November 2025 Current Bubbles
President’s Message
By: Owen Autry
Dear Dolphin Divers of Sacramento,
November 1, 2025
I hope you’re all enjoying the beginning of November and the refreshing shift into fall. The cooler mornings
have been a welcome change, even though the afternoons are still holding on to a bit of warmth. Halloween was
a little warmer than we expected this year, but it was wonderful to see all the creative costumes and smiling
faces at the various events and gatherings.
As we move deeper into the season, the vibrant autumn colors are finally beginning to show, reminding us why
this is one of the most beautiful times of the year. The changing leaves, crisp air, and cozy evenings make it a
perfect time to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the simple joys around us.
With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, I hope each of you finds time to relax, enjoy good company, and
reflect on the many blessings in your life. Whether you’re traveling, hosting family, or enjoying a quiet day at
home, I wish you a holiday filled with peace, gratitude, and happiness.
Thank you all for being part of this incredible community. Your friendship, support, and shared love of diving
make our group truly special. I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events and hearing about your latest
adventures—both above and below the surface.
Wishing you all a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving season.
The Underwater Pumpkin Carving Event on October 19th – was a blast! The pumpkin carvers were out and
had a great time. If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at carving a pumpkin underwater, put it on your
2026 October calendar as we do it every year about the same time.
We had a fun campout at Albion River Campground and Marina in Albion, California the weekend of October
10th through 13th. It’s a beautiful spot and was a great opportunity to enjoy the coast, connect with fellow
divers, and relax in nature.
Albion is a small, peaceful community on Northern California’s Mendocino Coast, known for its stunning
natural beauty, rich history, and laid-back lifestyle. Nestled among redwoods and cliffs overlooking the Pacific,
it lies along scenic Highway 1, and is home to the historic wooden Albion River Bridge.
Originally inhabited by the Pomo people, Albion was established in the 1850s and grew with the logging
industry. Today, it’s a haven for artists, retirees, and nature lovers, offering outdoor activities like hiking,
kayaking, and whale watching. Despite its small size, Albion has a tight-knit community, a strong connection to
the environment, and a culture rooted in sustainability and the arts.
Our next Dolphin Club General Meeting will be held in-person on Wednesday, November 19th , 2025, from
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Mountain Mike’s Pizza located at 2220 Gold Springs Ct, Gold River, CA.
Owen Autry, President 2025-2026
Safety Officer’s Message
By: Brad Freelove
Zip Ties and Bungee Cord
Zip tie, cable tie, Ty-Rap……different names but basically the same critter. Made from plastic, nylon, metal, and a few other materials, you should have a variety of sizes in your save-a-dive kit. I have used them to attach and/or repair any number of dive related items. That includes gear bags, suitcases, and backpacks.
I have seen them used to repair a zipper pull, attach a snorkel to a mask strap, attach a BCD to a tank, attach a goodie bag to a BCD or weight belt, and the list goes on and on. When combined with bungee cord, you can create a mask strap, fin strap, lanyards, and a variety of other stretchy items.
Bungee cord, AKA shock cord, comes in different diameters. I carry 5 ft. of both 2 mil. and 5 mil. Along with 5 different sizes of zip ties, I have made several emergency repairs on masks, fins, BCD, spearguns and slings, lights, etc.
As I am using ties and cord in the water, marine grade is preferred. Check out the internet or visit your local marine hardware (West Marine) to see what is available.
FYI – If you carry Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) when you travel to Mexico, watch out for those drug sniffing beagles. Unless you have a special permit, it is illegal to bring the stuff into Mexico.
🏆 Member of the Year
It’s that time of year again! Time to recognize that special Club member who has gone above and beyond over the past 12 months.
Who always shows up?
Who’s the first to lend a helping hand?
Who brings positivity, initiative, and spirit to every Club event?
Now’s your chance to honor them!
Voting Details:
- 🗳️ In-person voting: November 19th during the General Meeting
- 🌐 Online voting: November 20th–27th through our Club website
(Entries will be available online starting November 20th)
Eligibility:
- Only paid members may vote
- Members may vote either online or in person — not both
Winner Announcement:
🎉 The 2025 Member of the Year will be revealed during the Club Holiday Party on December 13th, 2025!
QUOTES FROM THE SEA
“Beneath the surface, there are no deadlines, no noise — only the quiet reminder that real adventure starts when you stop needing control.”
“Every dive is a leap of faith — proof that courage doesn’t mean fearlessness, it means sinking below it.”
“Adventure isn’t found in how far you travel, but in how deep you’re willing to explore — inside yourself and underwater.”
“The ocean rewards those who listen; it doesn’t shout adventure, it whispers it through bubbles and breath.”
Member News
October & November 2025 Birthdays
Tom Mischley – 10/01
Don Hansen – 10/08
Doug Hillblom – 10/08
Steven Volpicelli – 10/09
Edwin Gonzalez – 10/09
Tracy Clarke – 10/14
Steve Campbell – 10/16
Jasper Jacobs – 10/20
Tyler Hamby – 10/21
David Rosas – 10/26
Chris James – 11/7
David Mitchell – 11/9
Minh Nguyen – 11/19
Charlie Rojas – 11/21
September and October New Members
Ken Anderson
Alex Haugseth
Renard Arsenault
AS MEMBERS, REMEMBER WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO GROW OUR “DOLPHIN DIVERS FAMILY” SO PLEASE REACH OUT TO OTHER DIVERS AND LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THE CLUB WHENEVER YOU GET THE CHANCE.
Are you interested in becoming a Dolphin Divers of Sacramento member?
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
SAVE THE DATE
Just Laugh
The Quiet Place: Why Divers Find Peace Under Pressure
As the world above hums with noise, deadlines, and constant motion, divers slip beneath the surface into something entirely different — stillness. Down there, every sound softens, replaced by the rhythm of your own bubbles. The ocean becomes a sanctuary where time slows, focus sharpens, and calm finally takes over.
The Weight of the World Left at the Surface
The moment you descend, gravity loses its grip. The feeling of weightlessness is more than physical — it’s emotional. Each breath reminds you to be present. The usual chatter of the mind quiets as the senses recalibrate to the muted tones of the sea. What remains is simple: movement, breath, and awe.
Mindfulness, Naturally
Many divers describe the underwater world as the closest thing to meditation they’ve ever experienced. The repetition of breathing, the sway of current, and the focus on small details — a nudibranch on coral, a ray gliding overhead — all create a state of mindfulness that feels effortless. Stress dissolves, replaced by gratitude and wonder.
The Ocean’s Quiet Lesson
Underwater, communication shifts from words to gestures, from speaking to truly observing. It’s a place that teaches patience, respect, and awareness — lessons we carry back to the surface. The ocean, despite its depth and pressure, offers clarity that few other places on Earth can provide.
So the next time life feels heavy, remember the peace waiting below. Sometimes the best way to rise above the noise… is to dive beneath it.
2025 Photo Contest
Due Date November 9th
PHOTO CONTEST 2025 – GUIDELINES & CONTEST RULES
There are 5 categories:
Regardless of category, all photos must have been taken within 12 months prior to the date of the contest (November 2024 to November 2025).
- Above water at a Club event.
- Under water at a Club event.
- Open category – any photo taken anywhere – above or under water.
- Selfie category – any selfie taken anywhere – above or under water.
- Cell phone category – any cell phone photo taken anywhere – above or under water.
Only current, paid 2025-2026 members can participate in the Photo Contest and all photos must be taken by the entrant.
How to enter your pictures for voting:
All pictures need to be submitted electronically via email. For those of you who also want to showcase their entries at the November general meeting, please follow the “print” guidelines outlined below. The Club will not print any pictures this year.
Electronically:
Final date for electronic submittal is Sunday, November 9th, 2025. Please email all entries to corinne_fuerst@yahoo.com. Please email your pictures in jpeg format and no larger than 5 mb. Please make it very clear what category you are entering your pictures in.
Prints:
Please note that the MAXIMUM print size is 8” x 12” and that the pictures need to be unframed and can only be printed on regular or photo paper. Framed and/or matted pictures, pictures printed on foam board, canvas, metal, etc., will be rejected.
Only two photo entries per paid member.
Voting:
Voting will take place in person during the November general meeting on the 19th or online via our website from November 20th through November 27th ~ all entries will be available online starting November 20th. Paid members can vote via online website or in person, but not both!
Winners will be announced during the Club’s Holiday Party on December 13th, 2025.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
| Nov 5, 2025 | Board Meeting | Ken Takata’s | Owen Autry | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com | |
| Nov 19, 2025 | General Meeting | Mountain Mike’s | https://www.mountainmikespizza.com/locations/gold-river-gold-springs/ Cookie Contest | ||
| Dec 3, 2025 | DDS Board Meeting | Marlyn Sepulveda | Owen Autry | (916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com | |
| Dec. 13, 2025 | Christmas Party | Aviator’s Resturant | More Information to Come. |
DOLPHIN DIVERS OF SACRAMENTO
Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest
Underwater Pumpkin Carving Event Recap
While the turnout was low, the ingenuity and results were truly inspiring. We had only two divers carve pumpkins, and their approaches to keeping the pumpkins submerged while carving were quite different.
One method involved adding extra weight to the diver’s own body, while the other focused on making the pumpkin itself heavier by attaching a weight to it. I have to admit, I was impressed by the pumpkin-weighting design—it proved to be very effective in keeping the pumpkin submerged. However, it did seem to create a bit of a challenge when surfacing with the final carved pumpkin.
In the other case, where the diver chose to over-weight themselves, the main challenge appeared to be maintaining the pumpkin’s stability during the carving process.
Kudos to both divers who participated in the event, and to Brad for once again putting this creative and entertaining dive together!
Depths of Discovery:
How Every Dive Teaches Something New
Ask any diver, beginner or veteran, and they’ll tell you — no two dives are ever the same. Even when you descend in familiar waters, the ocean always finds a way to surprise you. It could be a flash of color from a curious fish, the quiet shape of a ray gliding by, or just that moment when you realize how small, yet how connected, you are in the vast blue.
Lessons Hidden Beneath the Surface
Each dive carries its own kind of lesson. Sometimes it’s a technical one — better buoyancy control, a smoother descent, or learning how to stay calm when visibility drops. Other times, it’s something deeper. Maybe you discover patience while waiting for a shy octopus to emerge. Or gratitude, as you hover weightless, realizing how few people ever get to see this side of the planet.
The ocean is a patient teacher. It rewards awareness and humility. It doesn’t rush, and it reminds you that nature doesn’t operate on your timeline. Every dive reinforces the art of slowing down — of noticing the small things that make the big picture so breathtaking.
The Dive That Changes You
Divers often talk about “that one dive” — the one that left them different afterward. Maybe it was a drift dive that tested their focus, or a deep wreck that stirred curiosity about history. Or maybe it was something simpler: floating among a school of fish so dense that for a few seconds, you forgot where the surface was.
What you take from each dive isn’t just skill or memory — it’s perspective. You surface a little more aware, a little more appreciative, and maybe even a little more in tune with the world above.
A Classroom Without Walls
The best part? The lessons never stop. Whether you’ve logged 10 dives or 1,000, the ocean keeps finding ways to teach — through changing tides, shifting currents, and the living world that thrives below.
That’s the beauty of diving. It’s not just about exploring the depths — it’s about discovering something new every single time, both in the sea and within yourself.
EDITOR’S NOTE
By: Joe Morgan
I’M 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
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
Cheryl Anderson – Member at Large
Ed Hurff – Member at Large
Chris Matthews – Member at Large
