February 2005

Home , Socorro Island

The Newsletter of the Northern California Rainbow Divers Buddy Line President’s Log Entry February 2005 Inside this issue: The holidays are over and life is settling dive planner, has already posted the first back into its less hectic routine, for most one regarding preferences for diving at Pt. President’s Log Entry 1 of us anyway. Earlier this month, the tsu- Lobos. They’re quick and easy to fill out, nami in Asia served as none too subtle so please participate—the more we know, The Tsunami 2 reminder just how fragile life can be and the better! how quickly the daily routines that we Local Diving 3 We also have a board position available. take for granted can literally be swept After three years of tirelessly working for Diving for Life 4 away. NCRD, Mike Ford has decided to step Presentations We’ve all seen the news and heard the down from the board. Anyone who’s at- Membership Renewals 5 pleas for support, so I won’t dwell on that, tending one of the many trips he’s but I would like to draw your attention to planned knows how hard he’s worked for From the Sydney Under- 5 a couple of diving-related articles about the club, and on behalf of the board, I’d water Buddies (SUBS) the tsunami (on page 2). Many of our like to thank him for his service. In par- Manta Encounters and 6 members travel all over the world seeking ticular, his trip planning has set a high More at Socorro Island out the best dive spots, and it’s quite so- standard for us to live up to. Upcoming Meetings 7 bering to think that people we know could The board is reviewing the by-laws of the easily have been there celebrating the club; they need some work to resolve in- Calendar holidays underwater. consistencies and clarify some processes. • February 9 On a much cheerier note, we had a great Since this is a legal document, we would General Meeting meeting at the LGBT Center in San Fran- like some help from an attorney with a • February 10 cisco, including a couple of new members non-profit law background. If you know Board Meeting who found us through our web site. Every- someone and would like to recommend one enjoyed the Galapagos video and pic- him or her, please let me know. • February 12 tures, and we spent some time getting to Pt. Lobos Diving And saving the best for last...NCRD’s know each other, too. share of the Diving for Life proceeds is • February 17 Our next meeting is at Wallin’s Dive Cen- $11,616! This money will be donated to General meeting ter on February 9 with guest speaker Geoff one or more local charities, and we’ll be • March 12 Bahr, the Volunteer Dive Team Coordina- hearing presentations from applicants at Pt. Lobos Diving tor for the San Mateo Sherrif’s Depart- our March meeting. Look for more details • April 11 ment. This is the first of our joint meet- in this issue of the Buddy Line. General Meeting ings with the Kelptomaniacs, and I espe- Doug McGrath cially hope that our South and East Bay • May 19 President members find it to be more convenient. General Meeting Northern California Rainbow Divers The board has been spending some time [email protected] discussing how best we can serve the club members, and ultimately, we need you to tell us. From time to time, we’ll be posting some surveys so that we can make sure that we’re providing the best possible experience for you. Bob Sommer, our local Page 2 February 2005 The Tsunami From the Editor: From Florence Depondt, Program Assis- For information on the pro- tant with the Coral Reef Alliance: ject, how you can become On this page, you’ll find two articles about involved, and great resources the tsunami; the first is an excerpt of e- The devastating impact of the tsunami for organizers, please visit mail from Joe Kaminski, an NCRD mem- which hit South Asia on December 26th our web site or e-mail us. ber who visited Thailand a couple of years has shown the importance of protecting [links/address below—Ed.] ago. coral reefs and other aquatic environ- ments. Coral reefs and mangroves act as Be sure to register your event The second is from the Coral Reef Alli- natural barriers, protecting coastlines online. The first 300 organ- ance, a group dedicated to protecting and from storm and wave damage. izers to register by April 1st preserving the coral reefs around the will receive our new and im- world. Dive In To Earth Day offers you the proved package with posters unique opportunity to take a stand for the Please note that the information is in- and support materials (also protection of coral reefs and your local cluded here for you to have, not as an en- now available in Spanish). marine environment, and raise global dorsement of any charities by NCRD. I awareness about pressing conservation Thanks to all of you who are found these to be moving and relevant to issues. It's time to roll up your sleeves and making this possible. us as divers, and while I hope you do, too, organize or participate in a Dive In activ- I also encourage you to always make in- We’ll see you out there dur- ity - whether its a reef or lake cleanup, an formed decisions when choosing where to ing the week of Earth Day! educational snorkeling trip or a children’s donate. art contest! • www.coral.org Doug McGrath • [email protected]

From NCRD Member Joe Kaminski: out with that day. Here was their descrip- to be back to Thailand— tion: which is our true home During late November 2002 following a country now—as soon as Himalayan trek in Nepal, I flew to Bang- Dear all, possible. kok and Phuket, Thailand. I traveled First of all we want to thank you very north about an hour from Phuket to Khao I could manage to get a lap- much for your mail. We were truly over- Lak and stayed a place called Poseidon top and from now on we are whelmed about how many messages we Bungalows. In all the places I have been in back in business. Please visit got. Please understand that at the mo- my life, I’ve never seen a bay with its palm our web site in the next few ment and under the circumstances, we trees, bamboo, flowers and ferns that felt days. We will give you a de- are not able to answer them all person- closer to me than “paradise on earth.” The tailed update there. We also ally, but be assured we will do this at a quiet waters of the thatched roof restau- want to start some fund later time. rant, the odd night bird, the incredibly raising for the Thai people helpful Thai guy and his little boy who A quick summary: We were lucky and and if you want to help and motorcycled me to Khao Lak National could escape the tidal wave, but we have support you will find all in- Park for hiking on the beach, the scrump- lost a lot of friends and acquaintan- formation there. We want to tious food, and the day spent out boating ces...and our office and house. Our Thai thank you again for your and scuba diving near Similan Islands #8 crew is OK as well, though they lost many sympathy and hope to see and #9, all are etched in my memory. of their relatives and also all their houses you soon or again, just see and personal belongings. you! I was naturally concerned and wondering about some of these locations so I con- At the moment we are on the way to All the best, tacted the scuba diving company I went Europe, because it will be easier to rear- Wolfgang and Evi, range things from there and we will try Scuba Diving Adventures February 2005 Page 3 Local Diving by Bob Sommer Hello Rainbow Divers, serve your spot by contacting your Dive In order to better serve the Planner (me, Bob Sommer), at diveplan- needs of club members, if Are you itching to get in the water? Can’t [email protected]. you are interested in local wait for that warm water trip? Well you’re cold water diving, please in luck! We have world class diving right You can sign up for as many dives as you take a moment to complete here in our own backyard at the Pt Lobos like and reserving your spot now ensures this survey: State Reserve just south of Monterey. If that you won't miss out. We often have a you've never been to Pt Lobos, you'll be waiting list for cancellations so avoid the • www.surveymonkey.com/ delighted by the pure beauty that waits for rush and reserve your spot now! s.asp?u=47135827503 you under the water. The Pt Lobos web • February 20 (10 spots left) site http://pt-obos.parks.state.ca.us/ scuba/scuba.shtml has tons of informa- • March 19 tion about dive sites and what you can • April 16 expect to see. • May 14 If you have never tried cold water diving this is an excellent opportunity to do so • June 11 with other NCRD divers! • July 16 The reserve, located three miles south of • August 20 Carmel, offers picnic tables, restrooms, a • September 17 fresh water rinse hose, and a boat ramp for easy entries and exits. $7.00 covers the • October 15 cost of the Point Lobos dive reservations. • November 19 The group is limited to 12 divers, so re- • December 17

How often do you see a Hermissenda on a rock fish?!? Just one of the possibilities at Pt. Lobos. Photo by Brenda Kessler Page 4 February 2005 Diving for Life Presentations by Doug McGrath This past October, 25 members of NCRD DFL was started in 1992 as an AIDS fund- once—it can make a big dif- joined nearly 100 other divers in Fiji for raising event, and has since broadened the ference in the ability of the Diving for Life. This gay and lesbian scuba scope of charities it supports to include recipients to serve their com- jamboree brings divers together from all any health-related charity with a focus on munities. over the world for a week of great diving the GLBTT community. and camaraderie. During the week, there Here’s How It Works are a series of fund-raisers including raf- It’s Up To You! • Members contact eligible fles of donated equipment, trips, and so One of the best parts of this process is that health-related charities serv- on; the total amount raised is apportioned our members get to choose the charities ing the GLBTT community. that apply and then select the recipients to the clubs according to the percentage of • If a charity is interested, the attendees coming from each club. DFL from the applicants. Many of our mem- nominating NCRD member raised $46,000 this year; NCRD’s portion bers have connections to the non-profit should contact me by is $11,616, which we will donate to one or community, so please work your connec- March 10 to get on the more local charities at our March meeting. tions. This is a lot of money for many or- meeting agenda. ganizations to receive, and even if the • At the March 19 meeting, award is split—which has been done each charity makes a five- minute presentation de- scribing what they do and how they would use the funds. • After the presentations, the charities are excused and the NCRD members present at the meeting choose one or more recipients and award amounts. • The selected recipients will be notified and must provide DFL with appropriate documentation (tax exempt letter, etc.). • DFL will send the funds di- rectly to the recipients. • At our May meeting, we DFL has just finalized the contract for DFL 2005. It will be held at Cap- will have a public presenta- tain John’s Habitat in Curacao, Dutch Antilles, September 10-17. This is the tion award. second DFL at this resort in Curacao, with the first one in 2000 having been • Remember: only 501(c)3 such a popular success. Application packages are expected to be available in charities are eligible, and late February. Start planning your vacation schedules! More information and they must provide health- application packets will be available in future NCRD communication and on the related services to the GLBTT community. • Direct questions to Doug NCRD’s Sharon Ponder and “schoolmates” as Nemos for the DFL 2004 Halloween Party, McGrath at president@ organized by Steve Graham and Patti Davidson. The Nemos took Grand Prize for their rainbowdivers.org. costumes. Photo by Patti Davidson. February 2005 Page 5 Don’t Let Your NCRD Membership Expire! by Jack Johnson, Membership Coordinator Some of you will be receiving a note from zumel, Alaska, the Galapagos, the Sea of money for organizations in me about your membership expiration. Cortez, the Turks and Caicos, British Co- the gay community. Our membership is for a one year period lumbia, Roatan, and the Dominican Re- • Classes and Instructors: All- and expires every January or July depend- public. You do get to participate in unfor- gay and lesbian basic ing upon what time of the year member- gettable adventures such as our Great scuba certification classes ship is/was paid. Some memberships will White Shark Encounter, our North Coast with instructors and dive- have expired in January, 2005 but due to Abalone Dive weekends, and our annual masters who are club mem- late notice, we’ve extended this until Feb- trip to the Channel Islands aboard the bers, as well as advanced ruary 28, 2005. Vision. certification classes, first We are working hard again for 2005 to And you do get to take advantage of the aid/CPR classes, and rusty diver refresher classes. bring additional value, members and great classes offered by our NCRD-affiliated dive trips and experiences to our members instructors. • Interactive Meetings: Our and ensure that you have a great time, monthly meetings in San 2005 is going to be another great year and make new dive friends and benefit from Francisco and the surround- we’re really excited about encouraging being a part of this organization. We ing area are fun social more members to join us at our interac- really want to continue having you as part events and often feature tive meetings, trips and to share your own of our membership. guest speakers on under- ideas and experiences to make this an water photography, dive Northern California Rainbow Divers of- even better organization safety, marine biology, fers three types of membership: So in a nutshell, we sponsor a wide range advances in dive equipment, and much more. • Individual: $35/year of diving activities for our members: • Links, Associations & Infor- • Domestic Partners: $55/year For domes- • Monterey Diving: Day trips for shore and mation about other Clubs: tic partners sharing the same address. boat diving at the best spots in Monterey We stay in contact with Each partner must fill out a separate Bay, Carmel Bay, and Big Sur, every most of the gay and lesbian form. month. dive clubs around the • Newsletter only: $20/year For those • Channel Islands Diving: Long-weekend world and also encourage living more than $150 miles from San trips once or twice per year for livea- and participate in mutual Francisco who wish to stay in touch. board boat diving in southern Califor- dive trips. nia's Channel Islands. To join NCRD, go to the Join page on our Opportunity to Connect web site (www.rainbowdivers.org) and • Tropical Diving: One- to two-week trips download the membership form. Fill it out to warm-water dive locations such as with Local Divers Like and mail it to the address on the form to Roatan, Cozumel, Hawaii, Belize, Saba, Yourself! renew your membership in the greatest and the Turks and Caicos Islands. We If you have any questions dive club in the world. also participate in Diving for Life, an about membership, or about annual scuba jamboree in an exotic lo- the club in general, feel free Why Should I Continue My cation with other gay dive clubs from the to drop me a line at member- Membership or JOIN? U.S., Canada, and Europe that raises [email protected]. I'll You may know or have heard what makes do my best to clue you in. NCRD so great: the friendly people, the amazing trips, the non-stop fun and ex- From the Sydney Underwater Buddies (SUBS) citement, the free pony rides on your Mardi Gras Season rapidly approaches us here in Sydney, Australia. The birthday. Okay, so you don’t get the pony. weather remains hot and the visibility great. SUBS has a few events that we But you do get monthly boat and shore would like to let you know about. Anyone traveling in the area is welcome dives in Monterey. You do get fantastic to come along, whether to just say “hi” or to participate. For more informa- deals on trips to places such as Saba, Co- tion, see our web site at www.gaydive.org.au. Page 6 February 2005 Manta Encounters and More at Socorro Island! Plus optional underwater photography workshop with Andrew Sallmon April 23-May 1, 2005

• $2900 per person, double occupancy the perfect place for unwinding after a day of diving, and an onboard marine natural- • $250 additional per person for Execu- ist adds a bit of education to our time at tive Stateroom spots sea. • $200 for digital photography workshop This 8-day extended trip is ideal for divers Situated 220 nautical miles southwest of who want to take pictures, hang out with Cabo San Lucas in the Sea of Cortez, the big sea creatures, or just float silently in islands of the Revillagigedos Archipelago the deep. It has something for everyone, The giant mantas are friendly are often referred to as the “Little Galapa- and it’s an experience you will never for- at Socorro Island! gos” because of their similarity to their get. So pack your gear and get ready to more remote cousins. The rugged, largely splash into the blue. Space on this trip is limited uninhabited islands are home to many to 20 divers, so register early The trip cost of $2900 includes: fascinating creatures, including hammer- to guarantee yourself a spot. head, whitetip, silky, and Galapagos • Round-trip airfare from SFO A deposit of $500 is re- sharks, eels, octopus, and scorpionfish. quired, with full payment • Accommodations The real stars of the show, however, are due by January 15, 2005. the giant manta rays that call the islands • Meals Please note that the non- home. These gentle animals will actually • Diving. diver rate is the same as the seek out encounters with divers, and the diver rate. waters around Socorro Island is one of the Not included are Nitrox fills, crew gratu- best places in the world for manta en- ity, and anything bought from the boat This trip is a joint trip with counters. Whale sharks are also known to (including alcoholic drinks). Dive Dog Adventures. As of this writing, we need four frequent the area. In addition to diving, we are also pleased more participants: We’re fortunate to have secured the best to offer a digital photography workshop week of the season for our 8-day visit to with renowned underwater photographer • 1 who will share an Execu- Socorro Island. The weather should be Andrew Sallmon (www.seait.com). For tive Stateroom with a calm and the seas warm, creating perfect only $200, you will receive daily discus- male NCRD member diving conditions in which to explore this sions of photo techniques, evening slide • 1 who will share a Stan- beautiful, untouched Eden. Best of all, shows, and one-on-one help from Andy. dard Stateroom with a fe- we'll be on one of the nicest liveaboards male NCRD member you'll ever encounter, the 116" Nautilus • 2 who will share with each Explorer. other

The very comfort- For more information re- able Nautilus Ex- garding the trip, please con- plorer, complete tact coordinator Doug with hot tub and McGrath at 408-515-7160 or every episode of via e-mail at so- Sea Hunt. [email protected].

Cabins (double occupancy) on the Nauti- lus are roomy and comfortable, and each has its own bathroom and shower. The rest of the boat is just as nice, with an in- viting lounge area and spacious dining facilities. The hot tub on the upper deck is February 2005 Page 7

Northern California About the Joint Meetings Rainbow Divers Upcoming Meetings with Kelptomaniacs 548 Castro Street, #478 General Meeting San Francisco, CA 94114 Mike Ford, our former pro- www.rainbowdivers.org Wednesday, February 9, 7:00 PM grams director, also works at President, Doug McGrath Wallin’s Dive Center Wallins Dive Center in San [email protected] Our next general meeting is the first of our Carlos. Mike has invited NCRD to hold some joint Treasurer, Hoa Tran joint meetings with the Kelptomaniacs at meetings with Kelptomani- [email protected] Wallin’s Dive Center in San Carlos. The guest speaker is Geoff Bahr, the Volunteer acs, and we’re trying it ex- Secretary, Dennis Nix Dive Team Coordinator for the San Mateo perimentally for the Febru- [email protected] County Sheriff’s Office. ary, April, and June meet- Program Chair, open ings. Location [email protected] Please note that NCRD is not Wallins is in San Carlos next to Hwy. 101: Dive Planner, Clark Burton endorsing Wallins’ over any [email protected] 1119 Industrial Rd. #7 other dive shop; this is sim- ply a practical way to solve Trip Planner, open San Carlos, CA 94070 the very significant problem [email protected] www.wallins.com of finding interesting speak- See the Wallins web site for maps and di- Membership, Jack Johnson ers and topics for monthly rections. [email protected] meetings. For our often- Newsletter Editor, Doug McGrath Future General Meetings neglected members outside San Francisco, the joint [email protected] • Thursday, March 17 meetings at Wallins are sig- Dive Classes Coordinator, open Diving for Life Presentations nificantly closer to home, [email protected] The LGBT Center and we hope to see more Webmaster, Doug McGrath • Monday, April 11 faces from the South and [email protected] New Gear Night East Bay communities. Joe Geiss of ScubaPro Diving for Life Liaison, Steve Graham Wallin’s Dive Center Board Meetings [email protected] • Thursday, May 19 The next board meeting will Club Policies Program TBD be Thursday, February 10 at Board meetings are held once a month and are The LGBT Center Dennis Nix’s home at 7:30 open to any member in good standing. If inter- PM. Please e-mail him at • Thursday, June 9 ested in attending, please contact any of the treas- board members listed above for location. Mem- Kathy Brandt [email protected] for bership dues are $35/year, $55/year for do- Mystery Writer mestic partners at the same address, and Wallin’s Dive Center address and directions. $20/year for newsletter only subscription (available to addresses more than 150 miles from San Francisco Bay Area). Advertising is available. Rates are $7/month to club members for a business card-size non-changing ad. It is $10/month for non-club members to advertise. Out on the Web—Links of Interest If you are interested in advertising, please contact the editor. Club policy regarding money • Jim McDermott’s Galapagos video: paid for club sponsored dives: unless otherwise homepage.mac.com/uwphoto/iMovieTheater38.html noted, all monies are non-refundable. NCRD does not warrant, recommend or guarantee the • Diving For Life: products or services contained in advertise- www.divingforlife.org ments in this newsletter. • Pt. Lobos: Northern California Rainbow Divers, Inc. is a pt-obos.parks.state.ca.us/scuba/scuba.shtml California non-profit mutual benefit corporation.