SeaSport Divers
TwoEaglesLodge.com
Union Bay
(250) 335-2342
Dive Resort
SeaDragonCharters.com
Vancouver
(604) 329-3486
Charter
Victoria
(888) 701-1177
Store/Charter
Victoria
(250) 478-4488
Store
Copper Island Diving
Ogden Point Dive Wilson Diving Services
www.diveandseamaui.com
Charter
Koloa, Kauai
(800) 685-5889
Store/Charter
Capt. Charley Scuba Shack’s Maui
Kihei
(877) 213-4488
Store
Mike Severn’s Diving
Kihei
(808) 874-6428
Store
Knight Diver 007
Lahaina
(808) 250-9194
Store
Lahaina Divers
Maui
(800) 998-3483
Store/Charter
get your business listed in our dive directory for only $12.50! - call 360-240-1874
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wE ♥ BOOBIES
So much so, we are donating all of Sunday’s female admission price to Dive For a Cure
FREE Swag Bag
Valued at over $50 To the first 250 visitors each day*