February
24, 2007
Event Report and Photos
Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup
Story
and Photos © Elaine
Jobin, may not be reproduced in part or whole without
advanced written permission
What
special event was last weekend? The Avalon Harbor Underwater
Cleanup. The one day of the year that we can dive in the
Avalon Harbor.
On
Saturday morning, I left Long Beach at 6:15 on a Catalina
Express. It was a boat laden with dive gear and sleepy divers.
(Just keep reading, you will figure out why no one was sleepy
for long).
Arrival
at Avalon was an easy wake up call. I enjoy going to annual
cleanup. It is an opportunity to see friends, have fun,
and recharge on the energy exuded by hundreds of like minded
recreationalists.
I
had a special job. I was a member of the Kayak Patrol. The
Kayak Patrol is comprised of a group of volunteers who meet
at Descanso Beach, paddle around the corner into the harbor,
and try to serve as readily available support to any diver
who might need it. I've done this for several years now.
Usually I have to walk from the Express landing to Descanso,
but this time we got lucky and a van took us there. This
is a photo of some of us in the van and pre departure preparations.
My
assigned area was at the Casino "dive site". This
is what it looked like to me from the Kayak.
I
had an enjoyable, and mostly uneventful time. No divers
to rescue. My one surprise was someone who popped up
in front of me with an old pitch fork. For a minute
I thought I'd met Neptune.Yikes, maybe I did.
We weren't alone
alone on our Kayaks. Baywatch was there too.
After
the dive was over, it was time to reconnect with friends
and get some lunch.
Next, most
converged on downtown Avalon for the event prizes, awards
presentations, and the lottery drawings.
And,
"Dr.
Bill" Bushing. I couldn't help but notice his
unusual method of holding his video camera. He does such
great video, who am I to question.... but....ummmm.....go
figure.
One
of the sociological oddities of this event is the "Crowd
Chumming". Fun things like hats, T-shirts, etc. are
tossed to the audience. It is seems as much fun for the
chummers, as it is for the chumees
A
couple of "chummer" shots
And,
a couple of "chumee" shots
It
is probably one of the things that makes this event so much
fun for all age groups. Where else can you stick your hand
in the air and maybe something fun will actually land in
it?
In
the "trash awards", there are too many categories
for me to remember off the top of my head. I do remember
that "Most Valuable Trash" went to a diver who
found a Rolex Watch, no wrist band, that was still working.
All trash award winners received a plaque.
Fiona
Macfarlane, Doug Iverson, and Mark Tulin - Volunteer Crew
members at the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber received recognition
plaques for 15 years of service.
And,
Jill Boivinm a major organizer of this Clean Up for many
years received an award. Good job Jill!.
As
usual, there were lots of terrific prizes in the lottery.
Dive computers, regulators, trips, dive equipment etc.
. The "Grand Prize" - was a super special
painted dive tank. I bought some lottery tickets and
won a trip for two on the King
Neptune out of Avalon. Yipee. Another dive trip,
I can bring a friend, and yes, I get to do another "trip
report and photos" afterwards.
The Mayor
of Avalon, Bob Kennedy, also presented a speech. Bob
also happens to own and run Catalina
Scuba Luv - YES!
The "Silver
Tongue" award contestants amused us with their
tall tales and lies about their trash. Tim Fitzhugh,
the editor of the Sea
Divers newsletter, won this award.
The posters
for Chamber
Day 2007 were publicly displayed for the first time.
Both photos were taken in tanks at the Aquarium of the
Pacific. Don't forget Chamber Day/Evening is Wednesday
May 2, 2007.
Whew,
it was a jam packed day. Thanks to the organizers, all
of the Prize contributors, and everyone who showed up
for the event. Totally awesome.
Until
next time........
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