NWDN_0112

Volume 16 Issue 1

$1.95 US/$2.25 Canada

DIVE LOCALLY WHERE IT REALLY MATTERS

JANUARY 2012

SECOND TIME’S A CHARMSECOND TIME’S A CHARMSECOND TIME’S A CHARMSECOND TIME’S A CHARMCOZUMEL

NORTHERN CHANNEL ISLANDSWhere Marine Life Abounds

COZUMEL

HEAVENLY HOWE SOUND

BEAUTIFUL AND NATURAL ONCE MORE

2 We support our local dive shops - Without them We Will not have a dive industry.

Inspiring Conservation of our Marine Environment

12th Annual Seattle Aquarium Octopus Census

CENSUS: January 14-16, 2012Help us learn more about Puget Sound’s Giant Pacifi c

Octopus population and environment.

Meet us at:• Redondo Beach, Des MoinesSaturday, January 14 • 9am – 1pm • Cove 2 Alki, West SeattleSunday, January 15 • 9am – 1pm

For more information about the census and to submit your data visit seattleaquarium.org.

Kaui

Hawaii

Maui

Land of Aloha

Dolphins and Manta Rays and Reefs - Oh my!

Hawaii

Jack's Diving Locker 800.345.4807

www.jacksdivinglocker.com

Capt Charley Neal's Scuba Shack877.213.4488

www.scubashack.com

Ed Robinson's Diving Adventures800.635.1273

www.mauiscuba.com

Seasport Divers800.685.5889

www.seasportdivers.com

33

January 2012 in this issue

Northwest Dive NewsThe complete resource for what’s happening

in diving in the Pacific Northwest. P.O. Box 1494

Oak Harbor, WA 98277Phone (360) 240-1874

Fax (360) 279-1814www.nwdivenews.com

Publisher and Editor Rick Stratton

[email protected]

EditorJamie Farris

[email protected]

Production ManagerIJ James

[email protected]

Graphic DesignerTJ Pierzchala

[email protected]

Expo CoordinatorSelene Muldowney

[email protected]

Travel EditorJett & Kathryn Britnell

Accounts ManagerTove Chatham

[email protected]

Advertising SalesRoosevelt Rumble

(360) 240-1874 [email protected]

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 NOTICENWDN 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 $20.00 (3rd Class) Canadian $30 USF

EARN A FREE 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTIONNWDN 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.

NORTHWEST US DIVES

Editor’s Note ......................................4Incoming Mail ....................................5Hot News ...........................................6Pearl Harbor Anniversary .................8Vancouver Aquarium .........................9Dive & Travel EXPO ..................10-11

MONTHLY COLUMNS

DAN/Medical Column ......................26Mystery Critter .................................27BoatingRegulations .........................28Gear Box .........................................29Dive Directory .............................30-31Tropical Dive Directory ...............30-31

NORTHWEST CANADA DIVES

siGn up for our neW e-suBscription at WWW.diveneWsnetWorK.com

12 The Northern Channel Islands: Where Marine Life AboundsSitting at the crossroads of the Pacifi c where the warm southern waves meet the cold currents from the north, the Channel Islands are a smorgasbord of concentrate nutrients for kelp and plankton setting up an underwater fest which calls to underwater photographers and divers from all over the world. It is an endless march up the food chain of the seas: the zooplankton feed on the plankton, slightly larger creatures feed on the plankton, and so it continues until even the largest of the seas’ creatures are seated at the table. By Rick Stratton

◄ Photo by Vlad KarpinskiVlad is a Washington

native. He entered the 2011 Dive & Travel Expo Photo contest in the Cold Water Close-Up category with this amazing photo entitled “Mister Nobelness”. Vlad said of his photography, “I’m glad to share some of

my photo impressions on this site. The pictures are mostly of nature - mountains, lakes, rivers and sea of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I hope you enjoy them.” We definitely did Vlad, thanks for entering, and thanks for sharing your talent! To see more of Vlad’s amazing work, please visit: http://vkarp.zenfolio.com/f830032745 and to find out how to enter the Photo Contest, please visit www.diveandtravelexpo.com or read page 11 of this edition for more info.

18 Heavenly Howe Sound: Beautiful & Natural Once MoreHowe Sound, located just North of the City of Vancouver British Columbia offer some of the best access to scuba diving on the BC mainland. Once devastated by the industrial base of logging, pulp mills and mining, combined with the loss of fi sh stocks, the area has had an incredible rebound in recent years. By Rick Stratton

TROPICAL DESTINATIONS22 Cozumel: Second Time’s a CharmCozumel is 12 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and although it is known for white sandy beaches, it also boasts the bounty of marine life which keeps divers coming back from all over the world. The remarkable clarity in the water with an array of blues and greens that are indescribable and have to be one of the reasons that Jacques Cousteau once declared Cozumel one of the most beautiful scuba diving areas of the world. The area has a rich history and the fi rst time I was there I spent a lot of time diving and exploring. On my second trip I wondered what more Cozumel had to offer, and boy was I in for a treat. By Rick Stratton

I am very excited to bring you this edition. It represents, in a way, all the things we’re hoping for our business and our industry in 2012.

Like all small businesses, we have been affected by the recession infl uencing our business and, occasionally, even our attitude…

The New Year is about new beginnings. We are hopeful and optimistic about what 2012 will bring. I am expecting positive outcomes and good fortunes this year. We are working hard to create ever-increasing value for our readership and supporters this year. It has been a lot of hard work but hard work is beginning to pay off.

This year we are doing many new things. Our online edition is growing fast. By offering ALL of our content online each month, we can offer instant access to dive information and update it almost instantly. We are also expanding our E-dition with a larger and more comprehensive software upgrade. The new magazine online will incorporate embedded video and better links to other businesses for our readers and supporters. Our

physical edition will have this entire content link with QR codes and Smart Tags so those readers can get the digital content on their phones creating a true hybrid product. In all, it will be a better magazine and better reading experience: coming soon to a magazine near you…

Realizing we are not the only ones innovating, we looked around for similar minded business owners. People who are working hard and have a positive attitude; who are proactively dealing with today’s

economy going out and finding business wherever and whenever opportunity presents itself. Mike Hollingshead, co-owner of Eugene Skin Divers in Eugene Oregon, has been recognized as a well-run dive shop and an example of a business which supports their customers. According to Mike, many businesses are waiting for business to get better before they get back into marketing.

“We feel we can’t afford to wait for business to come to us. We need to go out and create it,” Mike says. “We are not going to wait for it. We are looking for new ideas, fresh ideas we are seeing other companies and other industries attempt. Some are successful and some are not. All our efforts are directed at creating a community and active diving culture. If we do not have active divers we fi nd our customers making excuses not to go diving, buy equipment or go on trips with us. The way to grow is to be progressive, proactive and innovative and to be open-minded; to realize the things we have done for many years may or may not work right now. We have to try new things and evaluate what is truly working in order to create success.”

We applaud the efforts of Mike and similar minded business owners and managers who are coming up with creative and innovative ways to stay strong and customer friendly in this economy. We know with these people in our industry we are in good company. From our dive family to yours, have a happy new year and we’ll see you out diving in 2012.

puBlisher’s note do you have an opinion? contact us: [email protected]

www.nwdivenews.com4 Northwest Dive News January 2010 4 checK out our neW WeBsite: WWW.diveneWsnetWorK.com

All the features of the JT-50. Smaller and designed for single tank use. See the PowerSee the Power

JT-40DJT-40D

Style: Buoyancy capacity:Bladder material:

Shell material: inflator length:

mounting grommetS diStance:

Circular doughnut30lbf (13.6kgf) / 40lbf (18.1kgf)420D TPU coated nylon1680D PU coated ballistic nylon16” (tech elbow)11”

[email protected] us for a full list of spec’s

Rick Strattonfacebook.com/Rick.Stratton1twitter.com/nedivenews, twitter.com/[email protected]

haPPY neW Year

“We feel we can’t

afford to wait for

business to come to

us. We need to go out

and create it.

All our efforts are

directed at creating a

community and active

diving culture. The

way to grow is to be

progressive, proactive

and innovative and to

be open-minded; to

realize the things we

have done for many

years may or may not

work right now.”

Mike Hollingshead

Eugene Skin Divers

Eugene, OR

FIND US ANYWHERE

DIVE LOCALLY, WHERE IT REALLY

MATTERS

www.divenewsnetwork.com Get the free mobile app for your phonehttp:/ /gettag.mobi

Pick us up today in your local dive shop.Find us on the web using your smartphone, Kindle,

iPad, or Tablet PC.

Northwest Dive News January 2010 www.nwdivenews.com 555We support local divers - local divers support the industry.

Education Local Dives Travel Equipment Repair Services

17315 140th Ave. NE Woodinville, WA E-mail: [email protected]

WWW.BUBBLESBELOW.COM

50(Factory Refurbished)

Up To % offDRy

SuitSLiMitED AVAiLABiLity• InWater Pressure Tested • No Leaks • New Zip Seals • Fully Warrantied For 1 Year on Suit • 90 day Warranty on zipper.Drysuit

Everdry 4

Soft & comfortable like

a wetsuit, but keeps you

warm & watertight like

a dry suit. Everdry 4 was

created for demanding and

recreational divers wanting

easy-to-wear advanced dry

suit protection.

New for 2011

RegulatorMK 25 BlackTechSold only as a combo with

A700 BLACK TECH

The MK25 offers superior ultra-high airflow system for

maximum performance in all temperatures and diving conditions. The MK25 has an array of

proprietary features ensuring outstanding

performance.See theSe New aNd other ScubaPro

ProductS at bubbleSbelow!

Get the free mobile app for your phonehttp:/ /gettag.mobi

Limited to stock on

hand

monthly articles incominG mailDear Rick,

I have been through many dive shops in my years of diving, each has their own feel and presence to them, unfortunately during these hard economic times and increase of online purchasing these dive shops have come and gone. After seeing this happen in my local community I decided to branch out to a dive shop that I heard many good things about, and boy was I not disappointed. I have been using Eugene Skin Divers Supply for close to a year now, for me it’s close to a 5 hour drive there and back, and I’d gladly do it every weekend if I could. I have never had a dive shop make me feel so at home. Diana and Mike put their heart and soul into the shop and it truly shows, to be honest I don’t know how they have the energy they do, but it’s truly amazing to watch them teach and lead dives. Any question no about new equipment no matter how dumb it may be is always answered with a smile by the employee’s there. Everyone is willing to bend backwards to make sure you have the best diving experience possible.

One example of this is was during my search for a new dry suit I had causally mentioned it to Mike, he showed me their extensive selection of suits, but I was apprehensive about spending what to me was big bucks on a dry suit, Mike completely understood. Not a week later I get a phone call from him saying he just got a practically brand new Bare dry suit that a diver no longer could use, but wanted to sell. Mike made me an offer that was very well into my price range and I couldn’t be happier with the suit. For him to remember that I was still in need of a suit, customer that was still fairly new to the shop really made me feel welcomed and appreciated.

Eugene Skin Divers Supply isn’t a dive shop that looking for the quick dollar, they put the time and effort to build a relationship and connection with every customer that walks through the door. They are a staple of Eugene’s community and I am proud to call them my dive shop!

Thanks,Kyle Dodenhoff

Hey Kyle, Thank you so much for your note. We get many comments in

passing about the success of our local PNW dive shops, and how awesome they truly are in supporting local diving. The problem is we don’t often get such amazing notes like yours! We know how great these local dive shop owners are, how awesome their staff is, how they know their diving, and most all, how dedicated they are to helping their customer. We want to hear more testimonials from the local diver about why their dive shop rocks!

Please send us your story. Why was your experience positive? Email me at [email protected]

Thanks for sharing Kyle, and a special shoutout to Mike and Diana for all their hardwork! Keep it up!

Rick

hot neWs Get your business noticed by sending us your neWs/events: [email protected]

www.nwdivenews.com6 Northwest Dive News January 2010 6 send us your neWs/events free at [email protected]

SALEM SCUBA AND TRAVEL RECOGNIZED BY PADI

PADI recently gave Salem Scuba and Travel a 10 out of 10 rating for their travel program. Salem had a record travel year, and PADI noticed. The new rating system evaluates where businesses are in terms of service and even offers suggestions to improve both on website design as well as business in general. 2012 marks 29 years in business for Salem, and they specialize in the instruction of scuba diving & snorkeling at all skill levels. Salem earned the recognition due in part to their highly experienced, dedicated staff of scuba diving professionals. Congrats to Blake Fry, owner, and his crew for their efforts, and we wish them luck for next year! For more info visit www.salemscuba.com.

FRIDAY HARBOR DIVE SERVICES NOW OPENFriday Harbor Dive Services

LLC, an affiliate of Friday Harbor Marine, has purchased the Friday Harbor dive shop formerly operated by Nak Nek Charters. The shop will operate year-round on the waterfront in Friday Harbor, and will provide air and Nitrox fi lls, dive equipment rentals, parts and supplies, and underwater vessel service. Self-drive dive boat rentals can be arranged through Friday Harbor Marine. For more information, please contact store manager Dean Kreider at 360-378-6202, or [email protected]

LOCAL DIVER AND CEO OF USIA KIM JOHNS NAMED OREGON’S 1ST COMMAND CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER

Oregon diver and CEO of USIA, a company that creates and sells drysuits, Kim Johns was named Oregon states very fi rst Command Chief Warrant Offi cer for the Oregon State Defense Force. The Oregon State Defense Force has a purpose of supporting the nations forces through the National Guard. In Oregon State their mission is to help the National Guard and answer the call of the governor when there is a natural disaster.

Johns, who has over 20 years of service with the Guard, was promoted and named to the position in August of this year. Kim started USIA in 1983 and opened up a retail diving center in Portland, Oregon called Scuba World. After becoming a PADI instructor in 1985, as Kim would say, “my hobby just got out of control.” By 1987, Scuba World morphed into the Under Sea Institute of Aqua-technology. USIA began producing drysuits in a small factory in Portland. Congrats to Kim! For more info visit www.orsdf.org and www.usia.com.

JAPANESE TSUNAMI MARINE DEBRIS: ANTICIPATING THE IMPACT ON HAWAII

MPA News conducted a live global webinar on Dec. 12 to explore how NOAA, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Digital Ocean Collaborative on Marine Debris are planning for the potential arrival of Japanese tsunami marine debris in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in early 2012. The earthquake and tsunami destroyed parts of eastern Japan in March 2011 and killed more than 15,000 people has also washed vast amounts of debris into the Pacifi c Ocean. The buoyant portion of that debris is now making its way across the ocean. Based on models, fi rst landfall of the debris could occur in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as early as January/February 2012. For those interested in seeing the webinar, a recording and transcript is available at www.marindebris.info. For more info on the debris issues visit marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/japanfaqs.html.

OIL SPILLS CAUSE ALARM PUGET SOUND PARTNERSHIP TO RECONVENE OIL SPILL WORK GROUP

Three serious oil spills and two close calls recently sounded an alarm which showed how vulnerable Puget Sound is to a devastating environmental disaster, said Gerry O’Keefe, executive director of the Puget Sound Partnership. “A major oil spill is the single greatest environmental threat facing Puget Sound. If we had a large spill, the damage to our ecosystem, economy and quality of life would be catastrophic,” O’Keefe said. “It’s also a threat that we can and should confront.” Now in order to ensure that the Sound doesn’t face disaster the Puget Sound partnership will be reconvening the Oil Spill Work Group to evaluate and make recommendations to reduce the risk. The Puget Sound Partnership is leading the effort to restore and protect the health of Puget Sound. It also leads the state Oil Spill Work Group, which brings together many experts from Indian tribes, the private sector, environmental organizations and government agencies to make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. The work group is focused on how to best ensure the state prevents and aggressively manages oil spills in Puget Sound, the outer coast and other state waters including the Columbia River. “These close calls and other incidents are a wakeup call. Puget Sound can’t wait any longer, we must make additional progress now toward meeting the state’s zero oil spill goal.” O’Keefe said. For those who want to get involved visit or get updates on the efforts of the Oil Spill Work Group visit www.psp.wa.gov.

WHIDBEY ISLAND DIVER PETER HUNT WROTE THE BOOKLocal diver Peter Hunt has penned a book

entitled “Setting the Hook” that explores the Andrea Doria and extreme diving through an introspective odyssey of memory and history back to the dangerous underwater world of northeast shipwrecks. In 1981, wealthy adventurer Peter Gimbel enlisted the aid of commercial salvage divers to torch open the Andrea Doria’s Foyer Deck doors in search of treasure and answers. Hunt crewed on five Andrea Doria diving expeditions during the early 1980s aboard Steve Bielenda’s legendary research vessel Wahoo. Hunt returned to New York to dive the Andrea Doria once again 20 years later and the experience transformed him forever prompting him to write “Setting the Hook”. The book is now available on Amazon and in bookstores. For more info visit www.settingthehook.org.

Salem Scuba in Fiji March-April 2011 staying at Beqa Lagoon.

Friday Harbor Dive Services LLC, an affiliate of

shop formerly operated by Nak Nek Charters. The

Johns, who has over 20 years of service with the Guard, was promoted and named to the position in August of this year. Kim started USIA in 1983 and opened up a retail diving center in Portland, Oregon called Scuba World. After becoming a PADI instructor in 1985, as Kim would say, “my hobby just got out of control.” By 1987, Scuba World morphed into the Under Sea Institute of Aqua-

cluB meetinGs & events do you want your event listed here? contact us: [email protected]


Seattle Scubawww.seattlescuba.com/divetrips.html(206) 284.2350 2000 Westlake Ave N. Seattle

Cozumel/TulumApril 27 - May 5, 2012 - $1,445

Kosrae/MicronesiaSept 18 - 28, 2012 - $2,200

JANUARYJan 2: Eugene Dive Club, 7p.m.,

Mookie’s NW Grill on Seneca, Eugene, OR. www.eugenediveclub.com

Jan 3: 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

Jan 4: Emerald Sea Dive Club, 7 p.m., Shawn O’Donnell’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, Everett, WA. www.emeraldseadiveclub.org

Jan 4: Marker Buoy Dive Club, 7 p.m., Sunset Hill Community Center, Seattle, WA. www.markerbuoydiveclub.org

Jan 4: Puget Sound Depth Charters, 6 p.m., Louie G’s Pizza and Pasta, Fife, WA. www.psdepthchargers.com

Jan 5: GSNDAMBAA Dive Club, 6 p.m., Edmonds Underwater Sports, Edmonds, WA. www.gsndambaa.org

Jan 5: Northwest Dive Club, 6:30 p.m., Salem, OR. www.salemscuba.com

Jan 5: Oregon Scuba Club, 7 p.m., Newport Seafood Grill, Rigard, OR. www.oregonscuba.com

Jan 9: Napa Valley Divers, 7 p.m., Fi l l ippi’s Pizza Grot to , Napa, CA. www.napavalleydivers.com

Jan 10: Portland Sea Searchers, 7 p.m., Portland OR. (503) 709-9306

J a n 1 0 : Ya k i m a D i v e C l u b , 6:30 p.m., El Porton, Yakima, WA. yakimadiveclub.sharepointspace.com

Jan 14-15: Adventures in Travel Expo, Long Beach Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA. www.adventureexpo.com

Jan 17: Atomic Ducks Dive Club Channel Dive. Details online www.duckdiveclub.org.

Jan 17: Kelp Krawlers Dive Club, 7 p.m. River’s Edge Bar & Grille, Tumwater, WA. www.kelpkrawlers.org.

Jan 24: 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

Jan 26: Northwest Adventure Divers, 7p.m., Golden Steer Restaurant, Kent, WA. www.nwadveturedivers.com.

Jan 26: Sea Horses Scuba Club, 6 p.m., Round Table Pizza, Redmond, WA. www.seahorsediveclub.com.

FEBRUARYFeb 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., Newport Seafood Grill, Rigard, OR. www.oregonscuba.com

Feb 6: Eugene Dive Club, 7p.m., Mookie’s NW Grill on Seneca, Eugene, OR. www.eugenediveclub.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 13: Napa Val ley Divers , 7 p.m., Fillippi’s Pizza Grotto, Napa, CA. www.napavalleydivers.com

Feb 14: Portland Sea Searchers, 7 p.m., Portland OR. (503) 709-9306

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: 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 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

SUNSET HOUSE FINALIZES RENOVATIONSSunset House

in Grand Cayman h a s i n v e s t e d over $250,000 into their Ocean view, Suites and Apartments by doing a complete

upgrade and added amenities taking their rooms to a whole new level of service. One of the key updates for the Wi-Fi system was the purchase of LTX Series Antennafi er™ Outdoor Wi-Fi Amplifiers to boost the Wi-Fi signals throughout the spacious 4.5 acre property. To see more pictures of the renovations, go to www.sunsethouse.com.

STATE PARKS COMMISSION APPROVES DRAMATIC BUDGET REDUCTION

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Tuesday approved a budget reduction approach to close a revenue gap of approximately $11 million in the current biennium, while keeping state parks open. In a special meeting, the Commission approved a reduction approach that will result in a shift of operations to a more seasonal focus. Reductions are being made at fi eld, region and headquarters levels, with most of the changes happening at the fi eld and region levels. The goal is to live within budget, keep parks open and continue to build support for the Discover Pass. The Discover Pass was launched in July to replace general fund tax dollars no longer available to operate state recreation lands. For more info about the pass, locations where it is required, where to buy it and exemptions please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.

GET YOUR NEWS OR EVENT PRINTED HERE:

[email protected]

www.nwdivenews.com8 Northwest Dive News January 2010 8 local divers do it doWn and dirty

neWs/events environmental protection

Jan 28, Orca Network is hosting an annual Ways of Whales Workshop about the wonders of Pacifi c Northwest Whales, the threats to their

habitats and health, and the research being conducted to learn more about the diverse species of whales in our region and protect them for future generations.

Presenters include Candice Emmons, NOAA Fisheries NWFSC; Jessica Lunden, Center for Conservation Biology UW; Matt Krogh, North Sound Baykeeper Team; William Wilcock, School of Oceanography, UW; and Howard Garrett, Orca Network. Cost of the workshop is $25 and lunch is available for an extra $10. The event will be held at the Camp Casey Conference Center in Coupeville, WA. To register, please visit www.orcanetwork.org or call (360) 678-3451 or email [email protected].

The Orca Network would also like to congratulate the J-Pod on their newest baby calf, born Dec. 17 to mama J16. This has increased the J-Pod number to 27 total adding to the grand total of 89 in the southern resident Orca community. The healthy baby is

exceptionally fantastic news considering this is the second calf born this year. “Every baby Orca is precious to our native waters, because they are an endangered species. We are so excited for the J-pod” said Susan Berta Co-Founder, Volunteer/Event Coordinator and Treasurer of the Board.

One of the biggest reasons the Orca Network exists is to track the whales through a whale sighting network. Please, if you see a whale sighting, report it to the number (1.866.Orca.Net) and they always welcome anyone to join their community at www.orcanetwork.com or on facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Orca-Network/79401335600 ■

Orca Network is a 501 (c) (3) non-profi t organization registered in Washington State, dedicated to raising awareness about the whales of the Pacifi c Northwest, and the importance of providing them healthy and safe habitats. A community is emerging which is increasingly attuned to the orca population, cares about and tries to understand the needs of the resident and transient orcas that inhabit the Salish Sea.

J48 was photographed December 17, 2011 with its mother J16 and big sister J42, of Possession Point, Whidbey Island. Photo by Candice Emmons NOAA Fisherie (research permit number 781-1824

orca netWork - neW caLf sighteD

Deception Pass Marine Park

Keystone Jetty

Langley Tire Reef

Come Explore Whidbey Island’s Dive-rse Culture (both above and below the surface)

•Oak Harbor

•Coupeville

•Greenbank

•Langley

•Clinton

Posession Sound

Puget Sound

Admiralty Inlet

Saratoga Passage

Penn Cove

Crescent Harbor

Skagit Bay

Strait of Juan de Fuca

Domino’s Pizza360.679.4141

www.dominos.com

Come visit our diver friendly businesses

Flyers Restaurant & Brewery360.675.5858

www.eatatflyers.com

Whidbey Island Dive Center360.675.1112

www.whidbeydive.com

Thrive Community Fitness360.675.2600

thrivecommunityfitness.com

O.H. Chamber of Commerce360.675.3755

oakharborchamber.com


Where did you dive yesterday? email us: [email protected] neWs/events

Sponsored by

D ivers’ WeekenDJanuary 21+22, 2012at the vancouver aquarium

explore the oceans. expand your horizons. exchange ideas.

50% off admission or 10% off Aquarium membership for certified divers (when certification card is shown). Details at www.vanaqua.org

Hosted by

RAJA AMPAT, .......where all the fishes live!

www.papua-diving.com

On Jan. 21-22 divers in the Vancouver area will be able to begin 2012 with a plunge into the Vancouver Aquarium’s Divers’

Weekend. Divers’ Weekend is an annual event at the aquarium located in Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia and offers a number of events that will inform, entertain and even teach divers from all over.

This year’s event is co-sponsored by Dive News Network. The focus of the event is asking divers and non-divers alike to come and “Explore the oceans - Expand your horizons - Exchange ideas”.

There will be over 14 speakers conducting a diving seminar series over the two days and a number of exhibits will be showcased. The Diving Officer for the Vancouver Aquarium, Jeremy Haywood says that every year this is a particularly busy time for the aquarium. “We always get a lot of visitors who are interested in the Divers’ Weekend events,” Haywood says. “Divers can show their C-cards and get in for a lower cost than normal but even non-divers will enjoy the events we have planned.”

One of the events that the aquarium has slated is demonstrations by the Royal Canadian Navy EOD, Canadian Coast Guard and RCMP dive teams. These demonstrations will be conducted at the aquarium and are sure to be amazing. “We are lucky to get these folks to come out and take part in this year’s event,” says Haywood.

There will also be a number of exhibits by diving clubs, organizations and businesses that will showcase the many aspects of diving. “Every year we get a lot of support from the local dive community,” says Haywood. “People will be able to explore the many types of diving, travel destinations and underwater photography. We will even have gallery activities for the kids. We want everyone to have a great time.”

Divers presenting their certification card will get 50 percent off the admission. Divers wanting to obtain a membership to the aquarium can also get 10 percent off Aquarium membership. “It is sure to be a fun weekend all the way around,” says Haywood. “I want to invite everyone to join us.”

For more info on the event visit www.vanaqua.org ■As part of the Divers Weekend, Vancouver Aquarium will present

Demo Dives by the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy Dive Teams. These two-day seminar series with 6 talks per day are a series which will include highlighting diving in the Philippines and Vanuatu, as well as underwater camera housings by Aquatica. There will also be information about professional diving education at Capilano University. For more info visit www.vanaqua.org.

Divers to take to vancouver aquarium’s for Divers’ WeekenD

www.nwdivenews.com10 Northwest Dive News January 2010 10 dive locally - Where it really matters

reGional neWs special events

The Dive News Network Media Group invites divers and watersports enthusiasts from all over the Northwest for the 5th Annual Dive

& Travel Expo to Tacoma, WA to converge on the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center held April 21-22, 2012. Bigger, better and wetter than ever, divers will have an expanded photography contest, larger show fl oor with over 325 show fl oor booths, more than 50 free “How To” seminars to enlighten the avid diver, watersports enthusiast, traveller, nature enthusiast, et al. The theme of this year’s event is to ”Take it to the next level” by showcasing the dive industry’s top

manufacturers, shops, clubs, photographers, videographers and leaders in marine and environmental awareness.

The annual event focuses on providing the recreational scuba diver an overall picture of the dive industry captured in one weekend. This event offers everything from meeting local dive shop owners, dive resort owners from around the globe and the top dive equipment manufacturers themselves. It provides attendees the opportunity to try new products and provide their feedback to the company staff making these products – improving them for next year’s product lines. Attendees can “Try Scuba Free” in the indoor pool with knowledgeable and expert instruction provided by the volunteer dive instructors.

The dive extravaganza will host more than 50 free seminars featuring simple, practical “how to” advice on a variety of topics ranging from underwater photography to fi rst aid sponsored by DAN. Guests will also have a chance to update their diving skills and discover certifi cation options increasing their knowledge base. Additionally, attendees can learn what organizations are doing to rehabilitate Puget Sound and how you can get involved.

This year the Dive Expo is supporting Pacific Northwest dive charity – Dive for a Cure, a breast cancer awareness fund-raising effort lead by Eugene Skin Divers. All the proceeds from this year’s T-shirt

sales will be donated to Dive for a Cure. According to DNN Media Event Director, Rick Stratton, the partnership

is a perfect win-win-win. “The Dive for a Cure is a great fund-raising event that not only promotes diving but helps the fi ght against breast cancer thru education and awareness. Explorer Ventures,

a fl eet of dedicated dive liveaboard vessels around

the world (www.explorerventures.com ), graciously sponsored the production and purchase of all the T-shirts to be sold at the show. Explorer Ventures features the Galapagos Islands as a destination. Ron Steven (aka – the artist Rogest) created the painting of the Blue Footed Boobie Bird of the Galapagos Islands for the back of our PINK shirts. With the caption “We Love Boobies” supporting Dive for a Cure, our Sponsor Explorer Ventures donating the purchase of these shirts and raising money for the fi ght – the T-shirts are going to be awesome!!

Additionally, Northwest Dive & Travel Expo is partnering with the Hotel Murano, the Expo’s host hotel, located across the street from the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center for an unbeatable package deal! According to event coordinator, Rick Stratton, the premise for the partnership is about providing added value to the attendees of the show. “We are offering free admission to the dive show to every guest (four free passes per day /per room/per night). That is a value of $20 per dive show pass, up to $80 for four people – a terrifi c discount and great reason to stay at the “host” Hotel. The Murano is a magnifi cent hotel and perfectly located next door to the Convention Center and downtown restaurants. The hotel management has stepped forth and offered our exhibitors and dive show guests a great rate on rooms for the divers who will be travelling from out of town. They are offering rooms at an incredible value of $139 per night for luxury accommodations.”

“This is the very fi rst partnership of its kind and we are really excited about it,” Stratton says. As part of the free admission package the hotel guests will also have the opportunity to try Scuba Diving as part of the Expo experience. “We are offering a FREE Try Scuba experience to every hotel guest at the Murano (319 rooms). Often these programs sell for $25-$50 depending on the store and instructor.” Stratton further explains. “It should be a lot of fun and an incredible opportunity offered free to hotel guests who otherwise may never experience scuba. Combining the “Try Scuba” experience and a Dive Expo across the street from the Hotel Murano, and we have a whole new way to grow the sport!”

“We want to invite everyone headed to the dive expo to take advantage of this amazing opportunity with the Murano,” says Stratton. “A good value and a lot of fun…what more can you ask for?”

For more info on the Expo or to book your hotel package with free passes, go to www.diveandtravelexpo.com.

northWest Dive & traveL eXPograB Your snorkeLs anD fins…it’s going DoWn in tacoma

5th Year!

10 dive locally - Where it really matters

This year the Dive Expo is supporting Pacific Northwest dive charity – Dive for a Cure, a breast cancer awareness fund-raising effort lead by Eugene Skin Divers. All the proceeds from this year’s T-shirt

sales will be donated to Dive for a Cure. According to DNN Media Event Director, Rick Stratton, the partnership

is a perfect win-win-win. “The Dive for a Cure is a great fund-raising event that not only promotes diving but helps the fi ght against breast cancer thru education and awareness. Explorer Ventures,

a fl eet of dedicated dive liveaboard vessels around

Northwest Dive News JANUARY 2012 www.nwdivenews.com 11111111We support our local dive shops - Without them We Will not have a dive industry.

tacoma, Wa dive & travel eXpo

Photographers! Get those amazing photos out and fi nd the right one to showcase at this

year’s Dive & Travel Expo Photo Contest. The Dive News Network Media Group is seeking that perfect shot for the grand prize, and will be offering $20,000 in prizes for the winning entries. All entries and winning photos will be shown at the Saturday Night Film Festival held April 21 at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center.

The Annual Dive & Travel Expo photo and video competition is open to all amateur underwater photographers and videographers, who are at least 18 years of age. The contest is open to anyone regardless of residence or citizenship, so long as the laws of their jurisdiction allow participation.

This year, as with previous years, we are accepting only digital entries. All work must be original and the person submitting the work must have ownership rights. The contest submission deadline is April 1, so don’t miss your chance to enter.

According to Show Producer and Media Mogul, Rick Stratton, “This year’s prizes are even better than ever with the fi rst place

prize in each category being an unbelievable dream vacation to an exotic location.” The Northwest Dive & Travel Expo is excited to partner with World’s Best Diving and several notable dive resorts in order to provide these exotic prizes.

There are a number of categories from which to enter, including: Wide Angle Cold Environment, Cold Water Close-up, Warm Water Close-up, Wide Angle Warm Environment, Artsy or Creative, Living as a Diver and Environmentally Friendly Photos.

There will be a number of honorable mentions as well as First Place, Second Place, Third Place, “Best of Show” and “Judges’ Choice”. So get those winning photos out and get them into the 2012 Dive and Travel Expo photo/video contest.

Northwest underwater photographers are encouraged to come out and experience this year’s Northwest Dive & Travel Expo and show fellow divers and photo/video enthusiasts what a great underwater photo is supposed to look like.

You never know next year you may see your winning photo on the cover of Dive News! For more info visit www.divenewsnetwork.com

For more info visit: www.diveandtravelexpo.com

SpecialOFFer

Greater Tacoma convention and Trade center

april 21 & 22, 2012

Dive & Travel expO offers

NORTHWEST

2012

Stay & Dive Show PackageStay & Dive Show Package

Free aDMiSSiON TO Dive expOStay at “Host Hotel” - Murano and receive 4 Free Passes to Expo.* (*Per room night - per day)

$8000/Day( )Value

Scan or Click Here for Details

Get the free mobile app athttp:/ /gettag.mobi

shoot & Win $20,000 in PriZes at this Year’s northWest Dive & traveL eXPo Photo contest

$20,000 in prizesCategories include:

Cold Water Wide AngleCold Water Close-Up

Warm Water Wide AngleWarm Water Close-up

ArtsyLiving as a diver

Environmentally Friendly

FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO ENTER VISIT www.diveandtravelexpo.com

Contest is openJan 1 - April 1

12 siGn up for our neW e-suBscription at WWW.diveneWsnetWorK.com

northWest destination southern coast

Guided Tours

Boat Trips

Air Fill

Station

Rinse

Station

PADI

Dive Center

Learn to

Dive Today

Full Rental

Equipment

Retail Sales

Glenn’s Aquarius II Dive Shop

32 Canne ry Ro w at the Breakwater Co ve , Montere y, CA

Toll Free (866) 375-6605 or (831) 375-6605

www.AQUARIUS2.com

[email protected]

Air FillNitrox

Station

Although the Channel Islands are comprised of eight islands off the coast, the ones in the northern area, Santa Cruz and Anacapa take the

lead roles in this ocean movie.Sitting at the crossroads of the Pacifi c where the warm southern

waves meet the cold currents from the north, the Channel Islands are a smorgasbord of concentrate nutrients for kelp and plankton setting up an underwater fest which calls to underwater photographers and divers from all over the world. It is an endless march up the food chain of the seas: the zooplankton feed on the plankton, slightly larger creatures feed on the plankton, and so it continues until even the largest of the seas’ creatures are seated at the table.

San Miguel, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and Anacapa Island make up what is known as the northern Channel Islands. The other four islands rest to the south; Santa Catalina Island, San Nicolas Island, San Clemente, and Santa Barbara Island. Although the southern Channel Islands tend to get more face time; it’s the northern chain we talked to Calboat Diving owner Ted Cumming about.

Cumming understands the draw to the northern Channel Islands; he spends a great deal of his time here introducing divers, photographers and the like to the areas bounty. “We make approximately four trips out to the Northern Channel Islands a day,” says Cumming. “The area is special; it is rated one of the top 10 dive sites in the world and it offers an amazing amount of marine life.”

NORTHERN CHANNEL ISLANDSWhere Marine Life Abounds

Anacapa Island Lighthouse in the Santa Barbara Channel Islands California. Photo By John Wiley

By Rick Stratton

13We support local divers - local divers support the industry.

Where did you dive yesterday? email us: [email protected] channel islands

Ventura, CA

• 65’ Long • Large inside saLon • 3500 Psi air and nitrox fiLLs on board • Hot sHowers • sLeePs 32 • Hot tub •

[email protected] • 805.650.DIVE

• 65’ Long • Large inside saLon • 3500 Psi air and nitrox fiLLs on board • Hot sHowers • sLeePs 32 • Hot tub •

[email protected] • 805.650.DIVE

Diving California’s Channel IslandsDive CommerCial

InternatIonalFamily Dive Store established and operated in Ballard since 1993.

206.784.50507058 15th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117

www.divecommercial.comfind us on facebook

BIRNS Rubber Connectors are simple, low-cost cable connectors for light-to-medium power or signal applications, and/or for applications where weight and/or magnetic signature are considerations. They are rated to 1,000m and 500VDC, and made of a durable elastomer that cannot chip or dent. They mate with each other in the in-line mode, and with BIRNS Polymeric Series bulkhead connectors. They are well engineered, yet extremely affordable and easy to use.

ANACAPA ISLAND The closest island to the mainland and the smallest of the northern islands, Anacapa

is about 11 miles off the coast of Port Hueneme. The island actually is composed of three islets (east, middle and west Anacapa). Anacapa has around 69 species of birds, steep lava rock cliffs with numerous cave and crevices, and is home to only four mammals. The draw for divers is the kelp forests and walls where kelp bass and sheep head wrasse are encountered along with sea lions, horn sharks, torpedo rays, bat rays, and morays.

“Anacapa is protected to the north,” says Cumming. “Because it is protected the sea life tends to be amazing. There are several dive sites in the area we enjoy taking divers to. Cathedral Cove is an interesting dive. There are all sorts of wildlife outside the caves - countless species of birds, sea lions, seals and the occasional whale.”

Common Dolphins near Channel Islands. by Chris Sanfino

www.nwdivenews.com14 Northwest Dive News January 2010 14 local divers do it more often

northWest destination southern coast

800 338-4662Kennewick, WA www.underseaadventures.net

DIVE INTO HISTORYFlooded TITAN I

Missile Silo deep under

the desert in Eastern

Washington

Full Service Dive Center

Hours:Mon,Tues,Thur:

9am-5pmFri: 9am-6pm sat: 8am-6pm sun: 8am-5pm

DrY suIT rEPAIrsEAls AnD zIPPErs

360.877.6818 hoodsportndive.com

HOODSPORT ‘N DIVE

InsTruCTIon Recreational • Technical • Instructor

ClosED WEDnEsDAY

Cumming also offers up Goldfi sh Bowl. This is a good spot for beginner divers. It is a site inside the marine reserve. “The site is well protected, and offers a shallow kelp forest,” Cumming says. “We take a lot of instructors and student divers out and this is a good place to take them.” Goldfi sh Bowl offers Navanax, spanish shawl, island kelpfi sh, garibaldi and sea hares. Sheephead, senoritas and blacksmith can often be found hiding out in the kelp forest and once in a while a diver may fi nd a horn shark or catch a glimpse of a Bat Ray. Visibility is usually 30-50 ft. around Anacapa and the water temps are a little cooler.

SANTA CRUZ Once the largest privately owned island

off the continental US, and now part-owned by the National Park service, Santa Cruz Island is the largest of the Channel Islands. Santa Cruz also boasts the most diverse of the islands in the area and although Cumming doesn’t spend a lot of time around Santa Cruz, he still says it is a good place to dive. “There are a lot of caves and caverns,” Cumming says. “Diablo Point Cave is popular for cavern dive training.” The Santa Cruz Island Fault line could be the cause of the 77 miles of craggy coastline cliffs, giant sea caves, crystal clear tide pools, and huge beaches.

The Northwest section of the island is volcanic with steep faces and large sea caves. The Southeast section is more sedimentary with large plateaus and thick kelp beds. Santa Cruz offers more places to fi nd good diving during rough weather periods than any other island due to its size and many coves. Seals, sea lions, bat rays, and many schools of fi sh are common sights while scuba diving along this island’s shores.

According to Underwater photography Guide (www.uwphotographyguide.com) the dive sites not to miss on Santa Cruz Island include:

Gull Island - This marine reserve has lush kelp, large fi sh, sea lions and harbor seals, and large patches of purple hydrocoral in shallow water. Southwest side of Santa Cruz.

Can’t read my, Can’t read my, Can’t read-a-my-fishy-face. Photo courtesy Channel Island National Park

Northwest Dive News January 2010 www.nwdivenews.com 151515We support our local dive shops - Without them We Will not have a dive industry.

Where did you dive yesterday? email us: [email protected] channel islands

THEWETSUITDIVER’STOWEL

THEDRYSUITDIVER’STOWEL

WET=COLD DRY=WARMDrysuit divers stay warm and dry.And nobody FITS you better than DUI.

Download a barcode scanner app on your smartphone to scan the QR code, or visitDUI-ONLINE.COM/TOWEL

Scan here to seewhy you shoulddive dry – ONLY in a great fitting DUI drysuit.

DIVE DRY. DIVE DUI .

Dolphin Charters LLC.

Mukilteo, WA 98275

Dolphin Charters

Customized

to fit

the needs

of divers

Offering

single tank

dive charters

to

re-breather

diving

www.dolphin-charters.com

425-493-2550425-773-0555

The onlyTechnical Dive Store

in Tacoma

(253) 238-17541602 Center St. Ste C, Tacoma, WAwww.tacomascubacenter.com

in Tacoma

604.514.8190www.langleydiving.com/

LEARN • GEAR UP • DIVELEARN • GEAR UP • DIVEWe are BC’s most modern dive

centre and offer the equipment, courses and dive opportunities

for all levels and ages.

West end Pinnacles - Great structure, pinnacles, sand channels, excellent macro life. Often not diveable due to exposed nature. This is the extreme west end of Santa Cruz.

Painted Cave area - Sea lions, rich marine life, many walls nearby. On the north side of the western half of the island.

Bowen Point - Lush kelp forests, good structure, torpedo rays. On the south side.

Potato Rock - Potato rock is a small pinnacle with good macro life and nudibranchs.

Flame Reef - located near the east end on the south side, fl ame reef is a great macro site fi lled with nudibranchs, small fi sh and other critters. If the current is not strong, do multiple dives here if possible.

“Both Santa Cruz and Anacapa have very diverse dive sites,” Cumming says. “There is something for everyone here which is why we enjoy going out there so much.” Cumming himself, a long time diver, prefers to dive the northern Channel Islands as well. He recommends putting the area on your bucket list for sure.

There are islands to the south in the Channel Islands chain including San Clemente, Santa Catalina, and the popular Santa Barbara Islands. “It is just an area that offers so much more in terms of sea life and diverse underwater landscape,” says Cumming. “It offers divers a chance to do many different types of dives all in one area.”

Cumming’s business Calboat sports an 85 ft. dive boat called the Spectre. He says it takes about an hour and a half to get to the Santa Cruz and Anacapa dive sites. He makes runs which begin at 7 a.m. and pulls back in at 5 p.m. “I have been a licensed captain for 29 years and have spent the past 15 years as skipper of the Spectre,” Cumming offers. “I enjoy my job. The Spectre sleeps 32 divers and has a fresh water hot tub on board. We BBQ daily…dive-BBQ-Hot tub…that’s how it works.”

For more info on Calboats visit www.calboatdiving.com. ■


canadian destinations British columBia

HEAVENLY HOWE SOUNDBEAUTIFUL AND NATURAL ONCE MORE

By Rick StrattonPublisher, Dive News Network

Howe Sound, located just North of the City of Vancouver British Columbia offer some

of the best access to scuba diving on the BC mainland. Once devastated by the industrial base of logging, pulp mills

and mining, combined with the loss of fi sh stocks, the area has had an incredible rebound in recent years. For divers needing adventure, Howe Sound is your spot. The Sound stretches

along mainland Vancouver’s northwestern shore, to the foothills of the Coastal Mountains. Howe Sound is triangular in shape and is a network of fjords. There are several islands in the

sound and three are large and mountainous. While out in the Sound on boat dives you will discover sea life and terrain you just can’t fi nd

anywhere else in the world. This is where underwater photographers will fi nd wolf eels, octopus, cabezon and lingcod all waiting for their turn in front of the camera. Orange and white swimming anemones, small

crabs, hydroids and frosted nudibranchs welcome divers to the area. This is a dive destination that will call you back over and over again.

Dive boat operators pick up their divers in Horseshoe Bay for 2-tank charters. One such charter is Sea Dragon Charters which is based in Vancouver, BC but operates two boats, one out of both Howe Sound and one out of Nanaimo. Owner Kevin Breckman has been captaining these waters for over 12 years and he knows where all

Point Atkinson Lighthouse at the entry to Howe Sound. Photo Courtesy Vancouver.ca


Where did you dive yesterday? email us: [email protected] hoWe sound

The Dive Shop has been offering Calgary divers quality scuba instruction, sales and

service for over 40 years.

Monday to Friday - 10am to 7pmSaturday - 10am to 5pmSunday - 12pm to 5pm

www.diveshopscuba.com

Life’s too short... Get Wet!

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

(403) 243-4616(403) 243-4616(403) 243-4616(403) 243-4616(403) 243-4616(403) 243-4616

Two boats, two locations, same great experience.

For bookings on either boat, please call Sea Dragon Charters at 604-329-3486www.seadragoncharters.com

the good dive sites are. “Howe Sound is a fjord so the water is deep,” says Breckman. “We have exquisite sea mounts and pinnacles.” Breckman adds that although the water is often a mix of salt water and fresh water run off the viz is still good. “It often makes a difference if there is a lot of run off,” Breckman says. “However the diving in Howe Sound is not much different than most ocean diving. There are times when there is a cloud layer on top of the water but you can dive 20 ft. and come out into crystal clear viz.”

Breckman says that the sea life in Howe Sound is marching back and it makes for some pretty amazing diving these days. “We have

huge fi elds of cloud sponges as well as wolf eels and everything else you can expect to fi nd in the waters off British Columbia. The truly amazing thing is the color, which BC is known for; Howe Sound has that incredible array of colors too making it a great place to take underwater photos.” Locations good for

Plumose anemone. Photo Courtesy

Vancouver’s Outdoor Recreation Blog

Giant Stride. Photo Courtesy Vancouver’s Outdoor Recreation Blog

Special Thanks To: The Breckmans

Sea Dragon ChartersRoy Mulder

PresidentMarine Life Sanctuaries

Society of British ColumbiaMichael Meagher

Michael Meagher Productions



Each day we serve upIncredible Photo Ops!@ up to 4 great dives per day

from our comfy Wilderness Resort!Nitrox & o2 available

Call toll free (877) 725-2835 (Can. & U.S.)

Port Hardy, BC, Canadawww.VancouverIslandDive.com

Hornby Island Diving

www.hornbyislanddiving.com

(250) 335-2807

Scuba diving charters& guest lodge

Hornby Island, BC, Canada

email ~ [email protected]

close-up photography are Bird Islet, where you can fi nd yellow sea pens, small sculpins and brittle stars. Cowan Point is equally good for zoanthids, hairy-spined crabs and crimson anemones and groups of sea lions are fun to dive with during winter months, creating great video.

There are approximate 30 dive sites that the Sea Dragon crew will take divers to. Breckman mentions the “Dragon’s Den”.

“We just discovered this dive site,” Breckman says. “It is a steep, sheer wall that is more for the experienced diver but what a great place it is to dive. At 65 ft. you come across deep caverns and sea anemones that are actually growing upside down giving the dive a cave-like feel. There are an incredible number of war bonnets in this area.” Breckman also mentions the “Stairway to Heaven” dive site. “We also just discovered this dive site and it

Sunflower Stars. Photo Courtesy Vancouver’s Outdoor Recreation Blog

is also a wall dive,” Breckman says. “There are a large number of rockfi sh here, and I do mean large…and some very large lingcod who snack on them.

There are a number of other dive sites in Howe Sound that bear mentioning. Porteau Cove Provincial Marine Park is a popular spot for weekend divers. Porteau Cove was set up just for divers with a series of tire chains, concrete blocks and steel ‘H’ Beams that were sunk as an artifi cial reef. This site attracts a wide variety of marine life, including octopus, plumose anemones, lingcod, and shrimp. There are also 3 small wrecks, The Granthall a 28m, steel-hulled CPR tugboat, the Centennial III, an 11 meter steel dredge tender, and a 15 meter sailboat hull. The Nayaka, a 125 ft. minesweeper is also in this area however it is for more experienced divers. Another popular dive site is Pam Rocks. This is a boat dive and is a mix of rocky outcrops and sandy slopes, descending to depths of around 30 ft. The area is known for the colony of seals that play here as well as a group of tube-dwelling



D IVE SAFETY BEGINS WITH DAN

YOUR DIVE SAFETY BEGINS WITH DAN MEMBERSHIP

24-Hour Emergency Hotline • Medical Evacuation • Travel Insurance • Dive Accident Insurance • Medical Information • Alert Diver Magazine

Join Today! dan.org/dnn

anemones, sea firs, short-spined stars, and clams.

There are a number of dive sites around Gambier Island. Halkett Wall is a steep wall to over 100 ft. Gambier Island East Wall is a deep wall and a shallow wall, with a sloped sand ledge between. Ekins Point offer a gentle slope with some rolling hills and a max depth around 33 ft. There are plenty of other sites not included in this summary, just a short list includes Hutt wall, Hutt Rock, Worlecombe Island, Christie Islett, Passage Island, Seymore Wall, Reefmaster, Salmon Rock, Keats Island Wall, Dorman Bay, Royse Rock, and many more.

Breckman says that all of these sites as well as some 25 others offer divers a unique look into the marine life off the shores of British Columbia. “The dive sites are so different in different areas that a diver could spend weeks here and never dive the same site twice,” Breckman says. “We have walls, pinnacles, sea mounts, wrecks, easy dives, advanced dives…to be honest, no matter what level of diver you are, Howe Sound can

accommodate you.” Breckman adds that his charter service crew doesn’t have a problem doing some traveling to get to the dive site you want either. “Our primary vessel is a big, fast boat,” says Breckman. “We have traveled as much as 30 nautical miles in a day to accommodate divers. We are not afraid to do a little traveling.”

According to Jan Breckman –co-owner of the Sea Dragon, one of the key benefits to coming to Howe Sound is that the area can be easily be explored without having to get on an expensive and time consuming ferry. “ There is a nice hotel right in Horseshoe Bay

in walking distance of the boat, restaurants, pubs, etc. The Sea Dragon has an on-board compressor for diver’s convenience and is a wide, roomy, diver-friendly vessel, fully protected from the elements for winter diving in Howe Sound.” said Breckman.

If you haven’t considered heading to Howe Sound for diving; this might be a good time to change your mind. The diving offers sea life that is both plentiful and colourful and the dive charters are ready and willing to take you where you want to go. So pack up that gear and head north…it appears to be where all the fun is. ■

20 local divers do it more often


Ask your

Dive Shop for

the Analox

EIICOwww.edge-gear.com

built for quality and value

Find a dealer now at:

Your Diving Professionals Since 1956

• Sales Service • Rentals • Dive Travel• Nitrox Instruction & FillsMonday-Friday 8:30 - 6:00

Saturday 8:30-5:00

www.eugeneskindivers.com

(541) 342-23511090 West 6th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97402

Your Diving Professionals Since 1956Your Diving Professionals Since 1956Your Diving Professionals Since 1956

P.A.D.I. 5 StarIDC TrainingFacility

WeSpecialize in Diver Training

Roy MulderPresident, Marine Life Sanctuaries Society of British Columbia

Howe Sound has seen some very positive recent developments. The closure of

a pulp mill and the remediation at the Britannia mine site have allowed for some

of Howe Sound’s health to rebound. This is a tremendous opportunity provided we take the measures required to allow for a full rebound.

The fi sh stocks in Howe Sound have been reduced to a fraction of their former numbers. Where once there were abundant stocks of copper, tiger, yellowtail, black, quillback and

yellowtail rockfi sh, only a few remain. Some rockfi sh can live over a hundred years and don’t survive if caught and released.

Recently with the help of citizen scientists we have discovered some huge cloud sponge (aphrocallistes vastus) bioherms in Howe Sound. These sponges composed of silicate,

hoWe sounD an oPPortunitY for starting over



21We support our local dive shops - Without them We Will not have a dive industry.


DIVE VICTORIAVisit Victoria’s Premier Dive

Centre & Charter Service

ATTN: DIVE CENTRES & CLUBS“Group Weekend Trip”

SOUTH ISLAND WRECK TREKHMCS MacKenzie•GB Church•Boeing 737 Airplane Chemainus•HMCS Cape Breton•HMCS Saskatchewan•Riv Tow Lion•

Some 2010 trips available

1-888-701-11771-250-380-9119

email: [email protected]

Some 2010 trips availableGROUP RATES APPLY

Some 2010 trips available

1-888-701-1177

Some 2010 trips availableBOOK NOW FOR 2011

6 Spectacular

Dives in 2 Days

PADI 5 Star Instructor Development CenterDo your IDC in Honolulu, Hawaii•Located 3 Minutes from Waikiki•We dive one of these Shipwrecks Daily: Sea •Tiger, YO-257 or San PedroSee White Tips, Eagle Rays, Huge Turtles•25% of Fishes in Hawaii are Endemic•

SCUPAPRO / Tusa / Aqualung / Aeris / Suunto / More

WWW.DIVEOAHU.COM

provide ideal habitat for fish and other creatures. These magnifi cent white, orange and green sponges virtually cover the top of some of the deep-water reefs. A few can be found within diving range and are being studied. Others have been documented by a deep water drop camera that Glen Dennison has manufactured. These are the same sponges that were found on the outer west coast of British Columbia and given protected status.

The Marine Life Sanctuaries Society of British Columbia has started a voluntary no-take marine sanctuary at all of the sites in Howe Sound that are currently designated as Rockfi sh Conservation Areas. MLSS feels that the RCA designation doesn’t do enough to protect rockfi sh, as several other methods of fi shing (that still catch rockfi sh) are still legal within the RCAs. Using a community based education and stewardship program MLSS has been visiting communities in Howe Sound to show them why protection is needed. The RCAs in Howe Sound resulted from earlier work done by the Underwater Council of BC to create protected areas around the mooring buoy dive sites.

There have been observations of Pacifi c white-sided dolphins, a grey whale, and even six-gill sharks in Howe Sound recently. We need to create marine sanctuaries to allow it to return to its’ former health.■


www.nwdivenews.com22 Northwest Dive News January 2010 www.nwdivenews.com22 Northwest Dive News January 2010 22 local divers do it more often!

travel destinations cariBBean sea

By Rick StrattonPublisher, Dive News Network

In my humble opinion, Cozumel is one of the best places in the world to dive. It literally has more divers per square inch than any other dive destination in the world and don’t just take my word for it…ask any diver who has been there. Recently I got a chance to visit once again and what a great trip!

This time around I was invited to come to Cozumel by my friend Renee “Apple” Applegate. Apple is the owner and manager of operations at Dive Paradise. She is a PADI master scuba instructor with over 30 years of diving and training experience. I couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Apple spent many years teaching SCUBA in the Red Sea while serving as head nurse in a Saudi Arabian hospital before heading south to Cozumel. She loves what she does now and is a well-respected member of the dive community.

Cozumel is 12 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and although it is known for its white sandy beaches, it is the bounty of marine life that keeps divers coming back from all over the world. The remarkable clarity in the water with an array of blues and greens that are indescribable and have to be one of the reasons that Jacques Cousteau once declared Cozumel one of the most beautiful scuba diving areas of the world. The area has a rich history and the fi rst time I was there I spent a lot of time diving and exploring. On my second trip I wondered what more Cozumel had to offer…boy was I in for a treat. I have to say that, with Apple as my guide, this time around Cozumel was one of the easiest dive trips I have ever been on.

There are a lot of dive sites to explore in Cozumel. You will fi nd amazing scenery in Santa Rosa, Palancar, Paraiso, Punta Sur and Maracaibo. Around Swallows’ Island you will fi nd yourself in a natural aquarium full of life. It’s like swimming in a dream loaded with turtles, sharks, rays and dolphins. It is important to note that diving Cozumel needs to be a guided activity. There are a number of areas that should be for experienced divers only however there are places for beginning as well including a newly minted Cancun Underwater Museum sculpture park that sports over 400 artistic sculptures created by renowned British artist Jason Decaires Taylor. This incredible new attraction caters to both scuba divers and snorkelers.

DIVING CAPITAL OF THE WORLDDIVING CAPITAL OF THE WORLDDIVING CAPITAL OF THE WORLDCOZUMEL

Blue waters of Cozumel called, and Rick answered. Photo by Rick Stratton

Allen Martin of Sea Robin Cozumel. Photo by Rick Stratton

Northwest Dive News January 2010 www.nwdivenews.com 23Northwest Dive News January 2010 www.nwdivenews.com 232323local divers don’t Just dive locally - they dive GloBally!

Where did you dive yesterday? email us: [email protected] coZumel

Find out what experienced divers

already know.SCUBA CLUB

COZUMEL is THE place for a

quality dive vacation. Our Room, Meal &

Diving packages are designed to give you more for your money, and to make your vacation worry free. Call now and ask about our spring & summer rates.

Dive Resort - Cozumel, Mexico

www.scubaclubcozumel.com • 800-847-5708

quality dive vacation.

Diving packages are designed to give you more for

COZUMEL

Allen Martin of Sea Robin Cozumel. Photo by Rick Stratton

Photo by Rick Stratton

Self portrait by Rick Stratton


www.nwdivenews.com24 Northwest Dive News January 2010 www.nwdivenews.com24 Northwest Dive News January 2010 24 local divers do it more often!

travel destinations cariBBean sea

• Molokai Hammerheads• 30+ Lanai Dive Sites• Carthaginan Wreck

• Turtle Dives Daily• Twilight/Nite

• Molokini Backwall Drift• Molokini Crater• Quality Rentals

• Friendly Sales• Super Service

1-800-998-DIVEwww.LahainaDivers.com

Certifications fromOpen Water Diverto Instructor

Maui, HawaiiMaui, Hawaii

The diving around Cozumel offers a chance to see what warm water diving is really all about. After spending some time diving with Apple I met up with Alan Martin of Sea Robin Charters. Alan runs a small six-pack operation that offers the diver a chance to dive in intimate company. Alan knows the dive sites in Cozumel. Diving with him was like getting a tour of Disneyland from Mickey Mouse himself.

There are a number of really interesting dive sites in Cozumel. For instance, San Juan Reef, which is a boat dive, is south of Punta Molas lighthouse, on the same reef as San Juan Two. There are pretty strong so this is a spot for experienced divers. Wire coral and purple sea fans are common here but the large pelagic are also a part of the landscape. The gray reef shark is a regular resident. There is a natural amphitheater called Pino’s Bowl here that is a must see.

Another dive site is the Barracuda Reef, also a boat dive and just South of Punta Molas lighthouse, to the northwest of the island. There are severe currents in this area, so the number of divers per boat is limited to six. It is for experienced open-water drift divers. Barracuda Reef is a fl at strip reef sloping into the depths.

The attraction is the above-average chance to see large pelagic, such as barracuda, jacks, rays and sharks. The Yucab Wall is due west of Yucab. This site is favored by a number of diving operations. Large coral buttresses jut out and form a convoluted, scalloped outer reef edge with numerous gullies and swim through.

Finally there is the Chankanaab Reef, a 40-50 ft. dive where the current generally runs from North to South. According to Alan,



Northwest Dive News January 2010 www.nwdivenews.com 25Northwest Dive News January 2010 www.nwdivenews.com 252525local divers don’t Just dive locally - they dive GloBally!

Where did you dive yesterday? email us: [email protected] coZumel

When Experience Counts...

…into whose hands will you place your trust for

exceptional diving encounters, top notch accommodations, first rate

food & beverage, safety & security? www.divencounters.com© Joe Nicastri

Peter A. Hughes, Founder INDONESIAM S/V WAOW

NEW!!

SOCORRO ISLANDM/V SOLMAR V

MALDIVESM/V ORION

GALAPAGOSM/V GALAPAGOS SKY

COCOS ISLANDM/V ARGO

the dive begins over a fl at sandy area with a series of coral heads, which are home to king crab, spotted moray eels, and a large number of huge spiny lobster. To the South colonies of soft corals, sea whip, and gorgonians give shelter to grouper while they visit cleaning stations staffed by gobies and cleaner shrimp.

If wrecks are your thing Cozumel has those too with the C-53 also referred to as the Felipe Xicotencalt or The Wreck. The C-53 was sunk on June 5, 2000, with the purpose of creating an artifi cial Reef for scuba divers in Cozumel. The dive plan is usually 45 minutes of bottom time and once you penetrate the wreck your average depth is around 50-60 ft. The wreck already serves as shelter for several species of marine creatures, including schools of glassy sweepers, grunts and lobsters.

I stayed at Scuba Club Cozumel and I have to say that once you walk through their gates it is as if the world is left behind. There is a private beach and the entire resort is diver friendly. Scuba Club Cozumel is located on the waterfront approximately a mile south of the downtown ferry dock.

It is a beautiful resort with a Spanish-Colonial fl are. It is right on the waterfront was Cozumel’s fi rst dedicated diver’s resort. It is a dive destination that offers an intimate place for divers to stay. The food was simple but elegant. Meals are included in the package served at their two restaurants located in the center of the resort at “the Fat Grouper Grill”. Every evening there is a different selection of entrees with a taste of the cuisine from the Yucatan region.

I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention my good friends at Albatros Charters in Cozumel. I didn’t get a chance to stop by and spend some time with them however next time I am in the area I will. Albatros Charters offers fi shing, diving and snorkeling services on their boats the Libra, the Frigate and the Albatros.

So will I go back to Cozumel again? Absolutely! The friendly people, the incredible food and the excellent diving all make this dive destination one for the books…over and over again.■


www.nwdivenews.com26 Northwest Dive News January 2010

medical divinG article courtesy of divers alert netWorK

26 Want to support local divinG in your part of the GloBe? email [email protected]

The ORIGINAL

soun

d in

sura

nce

The ORIGINALThe ORIGINALThe ORIGINAL

www.DiveAlert.com

“Without DiveAlert, I might still be floating off the coast of Costa Rica. I was too far away for my safety sausage, but DiveAlert caught the boat’s attention. I thank you. My Mom thanks you. We now require DiveAlerts of all our guests on every trip.”Chris NewbertMarine Life Photographer

“

my dog Bongo really thanks you! ”

Experience Excellence!

CALL: 250.335.2342www.twoeagleslodge.com

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.

Experience Paradise!

If you’re looking to shed some pounds from your weight belt, slip into that slimmer wetsuit and take a giant stride into more challenging

dive environments, it’s time to commit to some changes. Make 2012 the year to improve your dive fi tness.

A YEAR IN REVIEWBefore establishing a fi tness plan, take an assessment of your

current physical status. Talk to your doctor to develop fi tness goals for the year and for nutritional guidelines to help you reach those goals. Consider your capabilities and make reasonable targets based on that information. You may want to get a dive physical to ensure you are fi t to dive.

If you’d like to see a dive physician in your area or if your physician would like a consultation, call the DAN Medical Information Line at +1-919-684-2948.

PLAN YOUR FITNESSMake a workout plan; be sure to incorporate cardio, strength

training and fl exibility exercises. Schedule time for your workouts in writing, then stick to them. After you’ve established reasonable goals, write in benchmarks you hope to achieve, and track your progress. This doesn’t apply just to pounds.

Set goals to extend the miles you can run or reduce the amount of time in which you can do it. Always wanted to do a triathlon? Train for it! Recognize that setbacks will happen; don’t let them throw off your whole fi tness routine. You can and will reach your goals if you stay dedicated. As you meet your goals, take time to celebrate the success of

your hard work; it will help propel you towards your next benchmark.

BUDDY UPThe buddy system isn’t just for diving. Knowing that a buddy

expects you to meet them at the gym or to go just one more block can help you reach your goals. Support each other as you strive for better fi tness.

TAKE IT TO HEARTOne of the leading causes of dive-related fatalities is cardiac

incident, particularly in divers over the age of 40. You can improve your cardiovascular health by incorporating regular aerobic exercise into your physical fi tness routine. Take a brisk walk or swim approximately 30 minutes a day, fi ve days a week. Or if you want a greater challenge, run or bike at least three days a week for at least 20 minutes. Vary your routine to challenge yourself.

EAT HEALTHYStock your fridge with foods low in sodium, saturated fats or

cholesterol, and avoid trans fats. When picking proteins, choose nuts, lean meats and low-fat dairy products. Stock up on fresh fruits, vegetables and whole-grains. Be conscious of your portion sizes and eat a variety of foods. Wise nutritional choices help promote overall health and physical fi tness.

ENHANCE YOUR EDUCATIONIf you plan to take on new diving environments this year, in

addition to ensuring you meet the physical demands they present, make sure you have the proper training to dive in that environment. Enroll in a training course and continue your diving education to enhance your skills as diver.

DAN CAN HELPLearn more about how you can improve your fi tness. Read the

“Dive Fitness” column available at www.AlertDiver.com. There you can learn about routines to enhance your dive fi tness as well as how to make wise nutritional choices. You can also enroll in courses to learn more about dive fi tness and dive-specifi c fi rst aid at www.DAN.org. Enhance your diving experience this year with a commitment to fi tness. ■

neW Year, neW You

Northwest Dive News January 2010 www.nwdivenews.com 272727local divers don’t Just dive locally - they dive GloBally

andy lamB’s mystery critter [email protected]

Vancouver Island49th Parallel Dive Charters

Custodians of the Boeing 737 Artificial Reef

Day trips

&

Weekend

packages

Onboard air

Historic shipwrecks

Porlier Pass

Nightdives

37 ft boat

Giant stride with us! 1-250-252-0758 or [email protected]

www.emeraldparadise.ca

Recently, Pauline Ridings, a Resource Management Biologist with Fisheries and

Oceans Canada, in Prince Rupert, B.C., sent along the accompanying photograph. Using CN38, page 91, in our book Marine Life of the Pacifi c Northwest, she tentatively identifi ed the dominant species as the ‘pink soft coral’ that, at the time, had not been formally described as a scientifi cally acknowledged species. After examining some close up detail from a 2nd image she also took, we were able to verify Pauline’s theory.

An avid sport diver, Pauline found this

accumulation of pink soft coral on the eastern side of Maskelyne Island, at the mouth of Work Channel, northern B.C. This dive site is subject to strong current and defi nitely one for the advanced diver. She started seeing the beautiful coral at about 60ft (18m) and noted its abundance increased as she moved deeper – and ultimately, as far down as she could scan. As shown in the photograph, it covered much of the bottom. A majority of the colonies were a peach pink colour but a few white colonies appeared here and there.

To date, this ‘new’ species has been

recorded at either extreme of the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii) as well as several locations in southeast Alaska. However, most sightings have been of a few colonies rather than carpeting the bottom as observed by Pauline.

Presently, Dr. Gary Williams, cold water coral expert from the California Academy of Sciences is preparing a scientifi c paper documenting this soft coral as well as various Pacifi c Northwest gorgonian species. In a recent communication, he states this project is on “the short list”. ■

PINK SOFT CORAL SIGHTING A FORMAL DESIGNATION LOOMS

WWW.ORCASCUBACENTER.COM

LessonsDive GearPADI eLearn CenterLocal DivesTropical Dive Trips

NOW RUNNING

DIVE CHARTERS ON

LAKE CHELAN

Cayman Aggressor IV [email protected] www.agressor.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 706.993.2531 www.aggressor.com 800.348.2628 [email protected]

Wind Dancer [email protected] www.dancerfleet.com 800.932.6237 305.669.9391

CoZUMELScuba Du 310.684.5556 www.scubadu.com

Sea Robin 951.824.9073 www.searobincozumel.com

CURaCaoOcean Encounters 800.932.6237 www.oceanencounters.com

DoMiNiCaN REPUBLiCTurks & Caicos Aggressor II (Silver Bank)[email protected] www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531

FiJiBeyond 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

FLoRiDaConch Republic Divers 305.852.1655 www.conchrepublicdivers.com

Horizon Divers 305.453.3535 www.horizondivers.com

Off The Wall Adventures 863.709-9253 www.offthewalladventures.com

Wetter the Better 561.596.8482 www.walkersdivecharters.com

GaLaPaGosDivencounters Alliance 877.323.DIVE www.divencounters.com

Galapagos Aggressor I & II [email protected] www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531

MaLDiVEsMaldives Aggressor [email protected] www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531

MExiCoAquanauts 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

PaLaUPalau Aggressor II [email protected] www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531

Tropic Dancer [email protected] www.dancerfleet.com 800.932.6237 or 305.669.9391

PaPUa NEw GUiNEaStar Dancer [email protected] www.dancerfleet.com 800.932.6237 or 305.669.9391

PHiLiPPiNEsActiVentures 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 - EGYPtFly & Sea Dive Adventures 888.995.DIVE(3483) www.redseadiving.ca

RoataNCoCo 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. kittsBird Rock Beach Resort 877.244.6285 www.birdrockbeach.com

st. ViNCENtBequia Dive Adventures 784.458.3826 www.bequiadiveadventures.com

tHaiLaNDSairee Cottage Diving 667.745.6126 www.saireecottagediving.com

tURks & CaiCosTurks & Caicos Aggressor II [email protected] www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531

aUstRaLiaMike Ball Expeditions (888) MIKEBALL www.mikeball.com

BaHaMasCarib Dancer [email protected] www.dancerfleet.com 800.932.6237 or 305.669.9391

“SEA DRAGON” DIVE LIVE-ABOARD www.seadragonbahamas.com

Small Hope Bay Lodge 800.223.6961 www.smallhope.com

UNEXSO 800.992.3483 www.unexso.com

BELiZEBelize Aggressor III [email protected] www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531

BoNaiRECarib Inn +599 717 8819 www.caribinn.com

Villa Makoshi Lower Level 780.483.0044 www.BonaireDiveVilla.com

CaYMaN isLaNDsDiveTech@Cobalt Coast Dive Resort 888.946.5656 divetech.com cobaltcoast.com

Sea Dragon Bahamas Diving

GUaDaLUPE & soCoRRoBaja Aggressor [email protected] www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531

HawaiiKona Aggressor II [email protected] www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531

Kona Honu 808.324.4668 www.konahonudivers.com

Maui Dreams Dive Co 808.874.5332 www.mauidreamsdiveco.com

HoNDURasDeep Blue Resort 504.95.76.36.97 www.deepblueutila.com

Utila Aggressor 706.993.2531 www.aggressor.com 800.348.2628 [email protected]

iNDoNEsiaKomodo Dancer [email protected] 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

Sea Safari Cruises 62.361.72.1212 www.seasafaricruises.com

TROPICAL DIVE DIRECTORYTo be listed call 360.240.1874 or email [email protected]

a listing of participating tropical charters, resorts, liveaboards, and dive shops

www.nwdivenews.com28 Northwest Dive News January 2010 28

What Gear are you divinG With? By miKe huGhes Gear BoX

dive locally - Where it really matters

CRESSI LEONARDO DIVE COMPUTERCressi introduces

a new line of dive compute r s ca l l ed “Leonardo”. You can manually turn on and off this dive computer. It has an on demand backlight feature, large display digits for experienced divers, and can be used for air or Nitrox blends. You can sync Leonardo

with your computer via infrared using the exclusive PC link interface. Also, Leonardo can calculate dive times from 0 to 255 minutes. The best part is that Leonardo is user friendly and you

can change the battery by yourself with just the aid of a quarter. I saw it in four different colors at DEMA; the white model can be used to set the white balance for underwater digital cameras. To see the Video clip we made, go to www.divenewsnetwork.com or look on Youtube under mikehughesscuba. www.cressi.it

DRYCASEDry Case is a new

product that makes your iphone or droid ready for just about any water sport or scuba dive down to 100ft of depth. Now you can use your smart phone camera or video app under water. Insert your phone in the clear soft case, seal it using the latches, attach the included bulb to the one way valve, give a few quick squeezes, and you have a vacuum packed phone ready to go to the beach and more. Want the phone out of Dry Case? No problem, simply unlock the latches and take it out. On land you can make a call by using the headphone with mic jack. In water you can use “DryBUDS”, waterproof headphones to listen to old school music or rap wit da fi shes. I like wearing my Dry Case attached to the soft wide armband. Need a bottom timer? Is there an app for that? See our DNN clip on Youtube under mikehughesscuba. www.drycase.com



Cayman Aggressor IV [email protected] www.agressor.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 706.993.2531 www.aggressor.com 800.348.2628 [email protected]

Wind Dancer [email protected] www.dancerfleet.com 800.932.6237 305.669.9391

CoZUMELScuba Du 310.684.5556 www.scubadu.com

Sea Robin 951.824.9073 www.searobincozumel.com

CURaCaoOcean Encounters 800.932.6237 www.oceanencounters.com

DoMiNiCaN REPUBLiCTurks & Caicos Aggressor II (Silver Bank)[email protected] www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531

FiJiBeyond 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

FLoRiDaConch Republic Divers 305.852.1655 www.conchrepublicdivers.com

Horizon Divers 305.453.3535 www.horizondivers.com

Off The Wall Adventures 863.709-9253 www.offthewalladventures.com

Wetter the Better 561.596.8482 www.walkersdivecharters.com

GaLaPaGosDivencounters Alliance 877.323.DIVE www.divencounters.com

Galapagos Aggressor I & II [email protected] www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531

MaLDiVEsMaldives Aggressor [email protected] www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531

MExiCoAquanauts 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

PaLaUPalau Aggressor II [email protected] www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531

Tropic Dancer [email protected] www.dancerfleet.com 800.932.6237 or 305.669.9391

PaPUa NEw GUiNEaStar Dancer [email protected] www.dancerfleet.com 800.932.6237 or 305.669.9391

PHiLiPPiNEsActiVentures 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 - EGYPtFly & Sea Dive Adventures 888.995.DIVE(3483) www.redseadiving.ca

RoataNCoCo 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. kittsBird Rock Beach Resort 877.244.6285 www.birdrockbeach.com

st. ViNCENtBequia Dive Adventures 784.458.3826 www.bequiadiveadventures.com

tHaiLaNDSairee Cottage Diving 667.745.6126 www.saireecottagediving.com

tURks & CaiCosTurks & Caicos Aggressor II [email protected] www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531

aUstRaLiaMike Ball Expeditions (888) MIKEBALL www.mikeball.com

BaHaMasCarib Dancer [email protected] www.dancerfleet.com 800.932.6237 or 305.669.9391

“SEA DRAGON” DIVE LIVE-ABOARD www.seadragonbahamas.com

Small Hope Bay Lodge 800.223.6961 www.smallhope.com

UNEXSO 800.992.3483 www.unexso.com

BELiZEBelize Aggressor III [email protected] www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531

BoNaiRECarib Inn +599 717 8819 www.caribinn.com

Villa Makoshi Lower Level 780.483.0044 www.BonaireDiveVilla.com

CaYMaN isLaNDsDiveTech@Cobalt Coast Dive Resort 888.946.5656 divetech.com cobaltcoast.com

Sea Dragon Bahamas Diving

GUaDaLUPE & soCoRRoBaja Aggressor [email protected] www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531

HawaiiKona Aggressor II [email protected] www.agressor.com 800.348.2628 706.993.2531

Kona Honu 808.324.4668 www.konahonudivers.com

Maui Dreams Dive Co 808.874.5332 www.mauidreamsdiveco.com

HoNDURasDeep Blue Resort 504.95.76.36.97 www.deepblueutila.com

Utila Aggressor 706.993.2531 www.aggressor.com 800.348.2628 [email protected]

iNDoNEsiaKomodo Dancer [email protected] 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

Sea Safari Cruises 62.361.72.1212 www.seasafaricruises.com

TROPICAL DIVE DIRECTORYTo be listed call 360.240.1874 or email [email protected]

a listing of participating tropical charters, resorts, liveaboards, and dive shops

Northwest Dive News January 2010 www.nwdivenews.com 292929send us your stories free at [email protected]

MP201 PROTEUSBy Selene Muldowney

IST held nothing back when delivering the MP201 Proteus to the dive community! Simply one of the best masks IST has made to date. It performs as a mask should delivering quality performance with the feeling of luxury. This mask offers the fi t every diver wants while balancing it with style and comfort. The soft hypoallergenic skirt is comfortable and thanks to the varied-thickness construction will not yield to increased pressure and depth. The nose pocket is also easily accessible despite glove thickness, a bonus for colder water divers wanting to maintain warmth.

The Proteus boasts a larger fi eld of vision while maintaining a smaller internal volume for a low profi le mask because the lenses are brought closer to the eyes. Additionally, IST offers divers with prescription needs, optical lenses, a bonus to see the amazing underwater world.

Fitting the mask is literally a cinch! With straps attached directly to the skirt and not the frame, the fi tting is not only simple and quick but offers fl exibility for any size facial profi le. Overall a comfortable, simple, easy to use yet durable mask offered by IST. As a female diver concerned with overall appearance – this mask is certainly on my sexy mask list!! To fi nd more information please visit IST www.istsports.com

SHARKSKINSharkskin products are not really made from the

skin of sharks and they don’t even harm sharks for that matter. They call their products Sharkskins to let you know tha t just like sharks, you too can have t h e u l t i m a t e protection from the environment for a multitude of water sports. Sharkskin makes vests, shirts, pants, and full body contoured wetsuits. The four-way stretching material comes in black or silver. So if you are looking for technical exposure protection from a 3ml material made in the USA and sewn in Australia, then you have to shield and suit up try one of these neutrally buoyant and wind resistant outfi ts. Check out our DNN clip on Youtube under mikehughesscuba or peruse www.sharkskin.com.au


IST held nothing back when delivering the MP201 Proteus to the dive community! Simply one of the best masks IST has made to date. It performs as a mask should delivering quality performance with the feeling of luxury. This mask offers the fi t every diver wants while balancing it with style and comfort. The soft hypoallergenic


What Gear are you divinG With? By miKe huGhes Gear BoX

30

BoatinG reGulations dive directory

Get your Business listed in our tropical dive directory for only $20!

By Captain Bob Figular

When learning to deal with bad weather and rough water it is important to learn how to understand and anticipate the flow

and direction of the waves. If a wave looks like it is going to break, your only out may be to back down before the wave gets to the vessel. Stay extremely aware of any wave combinations and avoid spots ahead where they tend to peak. If they peak ahead in the same place, chances are they will peak there when you and your vessel are closer. Do not let a slightly different wave or wave combination catch you by surprise!

In a situation when the current and seas are going in the same direction, current has the effect of lengthening the waves. Longer waves are more stable, with the crests farther apart, with this said… You still need to use caution.

While heading into the seas and current, your boats forward speed over the ground (SOG) will be lessened; this in turn will require more time transiting the entrance. Increasing your boat speed may be neces-sary to maintain forward progress. However, do not increase your boat speed to a point that makes negotiating the waves hazardous. If you have increased your overall boat speed to maintain forward progress you will need to reduce the boats speed as you approach each wave crest individually to maintain control.

With following seas and current, your speed over the ground will be increased. Because the waves are farther apart, the effort required to ride the back of the wave ahead should be easier. With following seas the current is coming from behind your vessel, more forward way will be required to maintain steering control. As with all following seas, stay on the back of the wave ahead. Do not allow yourself to be lulled into a false sense of security. With higher speed over the ground and less maneuverability due to the following current, there is not as much time to avoid a situation ahead. Keep a hand on the throttle and adjust power continuously. When entering or exiting port less time will be spent in the inlet, canal, or fairway, stay extremely aware of any

spots ahead to avoid. Maneuver early, as the current will carry the boat.In addition to coping with the current and state of the seas it is also

necessary to understand how to deal with high winds and the effects they will have on your boat when transiting harbors, inlets, or rivers.

Depending on your vessels design and sail area, it may be neces-sary to steadily apply helm to hold a course in high winds. As a boat operator you should be able to “read” the water to identify stronger gusts. The amount of chop on the surface will increase in gusts, and extremely powerful gusts may even blow the tops off waves. The ef-fect of a gust should be anticipated before it hits your boat. In large waves, the wave crest will block much of the wind when the boat is in the trough. Plan to offset its full force at the crest of the wave. The force of the wind may accentuate a breaking crest, and require steering into the wind when near the crest in head seas. Depending on the ves-sel, winds may force the bow off to one side while crossing the crest. For light vessels, the force of the wind at the wave crest could easily get under the bow sections (or sponson on a RIB), lift the bow to an unsafe angle, or force it sideways. Though a light vessel must keep some speed to get over or through the crest of a large wave, do not use so much speed that the vessel clears the crest; most of the bottom is exposed to a high wind. Be particularly cautious in gusty conditions and stay ready for a sudden large gust when clearing a wave. If your boat is fitted with twin-engines, be ready to use asymmetric propulsion to get the bow into or through the wind. Early and steady application of power is much more effective than trying to “catch-up” by apply-ing a burst of power. Vessels with large sail area and superstructures will develop an almost constant heel during high winds. In a gust, sudden heel, at times becoming extreme, may develop. This could cause handling difficulties at the crest of high waves. If the vessel exhibits theses tendencies, exercise extreme caution when cresting waves. Learn to safely balance available power and steering against the effects of winds and waves. ■

BaD Weather anD rough Water

Article provided courtesy of Cpt. Bob Figular

www.marinerslearningsystem.com

Dealing with Current and High Winds

WASHINGTON

Anacortes Diving & Supply Anacortes (360) 293-2070 Store

Diver’s Dream Charters Anacortes (360) 202-0076 Charter

Girl Diver Auburn (253) 397-4136 Store

Washington Divers Bellingham (360) 676-8029 Store

Gone Diving Bellingham (360) 738-2042 Store

Adventures Down Under Bellingham (360) 676-4177 Store

Pacific Adventure Charters Brinnon (206) 714--1482 Charter

Evergreen Dive Service Everett (425) 512-8811 Store

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

Dolphin Charters Mukilteo (440) 840-0445 Store

Whidbey Island Dive Oak Harbor (360) 675-1112 Store

Capital Divers Olympia (360) 866-3684 Store

31

A listing of participating dive shops, charters, resorts, and independent instructors dive directory

Get your Business listed in our dive directory for only $12.50! - call 360-240-1874

Northwest Dive Charter Parkland (253) 370-5144 Charter

Scuba Supplies Port Angeles (360) 457-3190 Store

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 Commercial Store

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 www.spokanescuba.com

Tacoma Scuba Center Tacoma (253) 238-1754 Store

Orca Scuba Wenatchee (509) 665-0660 Store

Bubbles Below Woodinville (425) 424-3483 Dive Center

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Broken Island Adventures Bamfield (888) 728-6200 Resort/Charter

Ocean Quest Water Sports Burnaby (604) 436-1157 Store

Abyssal Diving Charters Campbell River (800) 499-2297 Charter

49th Parallel Dive Charters Chemainus (250) 252-0758 Charter

Cedar Beach Resort Chemainus (250) 252-0758 Dive Resort

Pacific Pro Dive Courtenay (250) 338-6829 Store/Charter

UB Diving Courtenay (877) 883-3483 Store/Charter

PorpoiseBay.ca Egmont (800) 665-DIVE Charter/Resort

Hornby Island Diving Hornby Is. (250) 335-2807 Dive Resort

Langley Diving Langley (604) 514-8170 Store/Charter

Sink or Swim Scuba & Watersports Nanaimo (250) 758-7946 Store

Sundown Diving Nanaimo (888) 773-3483 Store/Charter

Nanaimo Dive Outfitters Nanaimo (250) 756-1863 Store

West Beach Resort Orcas Island www.westbeachresort.com Resort

Rendezvous Dive Adventures Port Alberni (877) 777-9994 Charter

Browning Pass Hideaway Port Hardy (877) 725-2835 Resort/Charter

God’s Pocket Resort Port Hardy www.godspocket.com

Alpha Dive Services Powell River (604) 485-6939 Store

Copper Island Diving Salmon Arm (250) 832-5737 Store

Tahtsa Dive Charters Tahsis (250) 934-6365 Charter

MethodMarine.com Tofino (250) 725-3251 Store/Marina

TwoEaglesLodge.com Union Bay (250) 335-2342 Dive Resort

SeaDragonCharters.com Vancouver (604) 329-3486 Charter

Ogden Point Dive Victoria (888) 701-1177 Store/Charter

Wilson Diving Services Victoria (250) 478-4488 Store

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

Sub Sea Experience Edmonton (780) 434-1433 Store

Just for You Crew & Dive Services Grand Prairie (780) 832-7209 Store

IDAHO

Dive Magic Boise (208) 319-3483 Store

Divers West Coeur D’Alene (208) 664-0751 Store

MONTANA

Sports Cove Bozeman (406) 585-9926 Store

Big Horn Divers Kalispell (406) 752-4970 Store

Glacier Divers Kalispell (406) 253-4016 Store

OREGON

Triton Ocean Outfitters Ashland (541) 708-5435 Store

Astoria Scuba Astoria www.astoriascuba.com Store

PacificWatersports.com Aloha (503) 642-3483 Store

Central Oregon Diving Bend (541) 388-3660 Store/Charter

Rogue Scuba, Inc. 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

Aquatic Sports Portland (503) 245-4991 Store

Diver’s Den Roseburg (541) 673-3710 Store

Blue Element Salem (503) 400-7375 Store/Charter

SalemScuba.com Salem (503) 588-3483 Store

Under Water Works Tigard (503) 620-6993 Store

ALASKA

Dive Alaska Anchorage (907) 770-1778 Store/Charter

Test the Waters North Pole (907) 490-4444 Store

Island Fever Diving Sitka (907) 747-7871 Store/Charter

HAWAII

Aqua Zone Honolulu (808) 923-3483 Store

Dive Oahu Honolulu (808) 922-3483 Charter

Pearl Harbor Divers Honolulu (808) 589-2177 Store/Charter

Honolulu Scuba Company Honolulu (808) 220-0577 Store

www.honoluluscubacompany.com

Jack’s Diving Locker Kailua-Kona (808) 329-7585 Store/Charter

Kona Honu Divers Kailua-Kona (808) 324-4668 Charter

Pacific Rim Divers Kailua-Kona (808) 334-1750 Charter

Torpedo Tours Kailua-Kona (808) 938-0405 Charter

Dive & Sea Maui www.diveandseamaui.com Charter

SeaSport Divers 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

CALIFORNIA

Catalina Divers Supply LLC Avalon (760) 801-7996 Store/Charter

Valued at over $50To the first 250 visitors

each day*

FREESwag Bag

wE ♥ BOOBIES

So much so, we are donating all of

Sunday’s female admission price to Dive For a Cure

NWDN_0112

Documents

boat diving

sport of scuba diving

diving related stories

improper diving techniques

hawaiijacks diving locker

robinsons diving adventures800

dive sites

dive training