Story and Photos © Elaine Jobin, with contributions from the 2008 "Our World Underwater" Rolex Scholars, may not be reproduced in part or whole without advanced written permission.

I haven't been keeping my "Trip Reports and Photos" up this year, however, I made some progress in creating my own web space - ElaineJobin.com. It isn't perfect, or finished, but it least it is on its way. In addition, I've begun shooting underwater images with a housed D300. A huge change from film. This is my first Southern California "Trip Reports and Photos" all done in digital! Yes, I know - I've gone to the "dark side".

On October 31, 2008 I climbed aboard the Psalty V with Jeff Bozanic and the 2008 Rolex Scholars.- Jamie Brisbin from New York - the North American Scholar, Eline Feenstra from the Netherlands - the European Scholar, and Steven Lindfield from Australia - the Australasian Scholar.

Other divers included Ian Martin - a Rebreather Instructor Candidate,

and Magne Tessem - a rebreather student from Norway.

And of course, Jeff Bozanic

I also went on this trip with the Scholars of 2006, and that is a link to my trip report.

Before our departure, a huge rainbow highlighted the Psalty V in the slip, and, new letters highlighted Capt. Gary's truck in the parking lot - "BurialatSea.com".

Capt. Gary explained that this wasn't a Halloween decoration. Long ago he aquired the domain name "BurialatSea.com" for $25.00, as a afterthought. He now sees it as being one of the best business investments he has made. Many of his charters are now burials at sea, and, it appears to be a recession proof source of income.

After a smooth cruise across the San Pedro Channel, we stopped in Avalon for a rebreather part and to complete paperwork for the Harbormaster to dive from a Descanso Beach morring into the Casino Point Park.

Jeff, Ian, and Magne entered the water for a warm up dive while the Scholars suited up.

And so began two days of dive circles

dive skill drills

and an occasional instructor briefing

With a little time for humor thrown in.

While the rebreather students practiced and learned, I spent time contemplating aperatures, shutter speeds, the dynamic range of digital, ambient light, manual strobe settings, and the relative reflectance of fish.

Or, trying to capture those topside "special" moments.

Saturday night everyone took a break from studying and headed into Two Harbors to visit the haunted house. The haunted house is very special and lots of fun. If you have never been - check it out next Halloween! The 3D glasses were a trip.

On day three there were the lift bag drills

Followed by some time to swim around for fun.

This year, I asked the scholars to write a paragraph so the internet world could learn more about them.

From Steven Lindfield (Australasian Scholar):

"The scholarship is a unique opportunity; I have come from a marine science and environmental background on the east coast of Australia and know all too well the need to network in order to get somewhere. This is the main aim of the scholarship, to increase these networks of contacts and experiences at an early stage in the scholar's career, and once you get involved and talking to some individuals it can be a surprisingly small world! Just before this rebreather trip, I found myself in Las Vegas at DEMA 08, the diving equipment and marketing association trade show. There I was able to meet many influential people in the diving community, including Jeff Bozanic who gave us five days notice for the three of us scholars to participate in this rebreather course! These contacts not only make you feel welcome and open up a world of possibilities for the scholarship year and future career paths but also provide a never ending source of inspiration. Some people have dedicated their lives to diving and the underwater world and I only hope I can do the same in order to maintain or enhance this precious marine environment for future generations."

From Eline Feenstra (European Scholar)

"I am six months into my scholarship year and it is hard to describe what it does to me. It changes me, and my world. The scholarship is there to provide individuals with the opportunity to experience different diving related fields and to give them access to a network so invaluable for pursuing a career. So far I got experiences that made me realise how much our natural world fascinates me. At this moment I have a tendency to go back to university to study marine geology and/or physical oceanography (until which extend possible of course). The scholarship made it possible for me to conduct an scientific diving certificate, which hopefully makes combining research and diving much more accessible in the future. Doing my PADI IDC on the other hand got me hooked on that side of our diving industry. I would really like to work as an instructor in the future, hopefully doing my first courses during this scholarship year. Being given the change to explore the European dive industry is also extremely exciting, through which I developed an understanding of it and got access to a wide variety of contacts including dive centres, manufactures, research units, etc.

Exploring is to become a bigger and more realistic pursue. Doing a rebreather course as 'pioneers' gives me strength, whether or not that may sound as a weird formula. I start to realise the scope of what we are able to do as individuals. I feel like growing up. :) For me personal it is also so valuable to meet intriguing people. Meeting people I hope I can relate myself to, one day in the future, gives me an understanding of who I would like to become.

I also start to understand more and more of our environment problems. It is a challenging undertaking how we can get conservation, awareness and education combined and realised. Through the scholarship I really got into underwater videography, which could be a way to work towards these three domains."

From Jamie Brisbin (North American Scholar)

Well...... Jamie wrote his own trip report and here is the link. An insiders view of what it was like being in the class http://jamiebrisbin.blogspot.com/2008/11/rebreathers.html

Thanks to all of the scholars for allowing me on board and being such great photo subjects! Best wishes for the future.