www.emeraldseadiveclub.org

In This Issue

Guest Speaker

Mike McGrath will speak on the sixgill shark project at the Seattle Aquarium

Every Diver has a story. What’s yours?

As much as you might love it you can’t argue that diving is a convenient pastime. You can’t wake up on a Saturday morning and decide to go for a 45-minute dive before the kids wake up as you can with running or bicycling. Maybe you’ve thought of calling a friend to meet you in 10 minutes for a quick dive but it’s not as easy as you can with going out for a quick bite.

To stay active in diving you’ve got to commit some money, some time and some effort in planning. Scuba diving leads to bigger things and most often it’s a way for us to learn something about ourselves. For many, it’s a way to connect with friends and family and to forge new unexpected relationships. For others it’s about the journey into an inaccessible world. For some it’s about overcoming fears and attaining personal goals. Whatever your reasons we want to hear your story about the incredible odds you over came to make your dream dive. We want to hear the tale of how diving opened your eyes to a new realm of possibilities that sent you down an unexpected path or on a voyage to self-discovery. In short, we want to know how diving has changed your life and the lives of other divers around you. Most of all, I want to know you. And I would love to hear your best stories.

Please take a few moments to jot down your adventure then e-mail it to David Ripley, the editor. We look forward to reading your story in the upcoming months.

If you have not been to a dive club meeting February is an excellent time to join us. I am personally inviting you to join in, bring a guest, meet dive buddies, sign up for those up coming dives, and pay your dues! Got air?

As was the case last year I am asking that all contributors submit their articles, columns, etc. by the following dates:

February 21—for the March newsletter

March 28—for the April newsletter

April 25—for the May newsletter

May 23—for the June newsletter

June 27—for the July newsletter

July 25—for the August newsletter

August 29—for the September newsletter

September 26—for the October newsletter

October 24—for the November newsletter

November 28—for the December newsletter

Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to submit articles about their dives or any diving or club related topic.

Question: Is their any interest in having a column in which members could post dive gear they have for sale/trade or post items that you are looking for—at a good price? If so, bring it up at the January meeting for discussion.

Open to all members of the ESDC.

Each member may submit one photograph per month during 2005.

Bring them to the club meetings where they will be displayed for all to see.

May also display entries on web site. Details to be worked out.

Considering top three for yet to be announced but undoubtedly spectacular prizes to be awarded at the Christmas Party.

Also considering creating a calendar for 2006 using the top twelve photographs.

In order to open the competition to more members, photographs may be of above water (diving related) subjects as well as underwater subjects.

Voting to be done by all members of ESDC casting one vote each for their top twelve choices.

Deadline for submissions is October 5, 2005.

If you have questions, comments or suggestions contact David Ripley at the club meeting

or at esdcnewsletter@mindspring.com

It’s All About Me—Introductions from the new board members

President: Loogpla Cowden

I am a rescue diver. I started to REALLY dive at age 29. As of today I’ve made 680 dives. I am proud to be a member of the Emerald Sea Dive Club. I am very active, and I have served as the club vice president, historian/ secretary and as a greeter. I have hosted many dives, led trips, and pioneered dive excursions. I love diving in the Pacific Northwest, and am very excited to be in the dive master program for 2005. I own and operator a park & fly business at Sea-Tac Airport. I have twenty years experience in servicing my customers. When I’m not diving or working I like to participate in Landmark Education, which offers me training and development on a regular basis in my relationships. I look forward to meeting and diving with each and every one of you during my term as your president.

Secretary/Historian: Rose Lyn Tadlock

As a native Washingtonian growing up near the ocean, Hoods Canal and Puget Sound, I was inspired weekly by "The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau." I still recall the day when I first saw that HUGE fish on the cover of National Geographic (which I now know to be a harmless whale shark). Then came Jaws…I surmised that snow-skiing was just as good a way to spend my allowance.

But always up for trying something new, on holiday in Mexico, I saw a flyer for a resort course. After my first boat dive the next day, I felt compelled to learn scuba diving in English (mi espanol no es muy bueno).

Completing my open water last October, I wanted to join a club to learn more about the sport, and meet other divers. The ESDC website touted the Big Buddy program, so I sent in my money (and already I have been roped into writing up the notes for each meeting). I appreciate the opportunities I’ve had to dive with patient members (thanks Tina and Buck).

Since certification I have dove Edmonds, Alki, Sekiu, boat dives in Mexico and with Bandito Charters in Tacoma. A dry diver, I am looking forward to a March cruise with a group of friends to Belize, Cozumel and Grand Cayman.

If anyone’s up for Alki after work (or wants to play hooky in the afternoon), shoot me an e-mail the day before—I work in West Seattle! tadloro2002@yahoo.com

Did you know that when you show your ESDC membership card at Starfish Dive Shop you receive a 10% discount? Did you know that if you show your ESDC membership card at Northwest Sport Dive you get a free air fill? Be sure you have your ESDC membership card with you when you go shopping at dive shops—you just never know.

If other shops give you a discount please let us know and we will publish their name.

You could win a $50.00 ESDC check by hosting club dives. Every time you sponsor a club dive your name "goes into a hat" and twice a year a raffle will be held and one person from each drawing will receive $50.00 from ESDC as a Thank You for sponsoring dives, friendships, and fun! Remember, a club dive is a dive approved by Greg Becvar, Activities Coordinator, and placed on the clip-board and on the ESDC web site. This is a great way to meet club members and have lots of fun. Book your dives today! Remember: the more dives you book the more chances you have of winning.

When you take a class that furthers your diving experience, such as Advanced Open Water, Rescue, Dive Master, etc., show The Board your certification card and you will receive a congratulatory $15.00. This offer is only good one time per calendar year.

E-mail Jason Miller, our mailing list moderator, jason.t.miller@comcast.net

to be put on the ESCD yahoo group mailing list

(www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ESDClist) where you can communicate with other members regarding various dive topics, find dive buddies, or let everyone know about a

planned dive that did not make it to the newsletter or clipboard in time. Join the list so YOU won’t be left out!

Cheng-Hui Wong

Hello, triathlon partners:  Hope you all have had great Holidays.

It is about time to start our great New Year’s resolution for 2005 by starting this half (or quarter) triathlon practice.  The goal is to reach something "UNTHINKABLE".  Together we will make it happen!  Our target is to stay in shape, to have great time with great partners, to do it together and give a try on our endurance.

Here are the initial partners.

Loogpla Cowden

Skip Stacy

Jason Gonzalez

Linda Perry (phone no. 360-794-4829)

Cheng Wong

(Members from the Emerald Sea Dive Club)

Carol Kinney

Karen Schneider

Cheng Wong (double listed)

(Members from The Carol’s Book Club)

Bob Bailey

(Guest of both Clubs)

The store manager of Super Jock N Jill, Ty Whitten, will give us an hour long free presentation at the Super Jock N Jill store on a Tuesday between 6pm to 8pm, on what the event is about and how to prepare and equip for it in reality. We need to let Ty know when we can have all of our members come to the SJJ store at the same date/time.  I have marked my calendar for all Tuesday evenings for this event from today forward, and wish to see you all ASAP.

The store address is 7210 E. Green Lake Drive North, Seattle, WA 98115, Tel: 206-522-7711

I am honored to make this connection. Let us have a great time achieving something unthinkable.  You all have a great day and the weekend to come.     Cheng

I recently did two three-tank boat dives with Porthole Dive Charters and  both were totally awesome.  (Raven)  Visibility was a little less this time due to some flood conditions awhile back but it was still in the 15 foot plus range.  The Tacoma Narrows drift dive was the only dive we did not see any wolf-eels or octopus but the giant concrete anchor for Galloping Gertie had as many lingcod under it as the Edmonds Dry Dock and the tail-end of the dive was a relaxing glide thru growing kelp just big enough to grab and stop once in awhile.   As a new diver I did Tacoma Narrows as a shore dive and I vividly remember the struggle to get back to my rig from shore after the dive.  It’s a lot easier to dive under the bridge from something floating right there to pick you up again.  Sunrise Beach is also one of my favorites and this was my first boat dive there also.  What a relaxing way to see oodles of octopuses and wolf-eels and lingcod.    The rest of the sites (Day Island Wall, Dalco Wall, Z's Reef) were full of large octopuses and wolf-eels with one rather large octopus completely out in the open snoozing (or more probably it was frozen in camouflage from the medium sized lingcod perched about two feet above it waiting for something to get a bite out of.)  (Wendy-SSSSSNNNNNAAAARRRRFFFFFFFF) On the first trip I saw a really large (Really)  "GRAND DAD" wolf-eel with a scarred up head and a big chunk of skin from its jaw missing.  Something to see, an old dog of war of the sea.  I was hoping to see it the second trip but missed it somehow.  It’s kind of strange that I thought about it last night and wondered what it fought for and hoped it would outlive me so I could see it again.  I am ready to do this again and don't forget that Porthole Dive Charters will be taking us out to the dive sites at Neah Bay.   On-board warm water and a heated cabin is fast becoming one of life’s pleasures for this old fart.   Join us again.       

Come and dive with me at Hornby Island on Memorial Day weekend. Canada
always has great diving! If you don't know where Hornby Island is, it
is off the east side of Vancouver Island. We will be departing Friday
afternoon, May 27th, to arrive there on Friday night. We will have two
boat dives on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Night dives are available to do off
the shore. We will then depart Monday after the dives. There are lots
of other excursions to do on the island too. For more information, you
can go to http://www.hornbyislanddiving.com/ .
Package includes:
-2 boat dives/day
-Shore night dives
-Accommodations at the lodge
-All meals (The food is great!)
-Air fills, tanks and weights
There are only 14 spots available for this trip so don't wait to sign
up if you want to go. We are sharing this trip with some of our
friends from the Emerald Sea Dive Club. Cost for the trip is $555
Canadian plus 7% gst. $200 reserves your spot, balance due by May 1st.
If you have any questions or want to reserve your spot, contact me at
mooredi@earthlink.net or (206) 200-4685.

4820 196^th SW

Lynnwood WA

425-775-5459

Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.; everyone is welcome to join these meetings

General meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Heading north on I-5: take exit 181B (196^th St SW/Alderwood Mall Pkwy). At the top of the exit there is a stop light, turn left. At the next stop light turn left onto 196^th St SW proceeding to 48^th. Alfy’s is on the south side of the road. (Alfy’s is 4 blocks down from The Rock.)

Heading south on I-5: take exit number 181 (Lynnwood). At the top of the exit there is a stop light, turn right onto 196^th St SW, proceed to 48^th. Alfy’s is on the south side of the road. (Alfy’s is 4 blocks down from The Rock.)

President Loogpla Cowden loogplacowden@att.net

Vice-President Steve Berthinier resoyrua@verison.net

Secretary/historian Rose Lyn Tadlock tadloro2002@yahoo.com

Treasurer Cheng-Hui Wong chengwong@comcast.net

Activities Coordinator Greg Becvar tridoxia@yahoo.com

Newsletter Editor David Ripley esdcnewsletter@mindspring.com

Big Buddy Coordinator Sharan Smith sjsmith0@gte.net

Greeter Jared Averill jared_averill@hotmail.com

Web Master Phil Morgan-Ellis pmorg@olympus.net

Visit our web site: www.emeraldseadiveclub.org

Write us: Emerald Sea Dive Club

PO Box 73

Edmonds WA 98020

Contact any of the board members via telephone or e-mail www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ESDClist

₪ Greg Becvar

360-659-2853

tridoxia@yahoo.com

₪ Bruce Bury –PADI rescue

425-788-8063

bury1of6@aol.com

₪ Jason Miller –Rescue

425-778-7548

Jason.t.miller@comcast.net

₪ Skip Stacy – rainy days

425-775-2410

If you are interested in being included on this list please contact the editor.

DATE LOCATION HOST