August 2020 Current Bubbles Newsletter

August 5, 2020 7:00
Board Meeting @ Live via Zoom Conferencing
August 19, 2020 TBD
General Meeting @ Round Table Pizza 9500 Greenback Lane, Folsom, CA
August 7-10, 2020
Memorial Day (rescheduled) @Albion River Campground
September 5-7, 2020
Labor Day Camping Ocean Cove
September 26, 2020 TBD
Great American River Clean-up (GARCU)

1-Aug Renee Viehmann
2-Aug Steve Gibson
4-Aug Linda Freelove
5-Aug Mindy Anderson
7-Aug Jessica Newham
9-Aug Chris Anthon
11-Aug Colt Little
12-Aug Andi Dinn
12-Aug Lalaynia Little
12-Aug Axel Sauter
15-Aug Cayle Little
15-Aug Matt Stemple
20-Aug Andy Rupert
20-Aug Brett Rupert
27-Aug Alan Couch
27-Aug Matt Cottrell

Are you interested in becoming a Dolphin Divers of Sacramento member? Check out our Membership page for more information and to complete your application.
https://www.dolphindivers.org/membership/

Message from the President – Owen Autry

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Dear Dolphin Divers of Sacramento,

Here we are again trying to survive the COVID-19 pandemic and manage our day to day lives. We have a truly diverse group of divers and non-divers, and all of you are hanging in there with work, coworkers, family, and friends surviving our new lifestyle.

Well, I have great news, the Dive Resorts are beginning to open, the Dive Shops are selling gear, and we at Dolphin divers of Sacramento are hard at work keeping the club running and planning new trips! Unfortunately, the Channel island trip was cancelled, but it has been rescheduled for next year (2021) and we are sure to fill the boat. If you would like to go, please contact Jack Millard at JBMillard@aol.com to sign up and hold your space.

Check your emails from the club on up coming events and check out our website for the latest information. August 7th – 9th, Ken Takata is hosting the rescheduled Memorial Day Camping and diving trip at Albion River Campground, and last I heard it is still a go. To reach Ken for more information, his email is kennethktakata@gmail.com. September 5th – 7th, Bob and Kim Taylor will again be hosting the Ocean Cove Labor Day weekend camping trip, so look for upcoming emails with the latest information. This event will be over the Labor Day weekend; however, you can come early and stay later if your schedule allows. Last year was my first time going on this camping trip and I enjoyed every minute by the ocean, in the ocean, and with our club family. These events kindle new relationships and build old ones to make it a great weekend trip with the club.

As for club meetings and board meetings, they are on a standby-and-wait on whether we can meet in person or meet on a Zoom call for the board. We will keep you up to date with emails and postings on our web site https://www.dolphindivers.org as new information becomes available. I am looking forward to the day that we can all meet again face to face to share stories and plan our next dive trip.

Bubbles up!!
Owen Autry
President, Greatest Dive Club Ever!!

We want to hear from you! Do you have something to share? A favorite dive site or story? Do you have a video slideshow or movie of a recent trip? Send it to me and I can share it with other members via our monthly newsletter. YouTube videos embed nicely into this new newsletter format.

Thanks for the continued opportunity to serve you. I hope you like it!!
-Renee

Due to COVID-19, All events and meetings in July were cancelled or postponed. Stay tuned for updates regarding August meetings and events.

–Dolphin Divers of Sacramento Presents-
Labor Day Weekend at Ocean Cove, CA

Dolphin Divers has two large group sites reserved for the Labor Day weekend. Ocean Cove Campground is the place. We have been hosting this event at this location for over two decades. Somewhat rustic, the group sites have will have room for tent as well as RV camping. Porta potty’s will be available. Picnic tables, fire pits, and running water are also at each group site. Bob and Kim Taylor are leading the event. They have led the event many times and know how to throw a party. Yes, there will be some restrictions due to our on-going COVID-19 issue, but we should have room to spread out and enjoy a few days of relaxing, fishing and DIVING!

Bob will send out more information very soon so watch your email for applications and other necessary stuff. You can check out https://www.oceancove.org/ for a look at the campground.

Memorial Day Camping & Diving RESCHEDULED
Albion River Campground
August 7th-9th, 2020
Event organized by Ken Takata

As of today (7/25/20), the event will be held. Additional restrictions mandated by Mendocino County and the State of California will still allow us to have our event, but with some restrictions. Please visit the campground’s website to view their COVID 19 Update and Covid 19 Guest Agreement. http://albionrivercampground.com/. Here’s what their COVID restrictions require:

“The following will be in effect until FURTHER NOTICE from Mendocino County public health:

The number of campsites we can rent on any day is limited to 75% of our capacity.
Campers on one site must be part of the same family/living unit with a maximum of 6 people.
No Group Camping unless the group consist of family.
No events/activities where groups larger than 6 might gather.
Each campsite must limit the number of visits so that no more than 6 people will be on a site at one time and social distancing / mask protocol must be maintained.
*Playground is closed
Upon Check-in Campers will be required to sign an agreement to follow the Mendocino County and Albion River Campground Covid-19 social distancing protocols and hold Albion River Campground harmless should they become infected with the virus.”

The campground will allow individuals within a “Social Bubble” to share a campsite. Persons that you have already been in regular contact with are included in your “Social Bubble”. We will not be able to conduct our usual potluck dinners and campfires will have to be limited to 6 socially distanced persons wearing masks. We must wear a mask in indoor spaces (bathrooms). We cannot “circle our rigs” and must parallel park our trailers. If you are unable follow these rules, please do not attend. If you are ill with symptoms of COVID 19 do not attend.

The campground still has campsite vacancies during our event. If you are interested in joining us call the campground to make a reservation and state that you are with the Dolphin Divers of Sacramento. If you have not already done so, please let me know that you will be joining us. Those of you who are considering visiting or diving at Van Damme State Park, should check with the park to verify that the beach is open, and parking is allowed.

Restrictions may change depending on the course of the pandemic. I will do my best to keep you informed.

KEN TAKATA kennethktakata@gmail.com

Boat vs Diver. Can’t we all just get along?

As a Certified Scuba Diver, you have had many hours of training with and a lot of emphasis on safety. You are trained in your first Open Water class that if you follow the rules you have a long career of safe and enjoyable diving. However not all Boating/Jet ski operators follow the same safety guidelines. Most don’t even know the rules. If divers and boaters share the same water ways, we all need to follow some simple rules and try to avoid dangerous scenarios, we can all stay safe.

Planning ahead: Always better than just taking off with no regard to the possibilities of experiencing problems. When you are planning a dive sometimes earlier is better. Not only can you get the best parking spot, but you can sometimes avoid boats all together. You must plan your dive to avoid obviously dangerous areas like live boat launches and high traffic areas. If you are crossing a high traffic area, make sure to have an exit plan in case you hear a boat above.

Signaling devices: One of the most important tools to a diver’s survival. They range in their abilities to signal, cost, and ease of use. It is imperative to consider having one visual and one audible signaling device SERIOUSLY, because your life may depend on it. What works on the lake or calm seas may be useless in stronger conditions. Some signaling device examples may include Whistle, Mirror, Surface Marker Buoy, Strobe, Light Sticks etc.. The point is, If you have to surface for any reason you want to increase the chances of being heard and or seen when you need to be.

Dive Float and Flag: Every time you dive you must let others know you’re underwater. The use of a dive flag is imperative for safety. If you are diving with a float, make sure to surface within 100 FEET and if you are a boater you must stay 300 FEET in open water. However, there are about 20% of the people operating a boat/ jet ski that know that. As some of you may already know. It is up to us to stay safe regardless of the situation. There is no law in California that mandates divers to use a flag; it is simply good practice. If you are diving on the Nevada side of Tahoe it is mandated by law and they will fine you for not having one.

Wherever you dive please watch out for others they may not be following the rules or may not know the rules. It is your responsibility as a Certified diver to call a dive at any point if it gets unsafe for any reason.

Watch out and be safe.

**Purple-hinge Rock Scallop** – Submitted by Brad Freelove

From Alaska to Mexico in water depth of up to 200 ft., the purple-hinge rock scallop finds its home attached to rocks, concrete objects, and even on the backs of abalone. The novice scallop hunter needs to train their eyes to find these critters as they can look just like the rock’s they attach themselves to. Once you figure out what they look like when they open up their shell, the fun begins! As the scallop does not swim away, you can observe them quite easily. If you are looking for a quick underwater snack, go for it.

Some divers will open the shell, scoop out the muscle, clean off all the non-edible stuff and have a taste of fresh scallop. Most collectors prefer to take them home and eat them in a more civilized manner.

If you plan on harvesting them, please know your Fish and Wildlife regulations regarding collection methods and quantities, you can bring home.

Scallops start as male or female, but practice hermaphroditism at times. When the little scallops come
into the world, they float around in the water until they reach a size of around 1/16 of an inch. Spawning takes place once or twice a year, depending upon location and other factors. When they reach the proper size, they sink to the bottom and attach themselves to a good, solid home. They begin to suck in water and consume phytoplankton….and grow. Lots of ocean critters would eat them if they got the chance but the scallop likes to close its shell and wait out any predators. Divers can use a couple methods to harvest dinner. I suggest that you tag along on a dive with someone that has done this before and check out what to look for and how to them bring them home for dinner.

Currently, there is no commercial harvesting allowed so sport divers and otters are the scallops main concern. There are scallop farms along the coast providing a source of scallops for anyone not interested in collecting their own. Once the shells have been cleaned, they can be used as decorations, soap dishes, or show-and-tell items.

Hope you all enjoy your next dive and have a great summer.

*Have a favorite seafood or abalone recipe? Submit your recipe (and a photo would be great) to the newsletter editor for inclusion in a future newsletters.*

Did you like a previously submitted recipe? Tell us what you thought!

The purpose of this column is to share the experiences and opinions of your fellow divers on dive equipment. Your board believed that this information might help you make informed decisions on your next equipment acquisition. Be aware that this review is only a personal opinion and that all divers vary in their physical size, type of diving activities, experience, abilities, and personal preferences.

If you have recommendations for equipment, please share them by submitting a “GEAR REVIEW” article in the Bubbles. If your experience differs from a reviewer’s, please share that too. Other perspectives can give us a better view of what will or won’t work for us.

NEW!!! ONLINE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION! Dolphin Divers of Sacramento has jumped into the 21st Century! We now have a way for you to complete your membership renewal or new membership application online! Not only that, once you have completed the application, you will be directed to a page where you can pay by credit card Square. For those who are still “old school” and prefer the paper format and payment by cash or check, we’ve got you covered! You can download your application from the same page and either mail it in or bring to an upcoming meeting (whenever they resume).

Ready to complete your 2020-2021 renewal online?? Click HERE.

IT’S ALL FUN AND GAMES! submitted by Marlyn Sepulveda
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