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Talk to the dive chairs early. Please sign up in advance. All people who sign up are responsible for fees at the dive. People who don't sign up for the dive may be excluded from the dive and shunned for life. On camping trips, each diver is responsible for finding its own campsites. The chair will attempt to organize campsites, but no guarantees can be made. There is a $5 per day fee for use of the club boats. Personal flotation devices should be brought for all dives using club boats.
- Kevin Dalley <kevin@kelphead.org>, Thu Oct 2 14:27:53 2003
Campground reservations can be made ahead of time, with up to 3 vehicles per campground. Reservations can also be made by calling 1-800-444-PARK (7275).
The deposit to hold a space is $150. If you haven't put in your deposit yet, do so now! We currently have nine deposits and three more commitments for a count of twelve, but ideally we would like at least 15 participants, (our biggest costs are fixed, so if we get a few more people we all pay less), so let your dive buddies and friends know about this great trip! Non-divers are welcome and will truly enjoy the trip; we already have one non-diver signed up this year.
You can bring your checks to the July General Meeting. Please send us your deposit asap, so we can get an accurate count. The payment balance is due no later than August 15th.
When: September 6-13th, 2003 (Saturday to Saturday, partial week attendance OK). The Charter boat departs Marina del Rey at 8 a.m. sharp on September 6th and returns to Marina del Rey at approximately 1 p.m. on Sept. 13th.
What: Fantastic Diving, great scenery, adventure, eating, sleeping, camping (sort of), drinking, hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, star-gazing, music, card games, reading, relaxing, hot showers, photography, the best company, and just plain fun!
Where: Camp Emerald Bay, The West End, Santa Catalina Island. Catalina's West End offers incredible diving just minutes by zodiac from our camp dock. Last year we had vis that ranged from 40 to 80 feet, flat seas, warm topside weather, and saw all of the usual Catalina suspects (lobsters, rays, morays, Garibaldi, leopard sharks, reef fish, coral, kelp, sea fans, etc. etc., PLUS huge (and endangered) Black Sea Bass....The water is warmer than in Northern California, (but don't expect miracles) and you can choose from easy shore dives right in the cove at camp, or take a very short ride in a club inflatable to either easy, flat dives next to shore, or slightly more challenging (but world class) sites like Ship Rock or Bird Rock. Night diving is good right off the pier.
How Much: $675 Divers (approximate) and $600 Non-Divers (approximate) for the entire week! (Less for partial week attendance). For more information and special rules/costs applicable to those who come for a partial week and/or bring their own boat please contact the Trip Co-Leaders: Susan Carter and John Purnell.
The trip is run strictly on a break-even basis, and if the trip costs less than anticipated participants will receive a refund; last year's refund was approximately $50 per person. Trip deposits and balances are refundable in the event of cancellation received by the trip leaders prior to AUGUST 25, 2003. After August 25th the deposit of $150 is non-refundable (any balances above $150 paid will be refunded) but is transferable.
Trip costs include accommodations, three ample catered meals per day, all air fills, charter boat transportation R/T between Marina del Rey and Emerald Bay for you and as much stuff as you can fit in your car, 2 or more boat dives per day from club inflatables, unlimited shore diving, occasional night dives, and lots of fun! Even parking for the week in Marina del Rey will be free this year! Kayaks are available in camp for use at a nominal fee. Costs not included in the total are transportation to and from Los Angeles/Marina del Rey (carpooling encouraged), hotel room 9/5/03 in Marina del Rey if desired, personal diving gear (if you don't own you need to rent, including tanks and weights), and adult beverages. If you are willing to haul a club inflatable and/or engine, you get a further break on the cost: call the trip Co-Chairs if you are willing.
Accommodations are in wooden floor tents, although some real cabins with electricity will probably be available at a higher cost (let us know if you are interested). There are bathrooms with outdoor (but enclosed) hot showers next to the sleeping areas, and electricity and a secured camera battery re-charge area in the main lodge for photo buffs. The camp is huge and there is plenty of privacy if you want it. No need to share your tent cabin unless you want to do so! There is also a large walk-in refrigerator and an ice-maker in the lodge and divers are encouraged to bring their favorite beers, wines, sodas, snacks to share at happy hour and other beverages, adult and otherwise, of choice.
It is highly recommended to rent any needed gear for the week BEFORE coming to Catalina: there is only one dive shop on the West End and selection is limited. Air fills are done for us in camp; tanks MUST be in current Hydro and Vis to be filled! We will prepare a complete list of suggested items to take to Catalina and send it to all participants, and publish it in the August Blurb.
And a last minute update: We have received good news from the Boy Scouts about the contract negotiation process for our accommodations at Emerald Bay! The LA office will no longer handle that process and they have turned it over to Camp Ranger Brian Pierce and his wife Judy, who are writing up our agreement to send to us as we speak. Those of you who know Ranger Brian and Judy (true friends of Alacosta Divers!) and who are familiar with past delays in getting the paperwork will understand that this should make the whole process much smoother and easier, both this year and into the future. Future trip Chairs, take note! :)
Join us September 6-13!
blurb@alacosta.org