The February Dive by Jim Trayer
The dive was first scheduled for Saturday 2/21/98. On Friday I received email from Bill Johns suggesting that the dive might go better on Sunday. Since the weather looked pretty bad on Saturday, I agreed with Bill. By this time the group had dwindled to only three people, all of whom thought Sunday would be better. So I sent out email saying it would be Sunday. Saturday morning, right at 7:00 AM sharp, tap, tap,tap on the door. There was Bill ready to go to Monastery. I said I hadagreed with him to go on Sunday and had emailed him. He hadn't read his mail because he has it at work and not at home. Bill was a really good sport about it but I felt bad about him showing up and not being informed. I mention this because it might be wise in the future to use the phone for any last minute changes that may occur. Bright and early Sunday morning Bill was back again. The group had dwindled to just us by this point. The weather looked okay, so we were off. I had checked the weather on the net and called the Aquarius hot line. All was go. As we approached Monterey we passed Sand City and could see what appeared to be 30 foot waves breaking on the beach. Oh my! Surf's up! Well we continued on to Monastery and were greeted with only 3 foot waves there but the water looked really brown. The Carmel river was flowing heavy and dirty. After waiting 15 minutes for anybody to show up and after checking out the beach and conditions, we decided to give the north end of Monastery a try. We suited up and made our way to the water. I had never been to Monastery and Bill was very helpful in telling me how and where to go. Much appreciated! Getting into the water and swimming out was no problem. After swimming out for a while it soon became clear that the water was not clear. The vis was about 6 inches! It was like swimming in salty chocolate milk. Bill decided to take a quick look down and popped back up in a few seconds and said, "Anybody for a night dive?" It was pitch black in just a few feet of water. We then decided this may not have been the world's best dive spot for the day and started back for the beach. As we approached the beach Bill warned me that we were south of were we should be and might get caught in some unfriendly waves. At about that same time I did. Boom. I was flipped over one full revolution and my mask and snorkel were gone and I was kneeling on the beach. I stared at the beach and ocean in disbelief for a moment waiting for my mask and snorkel to wash up. Nothing! I finally made it up to dry sand and removed the tank and fins. I stood there for 15 minutes waiting for the mask to show up in the chocolate milk and whipped cream. I was about to give up for the second time when I thought I saw a flash of green. My snorkel! No it was nothing. I just couldn't believe this. I was about to give up for the third time when there it was about 30 yards to the south. I ran and ran and just snagged it as another large wave blasted in. I had reclaimed my stuff from the opaque brownness of the sea. I felt a whole lot better. We decided to give Breakwater a try. As we pulled into Breakwater we were greeted by the same brownness of the sea that we had just been in. We also noted the lack of divers but did find a small group standing by their car. We asked how the vis was and got zeros. We stopped at the dive shop and asked for a report. Lover's and Breakwater were zero and Macabee had surfers. OK we weren't going to dive today afer all. We decided to check out Anderson Lake on the way back and discovered, you guessed it, Chocolate milk again! Bill said all we needed was some marshmallows and we would be set. That was that we went home.
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING: 7:05 pm, Wednesday 3-12-98: At Santa Clara Ca., Diver Dan's Dive Store, upstairs classroom. The group was called to order by President Larry King at our regularly scheduled time and place. The first order of business was brought to the floor by the President, a complete discussion and description of the upcoming club scheduled march dive to take place on 3-21-98, called the "California Chocolate Abalone Dive". Described as SAN CARLOS BEACH (Breakwater Beach) right next to the Monterey Public Marina. The time for this event will be Sat. 3-21-98, Registration 7:30-9:00 am at the Aquarius Dive Shop. Del Monte Blvd, Monterey. It should be noted by all interested persons/ participants that the actual dive site is at a separate location from the point of registration. Larry went on to explain the specific techniques necessary to be successful in locating the chocolate abalones prizes. Over 400 prizes are to be given away, the prize identification code is to be on each ab. There is a 3 ab limit per diver, but that only 2 abs will be allowed prizes to that diver. It is suggested that a successful diver give one of the chocolate abs away to an unsuccessful participant. Remember that last years event there were over 650 divers there, so sign up now with Larry to dive as a club. The second order of business brought to the floor was from member Jim Trayer who gave out an update on his currant status with creating a website on the inter net. He is still asking for help from anyone knowledgeable as to the fine points so that this project can be completed successfully. The address is https://www.angelfire.com/ca/Kelp, there is a link to be found at Diver Dan's website who's address is http://www.diverdans.com The next order of business Member Steve Lopez who is the scheduled dive host for the April 18-19, 1998 dive at Ocean Cove described the FT. Ross Cabin, he also mentions that only one spot ($60.) is open at the cabin as of now. He said in order to take abs you have to have a new state abalone stamp on your fishing license. He further pointed out that the license has to worn so it is visible waist high or higher. Steve also indicated he will demonstrate how to catch, clean and eat the abs he'll get that weekend. Camping will be available at the Ocean Cove location. The may dive was not discussed. Member Tony Ferrara makes a formal announcement that the June 6-7, 1998 club dive on the Peace Dive Boat will cost $190 to members and $240 to non-members. You can load your gear aboard anytime after 6 pm Friday night 6/5, Captain Eric says be aboard before he sails which according to conditions could be anytime after 12:30 am. What you get on this zone 4 outer channel island dive trip is air refills in your tank so bring just one, all your foods, soft drinks, and a bunk. Don't bring any extra luggage as storage space is rationed, nothing is allowed in the walkways. To reserve on this trip you got to sign up with Tony and also put money down ASAP. No less than $95 now and the balance $95 before the cut off date of MAY 6,1998. Boarding passes will be issued. This trip sells out fast, last year it only took four days to sell all 16 diver/passenger spots. Next order of business was a floor discussion by the club by member Steve Lopez was the issue of whether or not it was fair that any dive host get a free trip if that dive host sells out all the spots open of a scheduled club dive. Through the course of discussion no one could recall who started this point or when it was voted on by the membership. Therefore the idea was scraped and the only thing a volunteering, dive host will be entitled to is the $25 for putting on the dive and also writing a one page article describing the event. No exceptions no matter how much work is involved. There was a lengthy discussion about whether or not to allow the $25 per dive trip food budget discussed at length at the last meeting. "Pass the Hat" was suggested, also mentioned was a cap limit of 3 to 5 dollars per diver at the event. It was admitted that an annual budget had to be considered and voted on due to the annual exposure for the moneys paid out to the dive host campsite and dive fees at state and /or private parks, there is also boat launch fees/or parking for the boat owners. No resolution adopted at this time.
CLUB OFFICERS ELECTION
resulted in the following offices being filled:
Congratulations to all!
NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS:
OUR NEW DIVE YEAR IS UPON US, PLEASE SIGN UP AGAIN BY mail SENDING TO THE TREASURER; MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO--- K.K.D.C. ANNUAL DUES ..$30.00 Club LOGO sportswear is still for sale, HATS--$7.50; T-SHIRTS--$10. HOODED SWEAT "ZIP UP THE FRONT"JACKETS--$22.50
