Ken Kurtis
Contributor
Want to travel??? Upcoming 2018 vacation trips:
• October 27 - November 3 - Roatan at Anthony's Key (2 SPOTS LEFT - one full room)
STARTING TO PLAN 2019
• Perhaps a combo Yap & Truk????
• Maldives for the huge Manta Ray congregation - looking at sometime in Aug/Sept/Oct
• Where would you like to go?
GET MORE INFO ON ALL OF OUR VACATION TRIPS HERE: Foreign Trips
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Upcoming local dives & classes:
• Sat., July 28 - Catalina Express - Avalon Underwater Park ($150)
• Thu., Aug. 2 (RE-SKED) - CLASS - NAUI Nitrox ($25 - please note this will be an afternoon class, 3-6PM)
• Sat., Aug. 11 - Redondo - Navigation (single tank - $25)
• Sat., Aug. 25 (RE-SKED) - Catalina Express - Avalon Underwater Park ($150)
To sign up for any of these dives, either call us at 310/652-4990 or e-mail us at kenkurtis@aol.com
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Surf started picking up over the weekend AND it's going to be 90+º by Wednesday . . .
THERE BE BLACK SEA BASS!!! - A bunch of folks from the Aquarium of the Pacific went over last Monday to the Avalon Underwater Park to see if they could find any of the Black Sea Bass who seem to have taken up residence. Although they tend to roam the Park a bit, we've been finding them generally 50-70' deep more or less on a straight line out from the stairs. So the AOP folks were delighted to find them on that line, but in only about 30 feet of water. And there were TEN of them!!! Best of all, they were shallow enough that even the snorkelers in the group could see them from the surface. It was also interesting to hear that there were not only a bunch of them but also as to how shallow they were. Makes you wonder if they scatter or go deeper on weekends when it's more crowded. Almost like they're saying "Too busy - I'm outta here." If there's any validity to that, it also underscores that when you see one, try to resist the impulse to quickly try to get closer and simply settle down right where you are. Generally, we've found that if you don't make any big moves and if you give the animal time to get accustomed to your presence, they'll then either let you come in closer or will even come over to take a look at YOU. The other nice thing was that a number of the AOPers had never seen a Black Sea Bass in the wild. (We have three decent-sized ones in our Blue Cavern exhibit and a juvie in our Redondo canyon exhibit.) And they said they were mightily impressed at how big the ones in the Park are.
BLACK SEA BASS IN THE L.A. TIMES TOO - When they told me about the trip, they didn't tell me that there was also a reporter and photographer from the L.A. Times with them and the story ran on Saturday morning (on page 1 no less). If you didn't see it, you can read it on-line through this link:http://www.latimes.com/…/la-me-giant-sea-bass-20180721-stor… .
AVALON THIS COMING SATURDAY - If you'd like to see the BSBs as well as the other things the Underwater Park has to offer, make plans to join us this coming Saturday for one of our Avalon day trips. We'll take the Catalina Express out of San Pedro going over (most likely the 8:45 but I could be talked into the 7AM) and then the 5:30PM coming back (or the 3PM if we take the early boat). Ferry, taxi to the Park, tank rentals and airfills, and three escorted dives is all covered in the $150 fee. (You're also welcome to go on your own and we don't have to always look for BSBs.) Call us at 310/652-4990 to get signed up if you'd like to go.
SCHEDULE RE-SHUFFLE - Just a reminder that, because my schedule changed a few weeks ago, we've done some re-juggling of July and August. Be sure to check out the box above as well as our Local Classes & Trips Page. Both have the current/corrected info.
TWO SPOTS LEFT ROATAN - I've only got only two spots left for our Roatan trip October 27-November 3 at Anthony's Key. It's a really nice setup there with three boat dives daily, all meals included, and some very nice diving. We've got rooms out on the Key, all over the water, so there will be some quite pleasant relaxation time as well. $2,195 covers you for double-occupancy (includes airport transfers and crew/staff tip). Airfare looks to be running around $900-ish on United and American. (Delta goes in too but is a bit more expensive.) If you're interested, let me know.
FINAL WORD ON THE THAI RESCUE - I know it seems like I've been obsessing about this ("seems" may even be too gentle - definitely fascinated) so when I came across a link to a BBC.com story, I had to share it with you. It's the definitive overall story of the entire rescue and includes some really great and seemingly-to-scale drawings of the cave system. Definitely a good read if you were following this:https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44695232?SThisFB .
LINGERING QUESTION - One thing I'd really like to know, and I don't honestly know if there will ever be a full discussion of this, is how that experienced Thai SEAL ran out of air and died? Obviously, out-of-air is one of the biggest mistakes you can make, let alone in a cave system. Also, cavers routinely use the rule of thirds which is 1/3 of your gas supply to go in, 1/3 to go out, and 1/3 for emergencies. And it sounds like there was a buddy with him because there was mention made of another diver trying to revive him. Don't know if we'll ever get the full story but I would think that if we do, it will have some valuable insights that can be applied to recreational diving as well.
SHARK WEEK ON DISCOVERY CHANNEL - I am semi-reluctant to mention it, but Shark Week starts tonight (Sunday) on Discovery Channel. It seems this year they're still going somewhat sensationalistic, and with a celebrity angle as well. Seems like many of the shows are basically "Your Favorite Celeb Faces Their Shark Fears." There was a brief time some years ago when they were much more eco-conscious but that seems to have been toned down. At least it's not as bad as when they first started which was basically "The Only Good Shark Is a Dead Shark." You can check out their schedule here: https://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/shark-week/ .
JAWS AT THE BOWL - Of course, none of this dampened my enthusiasm for going to the Hollywood Bowl Friday night for the screening of "Jaws" where the music track is played live by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Not only was the weather perfect, but the crowd was really into the film and we got a lot of good comments on our shark-specific attire for the evening:
And on that'll do it for this week. Have a great week and let's go diving soon!!!
- Ken
• October 27 - November 3 - Roatan at Anthony's Key (2 SPOTS LEFT - one full room)
STARTING TO PLAN 2019
• Perhaps a combo Yap & Truk????
• Maldives for the huge Manta Ray congregation - looking at sometime in Aug/Sept/Oct
• Where would you like to go?
GET MORE INFO ON ALL OF OUR VACATION TRIPS HERE: Foreign Trips
—————————————————————————
Upcoming local dives & classes:
• Sat., July 28 - Catalina Express - Avalon Underwater Park ($150)
• Thu., Aug. 2 (RE-SKED) - CLASS - NAUI Nitrox ($25 - please note this will be an afternoon class, 3-6PM)
• Sat., Aug. 11 - Redondo - Navigation (single tank - $25)
• Sat., Aug. 25 (RE-SKED) - Catalina Express - Avalon Underwater Park ($150)
To sign up for any of these dives, either call us at 310/652-4990 or e-mail us at kenkurtis@aol.com
————————————————————————
Surf started picking up over the weekend AND it's going to be 90+º by Wednesday . . .
THERE BE BLACK SEA BASS!!! - A bunch of folks from the Aquarium of the Pacific went over last Monday to the Avalon Underwater Park to see if they could find any of the Black Sea Bass who seem to have taken up residence. Although they tend to roam the Park a bit, we've been finding them generally 50-70' deep more or less on a straight line out from the stairs. So the AOP folks were delighted to find them on that line, but in only about 30 feet of water. And there were TEN of them!!! Best of all, they were shallow enough that even the snorkelers in the group could see them from the surface. It was also interesting to hear that there were not only a bunch of them but also as to how shallow they were. Makes you wonder if they scatter or go deeper on weekends when it's more crowded. Almost like they're saying "Too busy - I'm outta here." If there's any validity to that, it also underscores that when you see one, try to resist the impulse to quickly try to get closer and simply settle down right where you are. Generally, we've found that if you don't make any big moves and if you give the animal time to get accustomed to your presence, they'll then either let you come in closer or will even come over to take a look at YOU. The other nice thing was that a number of the AOPers had never seen a Black Sea Bass in the wild. (We have three decent-sized ones in our Blue Cavern exhibit and a juvie in our Redondo canyon exhibit.) And they said they were mightily impressed at how big the ones in the Park are.
BLACK SEA BASS IN THE L.A. TIMES TOO - When they told me about the trip, they didn't tell me that there was also a reporter and photographer from the L.A. Times with them and the story ran on Saturday morning (on page 1 no less). If you didn't see it, you can read it on-line through this link:http://www.latimes.com/…/la-me-giant-sea-bass-20180721-stor… .
AVALON THIS COMING SATURDAY - If you'd like to see the BSBs as well as the other things the Underwater Park has to offer, make plans to join us this coming Saturday for one of our Avalon day trips. We'll take the Catalina Express out of San Pedro going over (most likely the 8:45 but I could be talked into the 7AM) and then the 5:30PM coming back (or the 3PM if we take the early boat). Ferry, taxi to the Park, tank rentals and airfills, and three escorted dives is all covered in the $150 fee. (You're also welcome to go on your own and we don't have to always look for BSBs.) Call us at 310/652-4990 to get signed up if you'd like to go.
SCHEDULE RE-SHUFFLE - Just a reminder that, because my schedule changed a few weeks ago, we've done some re-juggling of July and August. Be sure to check out the box above as well as our Local Classes & Trips Page. Both have the current/corrected info.
TWO SPOTS LEFT ROATAN - I've only got only two spots left for our Roatan trip October 27-November 3 at Anthony's Key. It's a really nice setup there with three boat dives daily, all meals included, and some very nice diving. We've got rooms out on the Key, all over the water, so there will be some quite pleasant relaxation time as well. $2,195 covers you for double-occupancy (includes airport transfers and crew/staff tip). Airfare looks to be running around $900-ish on United and American. (Delta goes in too but is a bit more expensive.) If you're interested, let me know.
FINAL WORD ON THE THAI RESCUE - I know it seems like I've been obsessing about this ("seems" may even be too gentle - definitely fascinated) so when I came across a link to a BBC.com story, I had to share it with you. It's the definitive overall story of the entire rescue and includes some really great and seemingly-to-scale drawings of the cave system. Definitely a good read if you were following this:https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44695232?SThisFB .
LINGERING QUESTION - One thing I'd really like to know, and I don't honestly know if there will ever be a full discussion of this, is how that experienced Thai SEAL ran out of air and died? Obviously, out-of-air is one of the biggest mistakes you can make, let alone in a cave system. Also, cavers routinely use the rule of thirds which is 1/3 of your gas supply to go in, 1/3 to go out, and 1/3 for emergencies. And it sounds like there was a buddy with him because there was mention made of another diver trying to revive him. Don't know if we'll ever get the full story but I would think that if we do, it will have some valuable insights that can be applied to recreational diving as well.
SHARK WEEK ON DISCOVERY CHANNEL - I am semi-reluctant to mention it, but Shark Week starts tonight (Sunday) on Discovery Channel. It seems this year they're still going somewhat sensationalistic, and with a celebrity angle as well. Seems like many of the shows are basically "Your Favorite Celeb Faces Their Shark Fears." There was a brief time some years ago when they were much more eco-conscious but that seems to have been toned down. At least it's not as bad as when they first started which was basically "The Only Good Shark Is a Dead Shark." You can check out their schedule here: https://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/shark-week/ .
JAWS AT THE BOWL - Of course, none of this dampened my enthusiasm for going to the Hollywood Bowl Friday night for the screening of "Jaws" where the music track is played live by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Not only was the weather perfect, but the crowd was really into the film and we got a lot of good comments on our shark-specific attire for the evening:
And on that'll do it for this week. Have a great week and let's go diving soon!!!
- Ken
