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Program for September 1
A Trip To the Philippines
with Linda Ianniello
 Our speaker for our September 1st meeting is Linda Ianniello. Both Under Sea Adventurers and South Florida Underwater Photography Society can boast that they have Linda in their membership. Linda is a Hall of Fame member for her many years of service on the board of USA Dive Club. One of her past programs on nudibranchs remains one of my favorites. I had a great time diving with her in Curacao. Not too many divers wanted to do a night dive but Linda did a dive on the house reef every night. This worked out very well for me as I had promised my husband not to dive alone, especially on night dives.
Linda has been diving and taking pictures underwater for 25 years, diving locally almost every weekend and taking at least one trip to the Pacific and one to the Caribbean each year, and has logged over 2500 dives. Her main interest is photographing macro subjects, where the challenge is both finding the subject then shooting it. She started with a Nikonos V camera and then migrated to a housed SLR and now to housed digital SLR cameras. She is currently shooting with a Nikon D300 in a Nauticam housing and a ring flash. Her images have been used by several scientists, and appear in the Caribbean Sea Slugs book and on the Sea Slug Forum.
A Trip to the Philippines
 ”Bob and I have been to several locations in Indonesia, so for 2011 we decided to try something different and I planned a three-week trip to two areas in the Philippines. I really wanted to go to Anilao, which is supposed to be the “nudibranch capital” and for that location picked Club Ocellaris based on recommendations on Wetpixel. Then I looked for another dive area in the vicinity and chose the Atlantis Resort in Puerto Galera as the second location.
Club Ocellaris is very basic, with room for about 18 divers. Most dive sites were 20 to 40 minutes from the resort, and for most dives the boat was anchored, but there was no current so it was not an issue. We could generally stay down as long as we wanted, but the water was 77 degrees (about 5 degrees colder than normal for that time of year) so I limited most dives to about one hour and did only three dives a day, two in the morning and a night dive, then spent the afternoon getting warm. (Bob generally just did the morning dives.)
As expected, Club Ocellaris’ guides were focused on finding nudibranchs, and there were very few fish. Every year a group of scientists go there from California for a month, looking for new species to collect and then identify. Of course the only ones that remain undescribed are tiny, so the guides turn over rocks looking for new nudis, which I called “specks” and dutifully tried to photograph. The night dives were more varied, so then I photographed everything we found, and I especially enjoyed one site, The Pier, which is a lot like the Blue Heron Bridge.
After 8 days of diving there, we transferred by boat to Atlantis Resort in Puerto Galera for seven days of diving. Atlantis Resort was the exact opposite – larger (40 rooms), and very organized and regimented. I was worried about being lost in the crowd, but the staff was absolutely excellent. Unfortunately, the water was no warmer so again I started out with three dives per day, including the night dive, with Bob doing two. The last three days we added an afternoon dive, and of course I caught a cold but by then was heading home.
In Puerto Galera the dive sites were 5 to 10 minutes from the resort, and we did mainly drift dives on both reefs and muck sites. We also did the day trip to Verde Island which was three dives on beautiful walls with good visibility. There were more fish in this area but they weren’t especially friendly or easy to photograph.
So come to the next meeting and hear more about diving in the Philippines and see some of the photo subjects I found there.”
Linda Ianniello
Sea you there?
Glada Blench
VP of Programs
programs@usadiveclub.com
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 Goliath Groupers were called Jewfish when I certified to dive in 1978. Somewhere along the line someone decided to change the name, but that change did nothing to change this magnificent fish. No matter what they are called, they are still giants and an absolutely marvelous creatures. Every year about this time, they tend to congregate at certain parts of the world to spawn and make more little Goliath Groupers. One part of the world where they do this is a wreck off Boynton Beach called the Castor. On August 15th, a group of us booked an outing on the Starfish Enterprise, one of USA's favorite dive operators out of Boynton Beach. Well, neither the Starfish nor the Goliaths disappointed us. We were put down on the wreck and there were absolutely too many to count. They were scattered all over and around the wreck, but mostly off the bow. Estimates were from 25 to 40, but no way could I count them. Any way you slice it, there were a lot of Goliath Groupers. If you have never had the pleasure and or adventure of seeing this exciting happening, I highly encourage you to do so. No one knows why they gather here to do their business and no one knows when they may decide to leave. Or some act of nature may come along and obliterate the wreck. Last time I saw the Castor, it was all in one piece, this time, in pieces, albeit, large pieces. But it is still another piece of paradise in South Florida the we and the USA dive club call our home.
On a more serious note, since I have become President, some of you and come to me with some club issues that are important to you. I thank you for bringing them to my attention. One is the current policy of strictly adhering to the 12 month time frame on our USA local dive coupons. When I was last President the first time, lo some years ago, we made the decision not to do that, and I guess that for those many years they were all honored. Apparently that policy has recently changed, unbeknownst to me and I guess quite a few of you. I do not know how this will be resolved, but I will work with the board at our next meeting and I assure you that we will come up with a fair and equitable solution for all of us. And we will publish what that solution is.
Thanks to those who have brought you issues to me, and feel free to continue to do so and I will work with our board of directors to handle them.
And again, I thank you for your confidence and support!
And if YOU miss it, YOU will MISS IT!!!
Larry Townsend, your President for the remainder of 2011
President
president@usadiveclub.com
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Local Diving
 August was a great month for diving with the ocean temperature registering at 85 degrees. Since it was the first day of lobster season we had a full boat going out of Boynton Beach with Pelican Dive Charters. Even though lobsters weren’t in abundance as previous years, we did bring at least 18 lobsters on board, leaving plenty of females with eggs behind. Catching the biggest lobster was Clare who won 1st prize. 2nd Prize went to Nils for netting the most lobsters.
The weather forecast at the beginning of the week threatened a tropical storm hitting the coast of Florida. We all thought our opening day of lobster season trip would be canceled. To our luck it stalled out Friday afternoon and the Saturday trip was scheduled to go. The day turned out sunny with less than 2ft seas. Lunch was enjoyed as usual at the Grumpy Grouper Restaurant.
See Photo Gallery for more Local Diving pictures.
FOR A LIST OF UP COMING DIVES, CLICK HERE FOR USA’s ‘LOCAL DIVING’ PAGE.
Kathy & John Ficarra
VP’s of Local Diving
localdiving@usadiveclub.com
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Social Activities
 Greetings from USA’s Social Butterflies.
Look in this space next month for our reports on Adopt-a-Street and Wine County Safari.
There is barely time, but you can still sign up for these two upcoming events by sending an email to Social@usadiveclub.com. Details are below:
Coming Attractions
Adopt-A-Street
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Want to get to know some fellow
USA Dive Club members?
That’s easy. Just sign up for this event.
Participating in USA’s Adopt-A-Street program is the easiest way to meet people. Mark your calendar for our next quarterly Adopt-A-Street cleanup in Deerfield Beach, scheduled to take place on Sunday morning, August 28th, at 9:00 AM. Early birds may wish to join LT’s Breakfast Club, 7:00 AM, at the nearby Cracker Barrel.
After the cleanup, we’ll have our group lunch at Muddy Waters Restaurant and Raw Bar located just a short distance from USA’s Adopt-A-Street site.
The Adopt-A-Street program gives us the opportunity to keep our streets clean and have a great time doing it. It’s a fact that, sooner or later, much of the trash on our streets finds its way into Florida’s canals and waters offshore. This is our way of helping the environment.
Wine Country Safari
Saturday Evening, September 3, 2011
6:00 PM
Dinner & Wine Tasting
Saturday evening, September 3rd, join USAers and guests for our Wine Country Safari, a wine tasting at The Best Cellar in Wilton Manors, preceded by a group dinner at Kyojin Japanese Seafood Buffet located just a short distance from our wine tasting venue.
The Kyojin is upscale and features a 120-ft. long buffet. There is something here for everyone, whether a seafood lover or landlubber. The Kyojin Seafood Buffet is ALL YOU CAN EAT for $19.95 and payable at the restaurant. The winetasting at The Best Cellar is an unbelievable bargain at $15.00 – cash only please – payable at the door.
Watch future newsletters and emails for additional information on all planned USA Dive Club activities. Our social events are open to all USA club members and their guests. So, why wait?
Sign up for a social event, get to know your fellow USAers, and let the fun begin!
A USA Dive Club thought.
It’s not about the event.
It’s about the camaraderie of being with people we know and enjoy.
Future social events include:
- Aug 28 (Sunday) – Adopt-A-Street Cleanup – Deerfield Beach
- Sep 3 (Saturday) – Wine Country Safari – Wilton Manors
- Nov 12 (Saturday) – USA’s 40th Anniversary Party & Reunion at Ellie’s 50’s Diner, Delray Beach
DINNER BEFORE THE MEETING:
Pick up your favorite meal, i.e., a sub, sandwich or pizza at your local Publix, Subway or Papa Johns and join USA’s Social Butterflies in the Newport Café located in the Best Western Deerfield Beach Hotel & Suites @ 6:00 pm. If you’d like to bring something from home, that’s OK, too.
Everyone seems to enjoy the atmosphere and camaraderie.
Try it... you’ll like it! C’mon down and we’ll save y’all a seat.
Clare Anthon & Julie Manhold
VP’s of Social Events
social@usadiveclub.com
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Hospitality Hut
 Greetings from USA’s Hospitality Hut.
At the August general meeting, the Hut had another “full house”.
Member Jeanne Belus brought guest Sam Consoli to his first club meeting. Sam was certified in 1985 and is an Advanced Open Water diver.
Oscar Crisanto, husband of member Sarah Cristano, came for a visit. Oscar is not a diver however, he enjoys snorkeling.
It was a pleasure to meet Roger Galvin. Roger was referred by a friend. He is a Master Diver certified in 1986.
Joshua Grantham, friend of returning guest Michael Grandinetti, was introduced next. This was Joshua’a first meeting and it was Michael’s second meeting. Josh was certified in 2005 and has logged 50 dives. Michael was been diving since 1986 and has approximately 300 dives.
Thanks to the Internet, Anatol (Nat) Mysen attended his first meeting. Nat is a Master Diver and received his certification in 2006. Nat has submitted his completed membership application and has sent it in along with his dues. Welcome Nat.
Mark McAlpin, owner of Fill Express, attended his second meeting and has also submitted a completed membership application along with his dues. A warm welcome to Mark.
Co-VP of Local Diving, John Ficarra invited Hope Wilkos to the USA Dive Club. John met Hope on a recent dive with South Florida Diving Headquarters. Hope has been diving since 1999, was certified in Pompano Beach, and has logged 76 dives as an Advanced Open Water diver.
A warm welcome and thank you is extended our newcomers and returning guests.
Why not visit our home page www.usadiveclub.com and click on the calendar button to keep up to date on all the diving and non-diving scheduled activities. You may also take a look at the photo gallery and see all the fun we have.
Happy diving to you all.
Clare Anthon & Julie Manhold
Hospitality Coordinators
hospitality@usadiveclub.com
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Membership
 USA’s Membership Directory is updated with the addition of each new member. Members are provided updated Membership Directory copies at the end of each calendar quarter.
USA’s 3rd quarter Membership Directory will be distributed by e-mail to all USA Dive Club members on September 30. When it arrives in your mailbox, please look at your personal information. Send any updates to Membership@usadiveclub.com.
If you lose your copy, or simply need extra copies, click here.
We had a rip-roaring good time inducting seven new members into the Club at the August 4th meeting.
Don Chalaire is a Nitrox open water diver whose most memorable dive was in the Bahamas. He was a guest of Hall of Fame member, Marie York. Besides diving, Don’s other interests include snow skiing and sailing on his private sailboat.
Sarah Crisanto found our Club on the Internet. Sarah is a rescue diver who looks forward to dive the Great Barrier Reef someday. She also loves to shop and has a passion for animals.
Joe Crockett also browsed the Internet for a dive club. Joe made his first open water dive as a non-student with the USA Dive Club. He also plays golf, runs and enjoys mountain biking.
Nancy Finchell and Gregg O’Farrell have been recently certified as advanced open water divers and also enjoy skiing, hiking and tennis.
Dave Goetz visited our booth at the Florida Dive show last December. Dave has many certifications, but is most proud of the fact that he is now certified to teach handicapped persons to dive. Dave is an avid spearfisherman.
Carly Sax has an advanced open water certification. Carly, like Dave, enjoys spearfishing. Her most memorable dive is flying with eagle rays in the Florida Keys. Carly also bicycles and edits film.
If your USA Dive Club membership has expired, and you wish to renew your membership, simply submit a New Member Application, along with appropriate pro-rated membership dues, and a $10 New Member Initiation Fee.
Under USA’s newly revised Dive Trip Guidelines, trip priority is established based on ‘current continuous years’ of USA Dive Club membership. Therefore, it is important for members to renew their dive club membership annually, without a break in membership.
Encourage friends and fellow divers to join USAers for all club activities. Folks don’t need to be USA members to participate in USA Dive Club functions. Guests are always welcome if a USA member accompanies them.
People interested in joining the USA Dive Club will find membership applications available by clicking on the link appearing below.
MEMBERSHIP PACKET
Warm diving regards,
Julie Manhold
Membership Coordinator
membership@usadiveclub.com
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Promotions
 Hi y’all from the Promotions Desk of USA Dive Club.
USA’s Lobster Pot 50/50 winners have been taking home over $50 cash at monthly dive club meetings.
That’s a better return on your hard-earned money than most banks offer.
Each month we offer a variety of Lobster Pot prizes, many donated by South Florida dive shops.
Congratulations to all our Lobster Pot winners. Be sure and drop in to see our local dive shops who support us and say ‘Thanks’.
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August Lobster Pot Winners
- 50/50 Lobster Pot $107 - Jeff Jacobs
- $20 local dive coupon - Chary Lynn
- $20 local dive coupon - Alan Feuerman
- Starfish Enterprise T-Shirt - Mike Grandinetti
- $25 Store Coupon from Force-E - Bob Weybrecht
- $20 Air Card from Fill Express - Jeff Jacobs
- Force-E Whistle - Carly Sax
- 49 Ford from Ken Bergner - Joshua Grantham
- Underwater Photo Book from Reef Photo - Dave Goetz
- Florida Dive Locations Book from Ray McAllister - Carly Sax
- DAN luggage tags - Nancy Finchell
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If you did not contribute, then you could not have won!
Our 50/50 Lobster Pot has grown to levels unheard of in the history of the USA Dive Club. This is good news for the winners and for our dive club. I thank you and the club thanks you. Let’s keep it up!
And, as I always say, ‘If U miss it, U will miss it!
Larry Townsend
Promotions Coordinator
promotions@usadiveclub.com
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Safety
 Hope everyone is enjoying the jellyfish that have retired and moved to Florida. Here are the answers from last month's questions.
1. How often should you take your scuba tank to be visually inspected by a dive center? ANSWER: Once a year
2. If you & your buddy were separated under water, what would you do? ANSWER: Search for a minute underwater; then go up & find your buddy
3. What is the most important feature of a scuba regulator? ANSWER: How easy it is to breathe from
Here are the questions for this month:
1. Waving your arms at the surface indicates?
2. How does a proper fitting wet suite keep you warm?
3. Most injuries caused by aquatic animals happen because?
Let's try something different this month. Please email your answers to me.
safety@usadiveclub.com
Have fun with these. Remember safe diving is no accident.
Paul A. Molinari
Safety Coordinator
safety@usadiveclub.com
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Overseas Diving
USA Dive Club Overseas Diving program
2012
Exotic Trip, July 2012 Philippines:
Atmosphere Resort and Siren Liveaboard: Southern Visayas/Cebu/Bohol/Dumaguete/Apo
The Atmosphere resort is a new upscale resort that comes highly recommended. Resort is located at Dumaguete on Negron Island. For the land based part of the trip at the resort there are 3 options:
- 5 nights (3 diving days); departing Saturday July 7
- 7 nights (5 diving days); departing July 5
- 10 nights (8 diving days); departing July 2
Siren is a relatively new upscale fleet; this is our first club trip on Siren. The liveaboard is mostly on Cebu’s East side. The boat dates are July 14-21. The map is only for reference (our trip is custom: 7 nights), most days 4 dives a day
We fly in and out of Manila; we should be back in US and Florida on 7/22.
Both from the resort and for the liveaboard, we have the option of doing the Apo Island
Click here for more information on Philippines diving.
Click here for Registration Form.
http://www.Atmosphereresorts.com
http://worldwidediveandsail.com/ourboats/sy-philippinesiren.html
http://worldwidediveandsail.com/liveaboard-diving/3/174.html
NOTE: THE GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING PRIORITY FOR OVERSEAS DIVING TRIPS WERE REVISED BY THE USA BOARD ON MAY 12, 2011. CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE REVISED GUIDELINES (see SECTION VIII). THESE REVISED GUIDELINES APPLY TO THE PHILLIPINES TRIP. (CLICK HERE FOR A MORE DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE STATUS OF THE GUIDELINE REVISION.)
USA Dive Club Overseas Diving program
2011
USA DIVE CLUB REVISITS LITTLE CAYMAN, JUNE 2011
For trip report click here
Saba/St. Kitts
Liveaboard
The Caribbean Explorer II
Luxury Dive Vessel
www.explorerventures.com/cexp2/index.html
A Three-Island Tour
with
The Most Unique Itinerary of Live-aboard Diving
October 8-15, 2011
Trip is full - standby list only
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The Saba/St. Kitts live-aboard dive vacation is now full. Unfortunately, we are limited to a maximum of 18 passengers.
If you are interested in going on this trip, please add your name
to the wait list. Placing your name on the wait list is FREE.
No deposit is required unless you are selected to replace
a trip participant who cancels.
If you have questions, or would like the names of USAers and guests going on the Saba/St. Kitts trip, click here to contact Trip Leader Julie Manhold.
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Eighteen lucky USAers will be traveling to Saba/St. Kitts to experience an 8-day, 7-night liveaboard diving adventure aboard the Caribbean Explorer II. Julie Manhold is the trip leader. We have reserved the entire boat for USAers. A Full Moon dive is scheduled for Wednesday evening, October 12th. There are eight staterooms, all with private vanities, air conditioning and toilet facilities.
What’s a liveaboard? Just the most relaxing dive vacation you’ll ever experience. NO SCHLEPPING of dive gear. After you embark, set up your tank just once… that’s it. When not in use, your other gear is stowed in your private gear locker right under your seat. Wet suits are hung to dry. And you don’t have to switch over tanks. Your tank is refilled right where you left it. Warm showers and towels are offered after each of the 27 dives made available to you. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are expertly prepared as are the in-between snacks presented at the end of each dive.
What do you do between dives? RELAX… sunbathe, fill in your log book, read that novel you didn’t have time to read at home, take a nap, get to know your fellow USAers a little better while raving about the last dive. Your time is your own. Perhaps a land tour would be nice. If you’re not planning to make the night dive, enjoy a glass of wine with dinner.
With the exception of the airfare, this is an all-inclusive vacation. Includes 27 boat dives, all meals and beverages, gratuities, port tax, fuel surcharge, airport transfers, departure tax and free NITROX. We will be on our own Friday evening for dinner. We’re even throwing in the T-shirt to let the world know you’ve ‘been there and done that’.
Travel will be simple. On Saturday, October 8th, we fly nonstop from Miami to St. Maarten and then take ground transportation a short distance to the boat. While we sleep, we cruise to Saba where the diving begins. We then island hop and dive our way to St. Kitts where we disembark the following Saturday, October 15th, and fly home direct from St. Kitts to Miami.
You have the opportunity to make 27 dives on this expedition: 2 morning dives, 2 afternoon dives, and 1 night dive each evening. NITROX is free.
The Northeastern Caribbean is an intriguing area offering a blend of Dutch, British, French and native cultures on the most scenic islands in the Caribbean. Our unique itinerary will combine diving and optional land tours.
Saba is known for its submerged offshore pinnacles. The abrupt topography above the sea is mirrored below and the profusion of marine life attests to the early institution of the Saba Marine Park in 1987.
Underwater pinnacles -- spires of the same volcanic rock that makes up the island -- jut up from the deep blue and overflow with marine life. At Third Encounter, a notable pinnacle dive site, the surrounding deep water makes sightings of sharks and other pelagics common. Just a short swim away, an eerie spire called the Needle, not more than 30 feet wide at its apex, rises 250 feet and points up from the depths like Neptune's finger.
 St. Kitts offers arguably the widest variety of sites - finger reefs, recent wrecks, and a variety of drop-offs that will capture your imagination.
When you purchase your own airfare departing from Miami, price for this trip is approximately $2,850. Book your own air travel.
Questions? Click here to contact trip leader Julie Manhold by e-mail.
Nils Jacobsen
VP Overseas Diving
overseasdiving@usadiveclub.com
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USA Calendar
- Thursday, Sept 1st - Regular Monthly meeting @ 7:30 pm
Best Western Deerfield Hotel & Suites
1050 E Newport Center Drive
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
- Saturday, Sept 3rd - Wine Country Safari
Kyojin Buffet @ 6:00pm
3485 N. Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306
http://kyojinbuffet.com/index.html
then
The Best Cellar @ 8:00pm
1408 NE 26 St.
Wilton Manors, FL 33305
http://www.beaconmgmt.com/rsfwt/
- Thursday, Sept 8th - USA Board Meeting @ 7:00 pm
The Ficarra’s
- Sunday, Sept 11th - USA local dive @ 8:00am
Two tank Drift Dive with Starfish Enterprise out of Boynton Beach.
www.idivestarfish.com
- Saturday, Sept 24th - USA local dive @ 8:00am
Two tank Drift Dive with Starfish Enterprise out of Boynton Beach.
www.idivestarfish.com
- Saturday, Nov 12th - USA’s 40th Anniversity Party and Reunion
Ellies 50;s Diner @ TBD
Delray Beach
Click on USA’s calendar to view all future events.
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Contact Information
Under Sea Adventurers Dive Club web site: www.usadiveclub.com
Meetings: First Thursday of each month at:
Best Western Deerfield Beach Hotel & Suites
1050 E. Newport Center Drive, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
BYO Dinner: 6:00; Social: 7:00 pm; Meeting: 7:30 pm
Board of Directors
Membership Dues - $40 yearly; $70 for married USA Dive Club member couples
Download the Membership Packet from our website
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All information and images are property of ©2011 Under Sea Adventurers Dive Club
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