Fall is in the air, and I love the fall colors as they start to show in the next couple of months. On my bucket list is to someday go to Maine, and the northeast in general, to look at the fall colors. One thing we do have is the beautiful coast of California; the ocean gives us such spectacular colors while diving in Monterey and other great dive locations up and down the California coastline.

We have some fun diving planned for October and November, so keep checking out the website for upcoming events at: www.dolphindivers.org. If you have any ideas for a dive or would like to be a leader for one, please contact the board and we can guide you through the process. We are always looking for leaders to take on an event. Remember we are a volunteer dive club and can’t run the club without your assistance and participation.

I hope you have been able to join us for the Dolphin Club General Meetings at Round Table Pizza. At our last meeting, we had the Department of Fish and Wildlife and speaker Lt. Ian Bearry come and talk, and there was so much interest in the discussion that the meeting ran until 8:45 pm. Again, watch your emails and look at the website for more information on our October meeting.

If you have not joined the club officially, please sign up by checking out the Web page at: www.dolphindivers.org and register today. This will get you on the email list, so you won’t miss any exciting activities; plus, you’ll receive a card that gets you 10 free air refills of your scuba tank – courtesy of Dolphin Dive Shop!

Our next Dolphin Club General Meeting will be held in person on Wednesday, October 21st, 2022, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Round Table Pizza (9500 Greenback Lane in Folsom), and via Zoom for those who would prefer to attend remotely. Marilyn will send the information on the day of the meeting. Everyone is welcome to join the meeting!

Hope to see you in the water, and bubbles up!!

Owen Autry,
President

QUOTES FROM THE SEA

“There’s nothing wrong with enjoying looking at the surface of the ocean itself, except that when you finally see what goes on underwater, you realized that you’ve been missing the whole point of the ocean.”
– Dave Barry

Safety Officer’s Message
By: Brad Freelove

Safe Diving for All

Maybe you have been diving for a few months……or 50 years……here are a few things you might want to consider.

1. Does your dive have a purpose? Photo, sightseeing, hunting, training. All good reasons to make a dive. Try and stick to your primary reason for your dive. However, there will come a time when you can multitask. Most of my dives start off with two purposes. Maybe photo and sightseeing or hunting and sightseeing. Then I find a lost weight belt and my purpose changes. Now I need to get 30 lbs. of lead back to the boat. It is okay to switch your dive plan at any time. Just make sure that you do so safely.
   
2. If you are diving with a buddy, check out their equipment and know how to operate it. Most divers have their second stage come over the right shoulder. Maybe your buddy is a tech diver and does things a little differently. Take a minute and know the location of the important stuff. Your buddy should do the same to you.
   
3. During your dive, watch your gauges. Your dive computer can tell you all sorts of things to keep you safe. Pay attention to it. As your experience level increases, you will check the computer less and less. No need to check it every 30 seconds. Just be aware of your situation.
   
4. If you are diving with a buddy and cannot find them, what is your plan? You should have discussed this before you hit the water.
   
5. Dive within your limits and training. It is okay to challenge yourself during a dive. Just make sure that your buddy is okay with your plan.
   
6. So your dive is almost over. Time to head to the surface. Whatever your situation, remember to keep breathing on the way up. Also, control your ascent rate. Your dive computer can help you out with this. Learn how to use this piece of dive equipment to your advantage! Your BCD and/or dry suit can help you out…..or get you into trouble. Know your equipment!
   
7. Whenever possible, I make a safety stop on the way to the surface. Many different views on how to do this to keep you safe. Once again, watch your computer. Even if your computer states no stop is necessary, just take a couple of minutes at 15 ft. to off gas.
   
8. When you get to the surface head to the boat or shore. Make sure that all the equipment you went into the water with is not left for others to trip over or piled on someone else’s stuff. Be aware of your situation.

INLAND LOBSTER FEED
LAKE NATOMA PICNIC AND DIVE

About 60 members with families and friends showed up at the Black Miners Bar picnic area of Lake Natoma on Saturday morning, August 13, for our annual Inland Lobster (crawdad) Feed and dive.

12 divers met under the picnic cover at 9:00 for my dive orientation and to load up into the boats. We then motored under the Rainbow Bridge and almost to the Folsom Prison boundary. All the divers started from there and worked their way back toward the bridges. Brad and I had set out a couple of crawdad traps Friday afternoon to fill up with crawdads for the event the next morning. But they were almost empty when Holger pulled them up at the end of his dive. I had set out fewer traps than usual because we have always collected too many, but not this year.
Back at the picnic area, Brad, Corinne, and Ken were getting the barbeques fired up for the hamburgers, hot dogs, and corn-on-the-cob. The rest of the members had arrived with pot-luck contributions for lunch, while the divers were down, so there was a nice crowd waiting for the divers to get back. Before eating we held a crawdad race for the children and another for adults.

There was also a “Liars Contest” where the divers displayed what they had found on the bottom and spun a tale about how the treasures had been left for them. Holger spun a long, convoluted, story about what he had found. While the others tried to tie their stories with his, Holger had the best story, so I declared him the winner.

We joined the rest of the members in the food line to gorge on all the goodies contributed to the potluck, and on the hamburgers, hot dogs, and corn prepared by our chefs. By 2:00, with the help of volunteers, we were finished and everyone was headed for home.
Thank you to everyone who helped organize this event and clean up afterward!
Jack

Labor Day Spearfishing Contest

117o, the high in Sacramento, 720, the high at Ocean Cove. If you weren’t there, I’m sorry.

Dolphin Dive Club again had two of the group areas at Ocean Cove campground reserved for Labor Day weekend. We guaranteed at least 20 campsites between the two sites, exactly what we had. The ocean was not cooperating with us for the diving part of our event, but the weather was PERFECT! In spite of the rough water, several members were able to go out n boats to line fish. They did not catch enough fish for a fish fry, but we had a lot of potluck dinner contributions for our shared dinner on Sunday, and no one went hungry 😊

Instead of diving some of our members went for long walks along the shoreline, and others relaxed in camp visiting other members and enjoying the beautiful weather. Saturday night I set up my projector and screen and showed a movie to the kids. I looked behind the seated children and there were quite a few adults also enjoying the movie.

Sunday afternoon I played another movie to keep the kids occupied while the adults set up for the potluck

Holger Fuerst was able to catch the most fish, so he won the pole fishing contest. For the spearfishing entrants I asked them to select cards from a deck, then awarded the fish prizes from the highest to lowest card value. I had each contestant choose what they wanted from the prizes set out.

After dinner William and Liz Taylor helped sell raffle tickets, Then, with everyone sitting in a huge circle around the campfire, I called out ticket numbers for our raffle. Corinne Fuerst and Layni Little helped hand out the prizes as I was calling out the ticket numbers. The top prize was an integrated dive computer complete with the tank pressure sending unit, won by Julie Rojas.

Monday morning I set out a selection of muffins with orange juice for everyone while they were breaking camp. After everyone else had headed home I watched the ocean flatten out, and the visibility even looked a lot better. Debby and I spent one more night at Ocean Cove, before relocating to Manchester KOA, where we waited for the 100+ degree days to end in Sacramento.

History of Diving Museum
Islamorada, Florida

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When driving the Florida Keys you should be on the lookout as you pass Islamorada, you don’t want to miss the “History Of Diving” museum. It is a really interesting look into the complete history of diving from King Gilgamesh’s “First Dive Log” in 2700 BC, through current rebreathers and single-person submersibles.

I had the pleasure of visiting during my recent trip, and I wanted to share a few of my photos, I hope you enjoy them. If you ever get the chance it is a very interesting afternoon.

HISTORY OF DIVING MUSEUM WEBSITE

DAN Enhanced Membership

A member brought it to my attention that some divers in the club may have not heard of DAN, the Divers Alert Network. If you haven’t heard of it you should look into the coverages they offer. In the unlikely event that you have a diving-related accident, you will be happy to have joined. They have a hotline to help locate the nearest facilities for dive-related injuries. Their Insurance covers Recompression Chambers and other facilities. Look into it.

For those of you who are already carrying DAN membership and insurance, this year they began a new “Enhanced Membership” to include new coverages to include: Global Security Evacuation, Search & Rescue Coverage, and New Severe Infectious Disease & Quarantine Coverage.
Now I am not a salesman and you should look into it for yourselves, but I will never dive without it, and I hope you don’t either.

DAN WEBSITE

Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest

Come join us at Folsom Point on October 15 for our underwater pumpkin carving contest! Dive will start at 10 am. There will be prizes for the top 3 most scary and intricate pumpkins. You can design your pumpkin on the surface, but all carving is done underwater. More information to come. Watch your email!

Member News

October Birthdays:
Steve Campbell
Dana Carlson
Tracy Clarke
Don Hansen
Jasper Jacobs
Luci Oja
David Rosas
Steven Volpicelli

Alisha & Greg Ching
Kathleen & Jack Forrest

Are you interested in becoming a Dolphin Divers of Sacramento member?
CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Great American River Clean Up
September 17th – RECAP
By: Brad Freelove

Saturday, September 17 was the official Great American River Clean-Up dive. In California, thousands of people roamed the waterways, parks, and coastlines of our state picking up trash. Some of us went underwater doing the same. Divers from Dolphin Divers, the Seahorses, Outlaw divers, and other concerned citizens floated down the American River from the Lower Sunrise Parking lot to River Bend Park picking up trash from areas that cannot be cleaned by those walking along the bike path and foot trails. About 6 hours after our 9 am start, we had pulled out about 400 lbs. of bottles, cans, plastic, old towels and clothing, and other stuff that does not belong in the water.

As always, we did bring up an assortment of fishing equipment, rafting paddles, cell phones, sunglasses, and other treasures. The San Juan Rapids produced 8 unopened beers still in a shopping bag. Gordon Kuhnle was the finder of the bottles, and he donated them to any diver wanting them. Thanks, Gordon for helping our thirsty diver.

Thanks to all our divers, boat handlers, and helpers.
We had over 30 people using rafts supplied by American River Raft Rentals.
Our next clean-up trip will be next year.

Dolphin Divers:
Saving the day, one phone at a time:

DDS member Dave Rosas found a cell phone during our last river dive. Dave was able to contact the owner of the phone and return it to them. The owner of the phone mentioned that the phone was a work phone and worth over $1,300! They were very happy to get their property back, saving them a bunch of money.

Thanks, DAVE!

Fellow diver and DDS member, Holger Fuerst, found a lost cellphone during our Inland Lobster dive.  Holger posted the main screen photo on Facebook and the owner of the phone was found!  Thanks, Holger, for taking the time to return the phone!

Congratulations!

Thanks, Holger!

Labor Day Dive Event 2022
Pictures and Thanks:

Thanks, Jack Millard, for putting on this event. While the weather was great, the water conditions could have been a little better. Instead of pouting about the lack of diving and fishing, many of us found other areas of interest. Whale watching, spying on seals on the rocks, visiting Ft. Brag, and observing the local wildlife took the place of being out on the water.

CHRISTMAS PARTY
Save The Date

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

Dolphin Divers
History Highlights

1981 – THE BEGINNING

February 6 – Robert Darrow, Manager of Dolphin Swim and Scuba Center, proposed forming an area dive club after a shop slide presentation at Dolphin dive Shop.

February 26 – 13 “Charter Members” met at the Dolphin Swim and Scuba Center to discuss the formation of a dive club.
The “official” purpose of the club was to “provide members the opportunities to participate in social activities involving, but not limited to, Scuba sport diving.”
A temporary name was adopted, “Dolphin Divers” until the general membership could vote on an “official” name.
Dues were set at $12.00 per person per year payable on April 3

Temporary officers were elected for a 6-month term:
President – Howard Pearson
Vice President – Carol Ward
Treasurer – Steve House
Secretary – Marjie Nixon
Dive-master – Craig Weston

March 5 – A second club formation meeting was held at Dolphin dive Shop.
Name changed to Dolphin Divers of Sacramento
Dive-master position renamed Diving Safety Officer
Rio Americano High School was chosen as the location for future meetings.
Robert Darrow offered members air fills and discounts.

March 12 – Third meeting to discuss club formation held at Dolphin Dive Shop.
Bob Darrow introduced a club patch with a diver sitting on a dolphin.
Permission granted from the State of California authorizing use of Lake Comanche for Carp Shoot.
Membership qualifications & dues discussed:
Certified dive member = $12.00,
Associate Member = immediate family member only = no fee
Non-diving member = $6.00
Guests may only participate in club dives, meetings, and other activities for 2 months after which they must join the club to participate.

March 19 – Fourth club formation meeting held at Dolphin Dive Shop.
Most of the discussion was on by-laws.

March 26 – Fifth club formation meeting held at Dolphin Dive Shop
More by-laws discussion
First Membership Cards issued

April 2 – Meeting at Dolphin Dive Shop
Discussed finalization of by-laws
Position of “Activity Chairman” was created and Steve Demetre was voted into the position (he wasn’t there to decline)
Three “Members at Large” were elected: George Bodinar, Clare McFarlane, and Joe Wilhelm.
The first calendar of events written

April 3 – FIRST OFFICIAL MEETING OF DOLPHIN DIVERS OF SACRAMENTO
Held at Rio Americano High School
Bob Darrow introduced Board members
Fiscal Year to be April 1 – March 31
By-Laws discussed
Monthly meetings to alternate between social meetings and business meetings
Treasury at $500.00
48 people signed up as members (as of April 3)
58 people attended the meeting.
Slide presentation on Belize presented by Homer Rector
The first list of activities presented:
April 18 & 19 – Salt Point trip
May 2 – 1st annual Carp Shoot at Lake Comanche
May 3 – navigation Contest at Lake Comanche
May 6, Social Meeting at Shakey’s Pizza (Fulton & El Camino)
May 23, 24 & 25 – Fort Bragg dive trip
August 1 & 2 – Monterey dive trip

May 2 & 3 – First Annual Carp Shoot and Underwater Navigation Contest held at Lake Comanche Resort. Event a fundraiser open to all divers.
May 6 – 2nd – Club Meeting held at Shakey’s Pizza
Carol Rice resigned and Clare McFarlane was elected as Vice-President. Lorraine DeFrancisco replaced Clare as Member at Large
45 people in attendance. Membership already 70 people.
More activities planned:
June 6 – Clamming at Lawson’s Landing
June 13-14 – 1st Inland Lobster Feed at Lake Edison (Stumpy Meadows)
June 20 – 21 – Ocean Cove dive trip
July 1 – BBQ at Lake Natoma (Negro Bar)
July 11-12 – High Altitude course
August 1-2 – Monterey Boat Dive
August 22-23 – Lake Tahoe Dive
September 5-6 – Fort Bragg dive trip
September 26-27 – Salt Point Dive trip
October 3-4 – Dive trip to Russian Gulch

May 9 & 10 – First club dive held at Russian Gulch.

May 13 – Board Meeting at Dolphin Dive Shop
Fundraisers discussed
Articles of Incorporation ready to be typed.
“Flyer” proposed, in calendar form, to be mailed to members including information about future events.

May 27 – Board of Director’s meeting held at Dolphin Dive Shop
“Articles of Incorporation” signed by board members
First “Current Bubbles” prepared to mail to members

June 3 – Business Meeting held at Rio Americano High School
Articles of Incorporation ready for filing with State
Treasury at $571.00
A contest was announced for the creation of a “Club Logo”

June 6 & 7 – Third club event held at Lawson’s Landing – no SCUBA

July 18 & 19 – Fish Derby at Salt Point (Later moved to Labor Day weekend and renamed “Spearfishing contest”)

June 13 & 14 – First Annual “Inland Lobster Dive and Feed” held at Lake Edison (Stumpy Meadows)

August 8 – Howard Pearson died

August 12 – Board Meeting held at Dolphin dive Shop to elect a new President.
Clare McFarlane was elected by Board to fill President’s position.
Jan Johnson was elected by Board to fill the Vice President position.
Telephone Committee was formed to create a membership directory.

September 9 – Board of Director’s meeting held at Granata’s Pizza
Treasury is $813.00
Articles of Incorporation approved by State except for paragraph describing “Fund Raising for Profit”
Jan Johnson proposed, and the Board approved, calling Roll Call at all General Meetings

October 7 – General Meeting at Junior Museum, Watt Ave & Auburn Blvd
Logo contest to end November 4
Steve Dunn and George Bodinar to research silk screening “T” shirts, etc.
Ideas about “Warm Water Diving” were discussed.
The number of “Club” dives was limited to once per month to increase participation
Steve Demetre gave a slide presentation about Peru

October 14 – Board Meeting at Dolphin Dive Shop
Treasury at $910.00
Discussion about annual trips for 1982:
The second annual Carp Shoot was discussed. Event leaders: Mike Johnson, Joe Wilhelm & Ron Grommet.
Crawdad Feed locations discussed

November 4 – General meeting – no records about meeting

November 18 – Board Meeting at Dolphin Dive Shop
Howard Pearson Memorial Abalone Contest named
Dolphin Diver Logo created by Kim Beach (Lewis)

December 6, 1:00 PM – First Annual Christmas Party held at Dolphin Swim School. Pot luck with about 85-90 participants

TO BE CONTINUED…

EDITOR’S NOTE
By: Joe Morgan

Each month I will be looking for submissions in the following categories:

• 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

President: Owen Autry
Vice President: Ken Takata
Treasurer: Marlyn Sepulveda
Secretary: Elizabeth Marchiondo
Safety Officer: Brad Freelove
Activity Chair: Ilkan Cokgor
Webmaster: Renee Viehmann
Promotions Chair: Tracy Clarke
Newsletter Editor: Joe Morgan
Historian: Jack Millard
Member at Large: David Whiteside
Member at Large: Corinne Fuerst
Member at Large: Marylin Campbell
Member at Large: Steve Campbell
Member at Large: Lalanyia Little
Member at Large: Tom Mischley
Alternate Member at Large: Bob Taylor
Alternate Member at Large: Tom Oja