NZ Dolphin Underwater &
Adventure Club
October 2014 Newsletter
Next Club Meeting
Wed. 8th October 7:30pm
Guest Speaker:
Martin Saggers
Gt.Barrier Reef, Heron Is.
Plus 60th job allocations
Venue: Club Rooms
Northcote Rd Extn Lake Pupuke
Takapuna
www.dolphinunderwater.org
Club’s Mail Address:
14 Gails Drive, Okura
RD2 Albany
Ph/Fax: 09 473 8069
Mob: 0274 839 839
Email: marg.howard@xtra.co.nz
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: 2014/2015
President/Editor
Denis Adams
444 0501
triden@clear.net.nz
Vice-President/Web/PR
Richard Biddle
022 018 6968
richardbiddle@gmail.com
Secretary/Treasurer
Margaret Howard
473 8069 Ph/Fax
marg.howard@xtra.co.nz
Sec/Treasurer backup
Trish Mahon-Adams 444 0501
t.triden@gmail.com
Web Site
John Freeman
478 4958
johnf@witblitz.net
Dive Trips Organisers
Situations Vacant
Adventure Trips
Martin Saggers
410 2363
saggersmar1@orcon.net.nz
Kate Ellis
410 2363
kate65nz@orcon.net.nz
Entertainment
Tom Butler
624 3505
trbutler@xtra.co.nz
Past President
Steve Boundford
O/seas
Clubroom Management
Denis Adams
0275 970 922
triden@clear.net.nz
Life & Honorary Members
Barry Barnes – Life
Reg Lawson - Life
Graham Thumah – Honorary
Peter & Margaret Howard – Life
Roberto Tonei – Life
Tony & Jenny Enderby - Honorary
Brian Horton – Life
Dave Quinlan – Life
Eileen Slark – Honorary
Cover Page Photo: Our 50th Anniversary cake by Denis
What will the 60th Anniversary cake be like?
Dolphin Underwater and Adventure Club Trips & Social Events Coming Up
8th October – Wednesday – 7.30pm - Dive Club Meeting - Club Rooms - Northcote Road Extension 7.30pm – Martin Saggers trip on the Great Barrier Reef – Heron Island.
18th October – 60th Anniversary of the NZ Dolphin Underwater and Adventure Club – To be held at the
Milford Cruising Club – if you know the whereabouts of past Members or divers that would like to attend,
please email me their details. Some great guest speakers already lined up. The 50th Anniversary in 2004 was
a great event that brought divers from all over.
20th October – Monday - 9:30am – 5pm – Auckland War Memorial Museum – Auditorium on the Horizon:
Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Seminar – See details in September newsletter.
24th – 27th October - Poor Knights Labour Day three day Trip – A perfect opportunity to explore the
wonderful Poor Knight Islands on the 'MV Mazurka' six divers - The long weekend will be fully catered,
including bedding, food and air fills. One tank required stay on board Friday night if you wish. As many
dives as you can handle – including a night diving for those keen – $540pp – check out their website for
some stunning photography http://www.oceanblue.co.nz – ring Yuin Foong 021 679846
yuinfoong@projectjonah.org.nz
8th November – Saturday - Movie Night and Roast Dinner - 177 Riverdale Road, Avondale – 5.45pm
onwards – $20pp includes movie, dinner (7.15pm) and ice cream at interval – BYO drinks and nibbles –
Movie to be confirmed closer to the date - contact Tom trbutler@xtra.co.nz Ph 09 624 3505 if you would
like to go.
12th November – Wednesday – 7:30pm – Dive Club meeting – Club Rooms – Northcote Rd Extn – Guest
Speaker – Gavin Davis – Fisheries officer.
Dive trips – The club needs a coordinator for these to take place. Margaret & I can’t do everything for you
all on the underwater scene & some club members need to put their hands up to help out.
Other stuff to be confirmed – Another Go Kart session at a different venue (electric karts). Warkworth mini-golf, target shooting, golf driving range, dive gear swap meet etc.
Other suggestions please contact your Trip organisers (when we get one).
Our Club’s Trip Rules
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F
Bookings allowed on all trips.
A deposit or full payment to be made at time of booking.
Full payment MUST be paid at least two weeks before departure date.
Trips Officer to handle trips & bookings, & Treasurer to handle finances. Cancellations due to
weather will be refunded in full, or transferred to another trip.
Members cancelling for any reason will lose full monies unless they find a replacement for their
position on the trip.
The trips Officer will determine if there are enough people to run a trip & if not will notify
cancellation two weeks prior to departure.
Non-Members & non-financial members will be charged an extra $10 on trips.
Two trips & club membership is a must.
All Member’s Subs are now due for the current year plus any outstanding.
Family Membership $55 – Single $45 – Junior $30 – Social $30
Please pay Club Fees to Margaret at the club meeting
Or Internet bank to 06 0122 0074227 00 & don’t forget your name.
The Power of the Sea – Glass Beach California - Recycled By The Ocean
In the early 1900s, Fort Bragg in California, the Residents threw their household garbage over the cliffs
above what is now Glass Beach.
It is hard to imagine this happening today, but back then people dumped all kinds of refuse straight into the
ocean. This Included old cars, and their household garbage, which of course included lots of glass. This took
place for 60 odd years and the locals referred to it as The Dumps. Sometimes fires were lit to reduce the size
of the trash which was piled up to 30 feet high at times.
Times were changing and in 1967 the City Leaders closed the area
as a dump. Various cleanup programs were undertaken through the
next few years to try and correct the damage, but without success.
Over the next 30 years the pounding waves cleaned the beach, by
breaking down everything but glass and pottery. The pounding
waves washed the trash up and down, back and forth, creating tons
of polished and broken glass. These now smooth coloured glass
particles settled along the sea shore in the millions and so a
magnificent colourful beach was formed. The name was changed
from The Dump to what we currently know it as ‘The Glass Beach’.
The sea glass that was created is the product of a very long and
interesting process. It can take anywhere from 10 to 30 years to
make sea glass, the name for any piece of glass that finds its way to
the ocean and tumbles around in the water long enough to frost and
smooth its surface.
Once it makes its way into the ocean, the glass is broken up into shards and is tumbled around in the water
where sand and other rocks act like sandpaper to smooth out its rough edges. Sometimes as the sea glass is
passed through fire, it becomes fire glass the rarest of sea glass with certain inclusions, just like precious
gems.
In 1998 the private owner of the property determined that Glass Beach
should belong to the public and in 2002 it became part of MacKerricher State Park and opened up to the
public. Within a period of a few years the Glass Beach won fame, attracting a large number of tourists every
year.
Way back in time, people wanted to dump their glass products on this shore now they all try to take one of
these pieces home as a souvenir.
It is ironic but true that where once it was illegal to dispose the glass on the shore it is now a crime to
remove it. Visiting the Glass Beach in California today is a unique experience, what makes it even more
remarkable are the sounds produced by the glass pebbles as they are being washed away by the gentle
waves.
A few articles from years gone by
8th March 2000 – Newsletter - Margaret’s Notes
Tom has organised another movie night for the 20th May at the Westwind, 6 pm for drinks, dinner at 6.45 pm. The Neptunes
will be joining us, and as this is their first time they may want to visit the museum, if anyone else is interested please let Tom
know so he can arrange a tour for us. Tom will be ringing around for numbers
Don’t forget the next meeting is a ten pin bowling night in Takapuna, meeting at 7.30 pm in the bar. The Neptunes are also
joining us so it should be a fun night. $15 each (shoes free), I have booked 7 lanes for two games as there will be over 38 of
us. Get there early to pay me and meet the Neptunes and our new members.
Keith Hockney was the only other starter for the South Island Easter weekend trip and as the Howards and Dave Cook were
not going now he also pulled out.
The weekend trip on the Norseman to the Poor Knights still had places, $170 plus $20 for food, see Jill if interested. The
next Norseman trip was over the weekend of the 15-16 April. Jill taking names and deposits now.
Next meeting is the AGM and Jenny & Tony Enderby are our guest speakers. They will be talking and showing slides on
their recent trip to India and the Himalayas. This will be a very interesting evening so lets hope we have a great turn out.
Peter is stepping down as President and to keep the club up and running we are looking for some enthusiastic people to step
in and take over.
Trevor from the M.V. Deliverance Charter Company is our guest speaker for the 10th May. He operates the 56 foot steel
ketch out of Tauranga. He will talk on the Marine Reserve at Mayor Island, the Marine Ecology in the area and fish life and
the diving at White Island.
Keith Hockney was also looking into a guest speaker for later in the year. There is still some interest in staying the night at
Kelly Talton’s I am yet to find out the cost and numbers required to make up the group.
The Goat Island Night Dive / Leigh weekend was excellent. There were 18 of us all told. The seas were choppy on Saturday
and high tide was not far off, so Keith decided to patrol and never dived. We missed the main part of the reef but non the less
the dive was enjoyable. Keith picked up the first divers and headed back. We had lunch at Mathesons Bay, some fished
others snorkelled and enjoyed the great weather. We all met back at Tony & Jenny’s place for a BBQ. Lots of fun and
catching up. In fact too much fun and laughter and the night dive never happened. Some slept at Brian Stafford-Bush’s place
at Mathesons the others at Enderby’s. One boat load went out to sample Leigh Reef again, this time finding the main cave
and swim through. The others headed back to Martins Bay for a scallop dive, being the last day of the season for scallops.
The bed we found was huge with its usual large stingrays keeping an eye on us. We fished and enjoyed the sun on nearby
islands and headed home late after a great weekend
Notes from last meeting: 8th September 1999
Apologies: Jill & Roberto, Dave Craig, Reg & Caroline, Mike Lawrence - 14 present
Welcome to Rob Swingler a prospective new member.
Once again Alistair Webb from Diver Services was unable to come, he had a last minute call out. I never arranged another
time, I left it up to him to contact me if and when he was available again. The meeting turned out really well with Bob & Liz
talking on their recent overseas trip to the UK and Canada. Also Roy spoke about their recent trip to Queensland and diving
the Great Barrier Reef.. The photos and brochures were really interesting. Roy mentioned the strict rules that dive operators
adhered to when diving on the Barrier Reef.
Keith mentioned the sad news he would be selling ‘Synergy’, but hoped to replace her with something a little smaller and
faster around 25 ft. and would still be interested in taking members out for day trips.
Tom was ringing around for numbers to the movie for the 12th September. He thought the movie would be the ‘Entrapment’
with Sean Connery, the other choice was ‘Patch Adams’ with Robin Williams.
Dave Cook mentioned a kayak trip up the river to Puhoi, with lunch at the Pub, he was bringing details for the next meeting.
As Jill was unable to attend, she wanted it mentioned there were three on the trip to the Poor Knights for the 18-19
September, anyone else names to her as soon as possible. Also the two day trip from Oakura to Cape Brett, dive one day and
Kayak the next. Possibly early October. Further details next meeting.
Peter & Margaret mentioned the Easter 2000 trip to the South Island to dive the Marlborough Sounds, Mikhail Lermontov
etc. There may be spare places available, those interested please let them know. Approx. cost $600.
Allan Dixon mentioned plenty of crayfish at the Mercuries at the moment, also ideas on diving Ninety Mile Beach. Other
dive trips, we are invited down to dive the West Coast with Waitomo Dive Club, Peter to contact Ray Bishop to arrange this.
Also a club trip to dive the Tui.
Peter mentioned the interest in Nitrox diving and rebreathing equipment, and several to look into someone coming along as
guest speaker.
Jenny & Tony are also available to show slides and tell us about their recent trip across India, and have suggested a night dive
at Goat Island in the near future.
Those wanting to attend Oceans 99 Award Dinner being held at Sky City - Auckland on Saturday 25th September, tickets for
the evening $65.00 available by phoning 09-419 2154.
Another invite from the Urenui Divers Club to their 4th Annual Diving & Fishing Competition on the 4th and 5th February
2000. Great prizes and entertainment and grand prize draw. Inquiries phone Mark 06-752 3781, or P O Box 61 Urenui.
Those interested see Peter, more details later.
Dave Cook won the wine, we also had a Fijian screen saver as second prize, this was drawn several times and won by those
without a computer, and finally went to our new guest Rob Swingler.
This month’s recipe cooked in the microwave:
Steamed scallops in black bean sauce
1 tablespoon oil
2 teaspoons sugar
2 spring onions, finely sliced
1 tablespoon cornflour
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 chilli, seeded & finely chopped
2 tablespoons black bean sauce 500g scallops
1.
2.
3.
4.
In a large bowl combine oil, onions and chilli, cook for 2 minutes on HIGH.
Stir in cornflour, sugar, soy sauce and black bean sauce.
Add scallops, stir well.
Cook for 10 - 12 minutes on MEDIUM, stirring twice during cooking. Serves 4.
11th August 1999 Newsletter - EXPERTS DEFEND DIVING SAFETY RECORD
This is an article taken from a past Dive Log, I thought may make interesting reading. Margaret.
The claim that New Zealand has the highest number of diving accidents and deaths per capita in the world has been made by
the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society. It also said the number was rising.
It said more than 100 divers each year were treated for decompression sickness, compared with 20-30 divers 10 years ago.
However, New Zealand experts put a different light on the figures.
“The risk of decompression sickness faced by divers is very small,” said Simon Mitchell, Director of diving and hyperbaric
medicine at the Devonport Naval Base’s recompression chamber.
In 1997, 70 divers needed to spend time in the chamber recovering from the bends, as decompression sickness is known.
This compared with 100 in 1995 and 50 in 1994.
“Diving is a comparatively safe sport,” Dr Mitchell commented. “The numbers of accidents appear high because we’ve got
so many divers.”
The number of active divers in New Zealand is estimated to be about 150,000. And Mr Colin Melrose, Manager for PADI
NZ, said “That between them, they probably make more than a million dives a year.”
So he too, says the sport is safe. “There are risks, but compared with many other activities, including rugby and parachuting,
diving is relatively safe,” he said. The Water Safety Councils’ figure for diving fatalities varies between five and nine a year
over a period of about ten years. But Mr Melrose points out that not all of those incidents refer to scuba diving. “In one case
somebody drowned using a mask to gather shellfish, but they were wearing gumboots.”
Over the past 15 years the dive industry has moved to impose restrictions on people seeking air tank refills and hiring
equipment by requiring them to produce certificates showing they have completed a course of training.
There are no legal requirements for them to do so and some stations will fill tanks without sighting a certificate. Mr Melrose
is against the introduction of legislation to make it compulsory. “Policing it would be impossible. It’s been tried overseas.
The industry is very conscious of its responsibilities and is acting appropriately to ensure that diving remains a low risk
recreation.”
President’s Report June 14th 2000 – Peter Howard
Sorry to start on a such sad note, but I have been told an old Club Member recently died suddenly, a lot will remember Russel
Hockey. I would like to say more but I personally did not know him, I am sure Reg Lawson or Allan Dixon would know
more.
After a very successful committee meeting at which a large number of issues and ideas were floated or sunk. The following
emerged, or surfaced, as the case may be.
The Chair (on Club nights) will be rostered in the hope a new permanent President will emerge. The first brave fellow to
volunteer is Tom Butler, followed by Fiona, Roy, Bob and back to me. If anyone wishes to chair the meeting or volunteer for
club duties on short term basis, please let me know.
Roy has elected to be trophy officer - clean up and presentation. They will be on display at the next meeting - there will be a
short discussion on the future of the cups.
Fiona is in charge of bringing the photo albums and memorabilia up to date, any photos you would like included please pass
onto Fiona. There has not been any added for some time now.
Bob, our editor needs stories (made up or true), every little item helps.
The committee discussed adventure trips - including a weekend skiing/tramping Ruapehu. Tongariro River Rafting and
traverse. Rotorua forest mountain biking - horse trek. Overnight Tiri Tiri Matangi. Weekend Kawau Island - Camp Benson.
Scuba Champs - Mathesons Bay. Fun night Henderson Pool. Wine trail. Climbing wall. Cave exploration. Ice skating Botany Downs new rink. Just to name a few. Support your Club, tell us want you want, come along and share your ideas and
we will organise it for you.
Our term deposit has been moved off 90 days @ 1%, to a 3 ½ % new saver account.
Next meeting 14 June we have a guest speaker - Roy Patterson coming along to talk briefly on the concept of Dreamboats hassle free boating, affordability, ease of ownership and prestige - sounds like you - come along and find out.
There will also be two videos, one In the Company of Whales narrated by the late Jessica Tandy. The other from Martin
Saggers on the life of a female octopus filmed around Stewart Island. Martin is also organising a trip to Stewart Island
around March/April for next year, he will have prices and ideas to share with those interested in the trip.
There is still some of the dive gear for sale, including the dry suit, a men’s wet suit, and other various items. If interested
give me a ring.
And a Roberto joke from the past -14th July 1999
Did you know Roberto is an expert on jokes…..his little contribution
Sam and Bessie are senior citizens and Sam always wanted an expensive pair of alligator cowboy boots. Seeing some on sale
one day, he buys a pair and wears them home, asking Bessie, "So, do you notice anything different about me?"
"What's different? It's the same shirt you wore yesterday and the same pants."
"What's different?" Frustrated, Sam goes into the bathroom, undresses and comes out completely naked, wearing only his
new boots. Again he says, "Bessie, do you notice anything different?"
"What's different Sam? It's hanging down today, it was hanging down yesterday and will be hanging down tomorrow!"
Angrily Sam yells, "Do you know why it's hanging down? 'Cause it's looking at my new boots!!!!!"
" Bessie replies, "You shoulda bought a hat!
Young Ocean Explorers Opening night at the National Library
Riley & Dad Steve Hathaway
Trish & Denis having fun
Sponsors Paddy & Brian with the Hathaways
Bee Gees Night at the Browns Bay RSA
Trish warming up Dave for the next 5 girls
Club night at the Glenfield pool
Dave gearing up under Richards scrutiny
Trish, Richard & Denis enjoying a joke
Peter being the gentleman & assisting Diana
Going down I think?
A few more people attending would have been nice & made it a bit more worthwhile, but the beers across
the road were good, along with dinner at the Glenfield night market, plenty to choose from if you haven’t
been there yet. We will look at doing this again in the near future, just a matter of working out how soon to
be practical. Denis
Dave you’ve forgotten something!
Running adjustments – which is what it’s about
This is your very last chance to attend - do it now or miss out.
Wednesday 8th Club Night is cut off day
NZ DOLPHIN UNDERWATER & ADVENTURE CLUB
You are invited to the
60th ANNIVERSARY
1954 - 2014
18th October 2014
Special Guest Speakers – Christine Rose and Steve Hathaway
Presentation of the Wyland Foundation Trophy- Dive New Zealand,
and the Leo Ducker Award – New Zealand Underwater Association
Outstanding Recognition Awards
BUFFET · BAR · OLD FRIENDS
Drinks from 5.30pm – Dinner 7pm
$30.00 per person
Milford Cruising Club, North Shore - Auckland
Bring along any old photos or memorabilia you would like to share
Contact Margaret Howard now 09 473 8069 & pay by online banking a direct
credit into our ANZ Bank Account Number 06 0122 0074227 00
(Please identify your payment)
Email the following data to Margaret – marg.howard@xtra.co.nz
Names of those attending ........................................................................................
Address:....................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................
Email: ..............................................................................Phone:…………………..
Date of Club Membership:............................Position held:.......................................
Other:………………………………………..................................................................
We have been getting sponsorship prizes from various companies.
There will be door prizes to choose from on the night.
Your entry ticket number will be issued on arrival.
I will be listing the sponsors in our next newsletter,
so make sure you support them in the future.
When financial you will then receive one of the new CLUB membership cards.
AND then you might discounts from these people!
Have you paid your subs yet – see Margaret next meeting or do it online.
Internet bank to 06 0122 0074227 00 & don’t forget your name
And you may be able to assist with some Crayfish research
Be careful using the scale as it may not be correct when printing, check against a tape measure.
Thanks