April 2026 Current Bubbles
President’s Message
By: Owen Autry
Dear Dolphin Divers of Sacramento, April 2026
As spring settles into Northern California, Easter 2026 arrives on Sunday, April 5, bringing with it the familiar sense of renewal that divers know so well. Just as the seasons shift on land, the underwater world begins its own quiet transformation — clearer waters, returning marine life, and the promise of new adventures ahead.
For many, Easter is a time to gather with family and friends, enjoy a good meal, and celebrate traditions that have been passed down for generations. Whether it’s a sunrise service, a backyard egg hunt, or simply taking a peaceful walk outdoors, the holiday offers a welcome pause from our busy routines.
Here in the Dolphin Divers community, Easter also reminds us of the spirit that keeps our club thriving: connection, curiosity, and the joy of exploring together. Spring marks the start of prime diving season, and with warmer days ahead, it’s the perfect moment to look forward to upcoming club events, local dives, and time spent with fellow members.
No matter how you celebrate, may this Easter bring you a sense of renewal, a bit of adventure, and plenty of reasons to smile — both on land and underwater.
From all of us at Dolphin Divers of Sacramento…Happy Easter!
Thank you to everyone who has reached out with interest in being on the Board. We now have all positions filled, except Activity Chair. Although increasingly difficult to fill, the board is committed to supporting anyone willing to take on this role. The Activity Chair oversees the club’s calendar of events and works with members to coordinate activities. If you’re interested or would like more information, please contact me at ocautry@gmail.com or text 916-955-9105.
Your involvement truly makes a difference, and I appreciate every one of you.
Our next Dolphin Divers of Sacramento General Meeting will be held in person on Wednesday, April 15th, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Mountain Mike’s Pizza, located at 2220 Gold Springs Court, Gold River, CA. Their phone number is 916-917-5511, and you’re welcome to order ahead through their app or website:
https://www.mountainmikespizza.com/locations/gold-river-gold-springs
Warm regards,
Owen Autry
President, 2025–2026
QUOTES (THIS TIME NOTES) FROM THE SEA
“Most Dive Issues Start Before the Dive”
Experienced divers know that problems rarely begin underwater, they start during setup. A rushed buddy check, skipped gear inspection, or unclear dive plan creates 90% of avoidable issues.
Takeaway: Slow down on the surface to speed up your safety underwater.
“Buoyancy Is More About Breathing Than BCD”
New divers tend to overuse their BCD, but experianced divers control buoyancy primarily with their breath.
Small inhale = rise, slow exhale = sink.
Takeaway: Master your breathing, and your air consumption and control will improve instantly.
“The Ocean Rewards Stillness”
The more you move, the more marine life disappears. The calmer and more controlled you are, the more the ocean “comes alive” around you.
Takeaway: Want better wildlife encounters? Move slower than you think you should.
“Bottom Time Is Earned Through Efficiency”
Air consumption isn’t just about lung size, it’s about movement, trim, and mental calm. Efficient divers often stay down significantly longer on the same tank.
Takeaway: Better technique = longer dives, not just bigger tanks.
“Situational Awareness Is the Real Advanced Skill”
Knowing your depth, time, direction, buddy position, and environment at all times separates average divers from great ones.
Takeaway: Don’t just dive, constantly scan and process what’s happening around you.
Please send in your favorite “Quotes from the Sea” if you have not already seen them here. I am always looking for more.
APRIL GENERAL MEETING
Board Vote & Free Pizza
So this month at our general meeting we will be voting for our new board members. Here is the proposed list to be voted on.
Please come out and enjoy some free pizza and make your vote.
PROPOSED BOARD
PRESIDENT: Douglas Hillblom
VICE PRESIDENT: Ed Hurff
TREASURER: Owen Autry
SECRETARY: Corinne Fuerst
MEMBER AT LARGE: Marlyn Sepulveda
MEMBER AT LARGE: David Whiteside
MEMBER AT LARGE: Chris Matthew
MEMBER AT LARGE: Sally Walters
MEMBER AT LARGE: Jason Moore
ALTERNATE MEMBER AT LARGE: Paul Rees
ALTERNATE MEMBER AT LARGE: Ken Anderson
ACTIVITY CHAIR: Open – (Brad Freelove)
SAFETY OFFICER: Brad Freelove
PROMOTIONS CHAIR: Tracy Clarke
Historian – Jack Dillard
Webmistress – Renee Viehmann
Newsletter Editor – Joe Morgan
Safety Officer’s Message
By: Brad Freelove
Plastic v. Metal for My Diving Equipment
A club member made comments that more and more diving equipment is being made of plastic instead of metal. Aluminum, stainless steel, brass, and some form of plastic, silicon, and neoprene have been used in the diving industry forever. Your dive mask and snorkel is probably made of a combination of plastic and silicon. You might have a stainless screw in the mix. Your BCD is comprised mainly of plastic, some cloth, and a few metal parts. I doubt that your wetsuit has any metal parts. They used to but not anymore. Your regulator is comprised of metal, plastics, and silicon. Look at your diving equipment and I bet that over 95 percent of it is made of materials other than metal.
Plastics (including silicon) are easier to maintain, weigh less than metal and cost less to make than a metal equivalent. But plastic cannot take the abuse that metal can survive. I have some snap hooks that I have been using for almost 50 years. They are made of brass and came from Italy. I have a few aluminum carabiners that are almost 30 years old. Both metals have been very dependable and have required only minor maintenance. Drop a tank on a metal buckle and it might bend it a bit, but you can straighten it out and move on with your dive. A plastic buckle will probably break into a couple pieces. No amount of glue is going to make it work again.
There are pros and cons to both metals and plastics. Cost, weight, reliability, life span, and maintenance are factors that I always investigate when I am purchasing something new. My aluminum carabiners (the good ones) would cost about $60 each to replace. Or you can go to Harbor Freight and pick up a dozen aluminum carabiners for $4. There are various qualities of both metal and plastics. Don’t be afraid to get something made of plastic if the quality looks good. Don’t depend on a $1 carabiner to function after a couple dives.
CLUB NIGHT DIVE
Saturday April 25th at Folsom Point, there will be a club twilight dive. Divers will enter the water at 7:30 pm and exit around 8:15 pm. The park closes at 9 pm so we need to be out of the park by then. The trout and bass become very active starting around 7 pm. Same for the crawdads.
You will need a light for the dive. If you have never done a night dive, come on out and give it a try. Let BRAD FREELOVE (bradlinda@frontiernet.net) know if you are interested in this dive and I will put you on the list.
Albion River Campout
Member News
APRIL BIRTHDAYS:
Raul Valencia 4/5
David Ford 4/7
Brad Freelove 4/7
Clary Tepper 4/12
Fred Knoles 4/17
Gail Liu 4/19
Dennis Catchalian 4/23
David Zinn 4/27
Ed Hurff 4/28
Renard Arsenault 4/30
New Members:
Angel Verdugo
Christopher Shih
Lilianna Clark
Are you interested in becoming a Dolphin Divers of Sacramento member?
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
MEMBER YARD SALE
2018 SCUBAPRO GLIDE BC FOR SALE
$300
Used less than 10 times. Almost new condition. Includes Scubapro Air 2
inflator/second stage and Scubapro dive knife.
Contact: Ken Takata (916) 599-5270, kennethktakata@gmail.com
The following links give reviews of the BC:
https://www.google.com/search?q=scubapro+glide+bcd+review&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS876US876&oq=scubapro+glide+bcd+review&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyCQgAEEUYORiABDIICAEQABgWGB4yCAgCEAAYFhgeMg0IAxAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMg0IBBAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMg0IBRAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMg0IBhAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMgoIBxAAGIAEGKIEMgoICBAAGKIEGIkFMgoICRAAGKIEGIkF0gEKMTIwMzZqMGoxNagCCLACAfEFX8r2-VKMIiM&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:b4a592c8,vid:U05sGYggTn4,st:0
Past Trips Photo Section
THESE ALL CAME IN FROM OWEN, AND ARE FROM A PAST TRIP TO HAWAII…
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
| Apr 15, 2026 | General Meeting | Mountain Mike’s | Owen Autry President | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com | https://www.mountainmikespizza.com/locations/gold-river-gold-springs/ |
| Apr 25, 2026 | Night Dive | Folsom Lake | Brad Freelove | (916) 879-3853 bradlinda@frontiernet.net |
| May 7, 2025 | DDS – Board Meeting | Corinne Fuerst | Owen Autry | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com |
| May 21, 2025 | DDS General Meeting | Mountain Mike’s | Owen Autry | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com |
| May 31, 2025 | UW Poker Run | Folsom Point | Brad Freelove | (916) 879-3853 bradlinda@frontiernet.com |
| June 4, 2025 | DDS – Board Meeting | Doug Hillblom | Owen Autry | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com |
| June 18, 2025 | DDS General Meeting | Mountain Mike’s | Owen Autry | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com |
| July 2, 2025 | DDS – Board Meeting | Dave Whiteside ‘s | Owen Autry | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com |
| July 13, 2025 | River Clean up | American River | Brad Freelove | (916) 879-3853 bradlinda@frontiernet.com |
| July 16, 2025 | Picnic in The Park | Fair Oaks Park | Owen Autry | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com |
| August 6, 2025 | DDS – Board Meeting | Brad Freelove’s | Owen Autry | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com |
| August 10th 2025 | Lake Natomas Dive | Nimbus Flat State Recreation Area | Brad Freelove | (916) 879-3853 bradlinda@frontiernet.com |
| August 20, 2025 | DDS – General Meeting | Mountain Mike’s | Owen Autry | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com |
| Sept 4 to Sept. 7, 2025 | Annual Ocean Cove Camping Trip Spearfishing Contest Rod and Reel Contest And Much More!! | Ocean Cove Group Campsights 2 & 3 |
JUST LAUGH
DOLPHIN
SUMMER PICNIC
AUG 8th
DOLPHIN SUMMER PICNIC
Saturday, AUGUST 8TH, 2026
Enjoy A Fun Day with your Dolphin and Seahorse dive club buddies.
Activities available include: Altitude Diving (5,840’), Kayaking, Swimming, Windsurfing, Fishing, or just Relaxing at:
PG&E’s: BEAUTIFUL LAKE VALLEY RESERVOIR,
Beautiful Clear Lake Valley Reservoir is nestled in the Sierra Mountains off the Yuba Gap Exit 160, on I-80 for day use. It is approximately an HOUR AND 20 MINUTES from Roseville CA.
Enjoy a full day of picnicking with lots of water activities for the entire family. There is a boat ramp for boats and kayaks. Boats are limited to a 10 MPH limit on a trolling electric motor. There are two good sized islands on the lake to be explored.
This will be a POT LUCK. Club will provide Hot dogs, Hamburgers, and condiments So please bring a dish to share with utensil to serve, and a chair plus a $5.00 donation for picnic. There is a $5.00 cash parking fee and a $10 boat launching fee. No fee for Kayaks or Canoes.
Divers plan on briefing at 9:00 am. It is a clear 2 mile long mountain lake with a sandy, rocky bottom with some tree stumps. It is a mountain lake, so usually very calm in the morning and can be windy in the afternoon. At the picnic area there is a beach area for swimming. Because it is an altitude dive you should NOT plan on driving higher towards the Tahoe Area until a day after diving.
For those of you that are interested in camping, there is an adjacent campground named Lodgepole Campground. Reservations are though PG&E/Camping website: https://recreation.pge.com/reservation/camping/ Reservations open up April 14 for full weeks, April 21 for 2 days and there are a few 1st come/1st serve spaces, or try your luck at a 1st come first served site.
Questions — Cap’n Jack Millard at jbmillard@aol.com 916.955.8017
Watch the group emails and newsletter for future updates
Directions to Lake Valley Reservoir (Silvertip Picnic Area) from Sacramento Valley
* Location: Off interstate 80 east take exit ramp 160 (Yuba Gap exit}
*From Exit: Turn right at the top of the ramp. Then a quick left on Crystal Lake Road.
*Road Changes: When you come to a “Y” veer right, at the sign for Lake Valley Reservoir/Lake Valley Road. Travel approximately 1 ½ miles. Look for a sign on your left for Lake Valley Reservoir. Turn left there. This becomes a rough road. Go very slow. Go under a mile and look for yellow sign on right that states lake. Turn right and it goes into the Silvertip Picnic Area /Lake Valley Parking Area.
*Pay: $5:00 cash parking fee and place receipt on dash.
EDITOR’S NOTE
By: Joe Morgan
I AM LOOKING FOR MEMBERS TO SEND IN PICTURES OF DIVING, DIVING VACATIONS ETC.
- Trip Reviews: Let us know where you have been diving, what operator you used, the hotel you stayed at and how was the diving there. Let us know if the operator was safe and fun. Let us know if the hotel was a good deal, give us as much detail as possible and hopefully more Dolphin Divers will venture there in the future.
- Recipes: I was told that in the past Dolphin Divers gave each other SEAFOOD recipes that they loved so that everyone could enjoy the bounty of the sea, I hope to continue that each month with at least one good recipe.
- Dive and Camping yard-sale items you wish to include in the newsletter.
- Dive Activities: Please let me know if there are any dive-related activities you would like included in the newsletter.
- Pictures from your last dive. Please make sure to let me know how you would like the picture credited in the newsletter. -example – Picture by John Member, of a Silky Shark, at Roca Partida Mexico.
PLEASE MAIL ALL SUBMISSIONS TO
Editor@dolphindivers.org
DOLPHIN DIVERS OF SACRAMENTO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Owen Autry – President
Ken Takata – Vice President
Marlyn Sepulveda – Treasure
Corinne Fuerst – Secretary
Douglas Hillblom – Events Chair
Brad Freelove – Safety Officer
Renee Viehmann – Webmaster
Jack Millard – Historian
Joe Morgan – Editor
Tracy Clarke – Promotions
Dave Whiteside – Member at Large
Tom Mischley – Member at Large
Sally Walters – Member at Large
Ed Hurff – Member at Large
Chris Matthews – Member at Large
