Monthly Archive for May, 2009

Monterey Express – Tim Doreck

Published on May 28, 2009 in Status: Monterey. 1 Comment Tags: , , , .

This weekend (5/30 and 5/31, 2009) in Monterey, it looks like we will have some of the sweetest sea surface conditions I have seen in a few months.

Saturday Forecast:

SW WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS
NW SWELL 2 TO 4 FT. PATCHY FOG

Sunday Forecast:

SW WINDS 5 KT…BECOMING W 10 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS
W SWELL 2 TO 4 FT. PATCHY FOG

On the 17th a few lucky divers from Napa experienced 70′ of vis at Yankee Point, a location about 2 miles south of Point Lobos. A dive day they should remember as one of the best they have probably ever seen.

Although sea conditions do not always indicate clear water, it does provide the greatest possibility that clear blue conditions have the best chance of occurring. The swell model this coming weekend is almost HALF of what it was on that day 2 weeks ago

3 spaces remain on Sunday BUT Saturday still has at least 13 at this time (9:26pm Wednesday – 5/27)

If divers wish to take the best opportunity to see just how great dive conditions can be in Monterey, and spend their money for the best chance for that experience, this weekend might be the one.

Make reservations!

Captain Tim
Monterey Express

DAN Challenges Divers: 10,000 Dives in 2009

Published on May 26, 2009 in Announcements and News. 0 Comments

DURHAM, NC –  Memorial Day no longer means just a three-day weekend; it marks the start of the annual PDE Extravaganza, DAN’s celebration of Project Dive Exploration, the most extensive (and ongoing) study of recreational diving ever conducted. This Memorial Day was no exception – PDE Extravaganza 2009 is under way!

Once again, DAN® is calling all divers who use compatible downloadable dive computers to share dive profiles with DAN Research. This year DAN is raising the stakes – divers are challenged to come together and collect 10,000 dives this summer!

Participation is easy:

  1. Visit the DAN website, click on the PDE Extravaganza button on the homepage, and follow the instructions.
  2. Complete the Diver ID form to be entered into the PDE database and receive a Diver ID code.
  3. Go diving, have fun and save your dives electronically using the computer manufacturer’s software.
  4. Enter your DAN Diver ID in place of the name and export the dives to DAN.
  5. If you are using a non-compatible computer, please contact DAN Research at research@dan.duke.edu for more info.

Submit 10 or more dives completed between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2009, and receive a specially designed T-shirt at the end of the challenge and one automatic entry into a drawing for a DAN gift certificate worth $250 (some redemption restrictions apply). Divers will receive another entry for every additional five dives submitted; there’s no limit to the number of entries a diver can earn.

“Divers have a long history of supporting PDE through the donation of their dive profiles,” says Donna Uguccioni, research coordinator for DAN, “and it’s one of the reasons we enjoy the PDE Extravaganza so much. The celebration is a way for us to say thank you to folks who take the time to share information that has become an invaluable resource for DAN Research. Sometimes it’s hard to see how one or two profiles can make a difference, but they add up quickly. So each and every profile matters.”

All eligible dives must be submitted to DAN no later than Sept. 30, 2009; the winner will be announced Oct. 31, 2009.

Written by DiverWire Staff 
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 04:02 AM

Two sites to check out

Published on May 26, 2009 in Whatever. 0 Comments

A couple of new sites worthy of checking out:

http://www.diveshow.tv/

http://www.liquidassets.tv/

Chef’s Market; Where Divers, Prospects, Club, and Dive Shop Come Together!

Published on May 22, 2009 in Club Activities and News. 3 Comments

chefsmarket

All and all we feel we had a successful evening at Chef’s market – our goal is to let current divers know about our club and to be available to talk to people who are interested in becoming divers… we did get both!

It was great fun talking to everyone and we passed out many dive club membership pamphlets as well as Open Water flyers for Napa Dive Center.

We even got an offer to work on an article with Napa Valley Life Magazine and a possible radio interview with Bob and Kellie on the Vine… details are not finalized, but I will be meeting with them next week to discuss the opportunity! Super exciting!

Special thanks to Christine, Nancy, Joan, Jayma, Steve, Johann, Peter, and Sarah for coming out to support the efforts! Thanks again to Roger for donating the cost of our booth! This summer is shaping up to be the most exciting yet!

Jackie

Lake Berryessa Update

Published on May 20, 2009 in Berryessa. 0 Comments

Letter from Peter Kilkus (5/19/09)

Hello to all the friends of Lake Berryessa,

The latest issue of the Lake Berryessa News has  been published to my web site at LakeBerryessaNews.com

This is our special Lake Berryessa Chamber of Commerce Summer 2009 issue. It includes all the news about what’s open and what you can do here at the lake. There’s information on touring, hiking, camping, boating, and kayaking.

We need your support! Although 4 of the west shore resorts are closed and will not re-open for the 2009 summer, 3 resorts, the Capell free launch ramp, the Spanish Flat Village Center, Berryessa Corners, Turtle Rock, and 2 public day use parks (Oak Shores and Smittle Creek) are open for business. It’s best to get here early on weekends or come mid-week to avoid the crush.

2009 will be a prime summer for kayaking, biking, swimming, non-motorized recreation, and nature-based recreation on the west side Lake Berryessa. Since the Bureau of Reclamation declared the Big Island Lagoon a “non-motorized zone” there will be a lot of calm water in that area. With four major west shore resorts closed, powerboat and jet ski traffic will be less than normal. But please stop by our west shore businesses to help them make it through this year and the next until the new resort concessions are fully operational.

Lake Berryessa Chamber of Commerce members want to encourage kayakers, swimmers, and picnickers to visit the lake and enjoy the calm waters. Come out for an evening paddle, ride, picnic, or an all day corporate summer party at Oak Shores. Mid-week is the best quiet time. Get your supplies at a local store, have your even catered by a local restaurant or deli, or end your day at a local restaurant.

There are miles of trails to hike, more miles of roads to bike, lake vistas to kayak, and much to enjoy.

Markley Cove Resort is Open!*

The closest resort to Monticello Dam, Markley Cove offers cabin rentals, a convenience store, food service, marina services, boat slips, boat and jet ski rentals, boat gasoline. No day use picnic area. (*Final interim contract pending.)

(707) 966-2134

Pleasure Cove Marina is Open!

Pleasure Cove Marina operates from the south end of the lake just off Hwy 128 and offers houseboat rentals, cabin rentals, tent & RV camping, boat slips, boat and jet ski rentals, boat gasoline. No day use picnic area.

(707) 966-9600

Steele Park Resort Is Open!*

Steele Park Resort at 1605 Steele Canyon Road provides marina services, boat slips, boat launching, boat gasoline, RV sites, and a convenience store. No day use picnic area. (*Final interim contract pending.)

(707) 966-2213

Free Public Facilities are Open: Oak Shores/Smittle Creek Day Use Parks are open. Oak Shores and Smittle Creek offer more than 100 picnic sites equipped with BBQ grills. Two hand launches for non-motorized car-top boats are also available. Oak Shores is slated to open about 75 overnight campsites by the end of June. Capell Cove Launch Ramp is open, but get there very early on weekends. Mid-week is quiet, so try to come then.

Come Visit Us – Napa Chef’s Market

Published on May 14, 2009 in Announcements and Events. 0 Comments

Join us at the fifteenth annual Chefs Market in historic downtown Napa!

We’ll proudly introduce you to our Napa scuba diving social group, Napa Valley Divers. In addition, our friends at Napa Dive Center will be there to tell you all about scuba diving and the exciting ways to learning to dive, or how we can assist you with your continuing education as a diver.

The season begins Thursday, May 21 from 5pm to 9 pm, and every Thursday thereafter through July 30. The event features music on multiple stages; demonstrations by local chefs; food, wine and other beverages; a certified farmers market and a block long children’s area. The event is located on First Street in downtown Napa.

We hope to see you there!

28th Annual California Beach Dive Photo Competition

Published on May 14, 2009 in Announcements and Events. 0 Comments

May 16 – May 17
Monterey
Monterey Bay Coastline

The Northern California Underwater Photographic Society (NCUPS.org), proudly announces the 28th Annual California Beach Dive Photo Competition. 

On this weekend, scuba divers from all over California will converge on Monterey, California and compete for top prizes in one of the most unique underwater photo contests in the United States.

This is a one-day competition open to underwater photographers and videographers of all experience levels, where all digital photos and video must be taken from beach dives along the Monterey coastline on Saturday, May 16, 2009 (Point Lobos and boat dives are not allowed).

A panel of judges, comprised of regional professional underwater photographers, will select the winners on Sunday, May 17.

The winners will be announced and prizes awarded on Sunday, May 17 in the afternoon following two seminars including in the competition registration fee.