Top Island Econauts Dive Club; Box 48; Port McNeill; V0N 2R0; 250- 956-3525 1 EMERALD EXPRESSIONS - JUNE I am sitting here admiring a gorgeous blue sky and hoping the winds die down for tomorrow’s dive. Is it really too much to hope for - blue skies and no wind? Now that June is here, I am looking forward to some warm summer weekends and amazing diving. Last weekend at Plumper Pass, I saw my first octopus that was out in the open, not hiding in a crevice. Unfortunately, our flashlights had died so we didn’t get a good look at his colour! He was most cooperative for two curious divers! MAY LONG WEEKEND DIVE EXTRAVAGANZA! Everyone involved in our Telegraph Cove May Long Weekend deserves a huge pat on the back! Weather glitch aside, it seemed to be a big success. Thanks to all who purchased tickets for our raffle, and thanks yet again to sponsors who donated the many prizes. Saturday night dinner was delish, as always! We are so grateful for the many divers who travel to join us for this weekend. Diving is great, but adding the camaraderie of a large group of divers getting together makes it a very special weekend. Thanks to all! An Important Message from a Raffle Winner Mo Morrough, Fellow Diver – by Jacqui Engel I was delighted and touched at this year’s MLW Dive Extravaganza to win the Mo Morrough framed print, generously and anonymously donated by a friend and fan of Mo’s . Thank you! Mo Morrough: 1928-2003, is remembered each year by many divers and friends. She was a well-respected diver and underwater photographer, with the Underwater BC Photography Society and the North Shore Photography Club. She celebrated her 75th birthday with us in 2002 at the May Long Weekend, and I believe it was also her 3000th dive! I only met Mo a few times, but each time I was enchanted with her acerbic wit, and her passion for diving. The first year she was on the Emerald Express where I was deckhand, we had a good laugh when she asked Captain Sean to pick her up and throw her in the water! Apparently rolling off the boat was a bit troublesome, as the dive gear weighed more than she did. Mo had had a car accident just before this time, and having climbed up the bank uninjured, returned the next day to rescue her license plate, which read “DIVER”. Mo’s last trip was to Papau, New Guinea in 2003. She descended with her camera and did not surface. Mo was 75, and still working as a physiotherapist. North East Pearce was one of Mo’s favorite dive sites, and as a tribute to her love of diving at this spot, our dive club sank a beautiful metal rock fish memorial, made by Sean, in her honor. It is in the kelp bed, just off the wall. So, thank you Mo, for your inspiration, and your fine example that age doesn’t have to hinder your passions in life. I am grateful to have met you and honored to have your photograph in my home. “Mo Morrough, Fellow Diver” Jacqui Engel Regalia Just in case you don’t already have one of these highly prized items, Top Island Econaut logo-ed ball caps and flat top toques are available for sale. Cost for each is $20.00. Contact Fran at 250-956-3620. http://www.earthlingenterprises.ca/Econauts/Regalia.html Continuing Dive Education A REMINDER FOR THOSE DIVERS INTERESTED…..Steve Lacasse, of SunFun Divers, has yet another course coming up! In June, Steve is going to be offering an SSI Stress and Rescue course, known in other dive orgs. as Rescue Diver. This will be comprised of book work, pool training, first aid and oxygen therapy, as well as ocean dives. The SSI Stress and Rescue Diver course is a prerequisite for dive training beyond the Advanced Open Water level. Please contact Steve if you are interested in this course, or would like to participate to refresh your rescue skills. SunFun Divers – 250-956-2243! So far, Jacqui, Judd, Garth, Gord, and Fran have expressed interest. Join us, and let’s make a good group of it! Next Dive Meeting There will not be a dive meeting in July or August unless needed, so the next club meeting will be September 4th at 7:30 at NISS. All welcome to attend. Upcoming Dives and Events We are hoping for a dive in Port Alice the weekend of July 6th or 7th. It would be nice to turn this into a get-together pot-luck picnic affair! If you can join us, please contact Fran at 250-956-3620 and cross your fingers for nice weather! Also, over the summer there are some very small tidal exchanges happening so that opens up the possibility of some dive sites we don’t get to dive very often. Be sure to check the website for dives and exchanges, and don’t forget to be in touch with Andy at the phone number below. Top Island Econauts Dive Club; Box 48; Port McNeill; V0N 2R0; 250- 956-3525 3 Note: For the following dates, in order to reduce the number of dives cancelled due to weather, we will try to dive on the Saturday. If the Saturday dive is blown-out, we will attempt the Sunday dive. Remember, call Andy by Wednesday to sign up / confirm participation – 250-956-4902. http://www.earthlingenterprises.ca/Econauts/Dives__Events.html June 10 (Sunday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 1:40; E - F; 10’ ________________ June 16 (Saturday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 2:45; F - E; 4’ OR June 17 (Sunday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 3:15; F - E; 4.5’ ________________ June 23 (Saturday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 11:10; E - F; 11’ OR June 24 (Sunday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 12:00; E - F; 10.5’ ________________ June 30 (Saturday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 1:10; F - E; 5’ OR July 1 (Sunday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 2:00; F - E; 6’ ________________ July 7 (Saturday) - Port Alice Potluck and Dive; details to follow OR July 8 (Sunday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 12:10; E - F; 11’ ________________ July 14 (Saturday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 2:00; F - E; 2.5’ OR July 15 (Sunday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 2:40; F - E; 3.5’ ________________ July 21 (Saturday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 10:10; E - F; 12’ OR July 22 (Sunday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 10:50; E - F; 11.5’ ________________ July 28 (Saturday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 12:30; F - E; 4’ OR July 29 (Sunday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 1:15 Sept. F - E 4.5’ ________________ August 4 (Saturday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 10:15; E - F; 12.5’ OR August 5 (Sunday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 11:00; E - F; 12’ ________________ August 11 (Saturday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 12:30; F - E; 2’ OR August 12 (Sunday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 1:30; F - E; 2’ ________________ August 18 (Saturday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 9:15; E - F; 12’ OR August 19 (Sunday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 9:50; E - F; 12.5’ ________________ August 25 (Saturday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 1:00; F - E; 3.5’ OR August 26 (Sunday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 12:10; F - E; 3.5’ ________________ Sept. 1 (Saturday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 9:15; E - F; 12’ OR Sept. 2 (Sunday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 10:00; E - F; 11.5’ OR Sept. 3 (Monday) - Departure from Telegraph Cove at 10:40; E - F; 10.5’ ________________ September 4th (Tuesday) - Monthly meeting; 7:30 PM. ________________ Top Island Econauts Dive Club; Box 48; Port McNeill; V0N 2R0; 250- 956-3525 Current Executive President: Jackie Hildering Vice President: Gord Jenkins Secretary: Jacqui Engel Treasurer: Garth Jickling Directors (two year term) – Ken Kollman, Fran Jenkins Directors (one year term remaining) – Lee Ann Watson, Natasha Dickinson The role of the executive is to serve the Club and its members. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please free to contact an executive member! HAVE A WONDERFUL, SAFE SUMMER! SEE YOU OUT DIVING! 5