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| FROM THE PRESIDENT |
As the year winds down to the end, we all look
forward to the upcoming holidays, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year,
and even the Super Bowl. It’s hard to believe that another year is about to pass
by. With all of the normal daily responsibilities, we forget to look back and
see
all of the good things that we have accomplished.
Great Memories:
The State Freediving Championship was held in early Spring (April)
The three WWC local dive tournaments were held throughout the Summer
The 41st Southern Open State Spearfishing Championship was held in September
The Shutter Open Underwater Photography Tournament was held in September
The startup and continued improvement of our
Web Site FSDA-WCC.Com
The FSDA has grown to nearly 300 members. Approximately 50 of those were gained
through the Southern Open/Shutter Open event. Thanks to you many volunteers.
None of these memories would have occurred without your help.
Our last event of the year is the “Awards Banquet” and Christmas party. It will
be held at the Carlouel Yacht Club on Clearwater Beach, on Dec 5. The dining
halls will be decorated to the hilt for the holiday season. Get your gang
together and join us! Congratulations to all of the competitors and the top five
finishers for the year. Tom Morris and John Schmidt have completed a “Massive
Task” as the Competition Chairpersons. We owe them a special “Thanks” for the
wonderful memories they have given us. They are presently working hard to see
that the memories to be experienced next year will be even greater. They have
implemented many features to make them enjoyable for everyone. If you haven’t
participated in the events be sure to give them a try next year. – Dave
DATE TO REMEMBER
WCC BANQUET & CHRISTMAS PARTY
FRIDAY DECEMBER 5
FROM THE EDITOR
All of the Bulletin information is now on our web site in full color. It
includes a calendar of events, club articles, tournament schedules, entry forms,
results, photos, weather, and links to other sites of interest. Tom Morris and
John Schmidt have put a lot of effort into working with the designer to develop
a “first class” site. Information is kept current and can be accessed at any
time, from anywhere. www.fsda-wcc.com
Now that this facility in place the hard copy distribution will be limited to
those members who do not have internet access. Hard copy will be sent to the
competition sponsors.
“SPECIAL NOTICE”
This will be the last issue of the Bulletin
mailed to you unless you act now!!!
Members without internet access must complete, and send me the following form to
continue getting Bulletin hard copy after this issue.
To: Art Pearson
1466 Southridge Dr.
Clearwater Fl 33756
I do not have internet access. Continue to send the me the Bulletin hard copy.
Name:________________________________
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| ROWDIES |
Competition time! Can you believe a live shell
display? What better way to have a great shell and not kill the animal inside.
It is no small feat to lug the aquarium, water, shells, etc to a meeting but
Steve and Ruth Kisco were up to the challenge. The regular shell collections for
display were great ones with Steve taking 1st, Ruth 2nd and Pat Fredette 3rd.
Also judging was done on SOS (save our seas) and the Man Made and Natural
Artifacts.
Lori Smith took the SOS contest again, Pat Fredette’s real old wine bottle was
judged 1st place in the man made artifacts, and a really big megledon tooth
found by Steve Kisco took 1st in the natural artifacts. Congratulations every
one!
Photos for the contest were turned in at the next meeting and the Best of Show
winner is Steve Kisco with his great fixed focus picture of a basket star
wearing a scuba mask. This is the photo he entered in the SOD and won 1st place
there also. All other winners will have their photo’s on display at the
Christmas party on 12/06/03.
Congratulations go to Ruth Kisco for being the Top Female Diver in the SOD!
Great job Ruth!!
Two garage sales are planned this year to boost our club treasury. Pat F will
host one Nov. 29th and Ann Howe will host the other one in Feb or March. We are
also looking at raising the club dues to $35 per person including FSDA
membership and $40 for family.
Rowdies On The Go -
Nine great white sharks were spotted – two were approximately 14 feet long!! It
is Halloween (not celebrated in South Africa.)
Bobbie Jo Roe and Sonia Smith were in
the cage trying to get them to pose for pictures. Believe me, they don’t pose!
We weren’t the lucky ones in the cage when one sharpened his teeth on the metal
bars and punctured the heavy plastic float fastened there – DARN – that would
have made Halloween memorable! (No we didn’t find his tooth stuck in the float.)
But the ones coming up to us were close enough to reach out and touch. The boat
crew threw out the huge tuna heads used for chum and drew it right up to the
cage to show them where the crazy divers were waiting.
Cape Town’s Atlantic Ocean water was cold but who felt that with the excitement
of the close encounter of these huge creatures! The cage this dive operation
used was an improvement over the one Bobbie Jo was in last year. We had a bar
all along the inside just off the floor that we could hook our toes under to try
to get steady enough to take a picture. They wanted us to breath hold instead of
possibly scaring off the sharks with scuba bubbles – I need to practice and
increase my time. I don’t make a good free diver, I’m afraid. My best shark
pictures are topside from the boat. We waited anxiously for one to pose jumping
out of the water but that didn’t happen either. The following pictures show them
chasing the elusive tuna head bait.
Needless to say we really had an
exciting trip. Our great tour guide, Craig Milner, also arranged a chance to
dive in the Kelp. That was really neat! You could tell I wasn’t used to the wet
suit I rented – it took a lot more extra weight than I originally thought I
would need. We made an “easy” shore entry with a good amount of surge, which was
much easier when I went back and added a lot of extra weight. I am glad that
Craig was very familiar with the dive spot and lead the way. I’m not
claustrophobic but I could easily get confused as to the direction although we
were in a shallow spot – easy enough to check where we were by popping to the
surface. Just right for a first time experience. I saw real colorful urchins,
coral and
fish there. Definitely two experiences I’d like to repeat.
South Africa is a great fantastic land of contrasts. We toured from Cape Town to
Kruger National Park where we went on a 5 day photo safari. We tried to
photograph it all but that is another story. Come on over and I’ll be glad to
share my 3,040 pictures and Bobbie Jo has a thousand more than I do!
Have Mask – Will Travel, Sonia
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|
SEA BUNNIES |
Summer with the Seabunnies!
Well, the dive season might be winding down, and the social season is just
starting. But we Seabunnies have been keeping busy above and below the water!
Mary T hasn’t been diving in two weeks, but hopes to get out again this weekend.
The last time she was out in the Gulf, legal grouper were still scarce and the
seas were rough. She and friends dove until dusk. The last dive produced a
multitude of Hogfish. Hogfish schools came out by the hundreds as the sun was
setting! It was a beautiful sight! She took her limit on the largest Hogs,
leaving the smaller ones for another year. The only problem was, the sharks
showed up too!! One of her dive buddies had to spear a large lemon shark in
self-defense. Sounds like a really exciting dive adventure!
Mary B and Lisa S just got back from their big Tahiti trip! A large
rollerblading tournament is held on the island every year, and they just thought
this was a great excuse to get in a little pacific diving too! They participated
in a rollerblade half marathon in Tahiti Iti one day, and then spent the rest of
their island time kayaking, diving, and snorkeling! One time, they kayaked out
to watch the humpback whales, which surfaced as close as 20 feet from Mary and
Lisa. The whales scared the living ___ out of Mary!! The second day on the
beautiful island of Moorea, Lisa went with some other friends on a dolphin/whale
excursion and again spent an hour and half with momma, baby and daddy whales!!
Mary and Lisa did a little hiking up to two waterfalls on two islands. They
scuba dived off Moorea - one dive was a shark feeding dive! The pacific tropical
fish are so beautiful and different from the Caribbean tropical fish. They did
find some beautiful shells while diving and snorkeling off the Motu's near their
beach bungalow. They also participated in Tahitian wedding! Lisa got to dance
with the Tahitian dancers! And even petted the sacred blue eyed eels that were
living in the stream on the property on Tahiti Iti. The eels were freshwater and
friendly about 3-4 feet long and used to being fed and petted. It was an awesome
incredible vacation!
Rita had to stay away from the water for six weeks due to her Lasik surgery. But
those eyes are now nice and sharp for exploring the Keys. Exactly three weeks
(doctor’s orders) after the surgery, she was down under with the Spiegel Grove
again in Key Largo. She dove it a month after is was sunk, then six months
later, now a year later and says the progression of growth on it has been
fantastic! It’s getting old and crusty – and that’s a good thing!! Large schools
of fish are calling it home. Many large barracuda patrol around it. And they did
see a huge Hogfish poking around too. The next day they dove the “Eagle” another
great ship lying on it’s side. But the Eagle was broke into two parts during
Hurricane Georges, and one part is a lot deeper now. A huge Goliath Grouper has
set up home there. This ship was sunk in 1985 so it has a lot of growth on it
and great photo opportunities. Rita checked out a different dive operation this
time – the “Minnow” (www.hmsminnow.com)
and no, Gilligan was not on the boat. This is a great little six-pack boat with
all the comforts of the big boats, but no cattle. Run by a retired NY cop and
his wife, they whisk you out to the sights before the cattle boats show up and
give you plenty of time to enjoy your dive. Key Largo offers a wealth of great
diving opportunities and always a good time.
Lisa T, Lisa S and her husband John participated in the Southern Open Derby.
John won “Spearfishing Champion of Florida” as well as “Diver of the Day,” and
also came in first place for cobia and snapper.
The Photography contest was awesome! Winning Seabunnies are: Michelle – 3rd
place fixed focus, Pat F – 6th place wide angle, Lisa T – 7th place wide angle,
Peggy – 6th place open macro, and Lisa S – 1st place open macro.
Adrianne and husband Dave hosted the annual “Casinoween” Party this year, and
everyone had a great time. There were bumble bees, dark angels, genies, and even
little red riding hood showed up! Lisa S won best costume, and it took everyone
over
SEABUNNIES (CONT)
two hours to figure out who she was! Leslie sang Karaoke, and promises never to
do that again! Adrianne and Dave put a lot of effort into the games, and
everyone came out a winner! Thanks again for a wonderful time!
Paula T and husband Lee sponsored a “boat sleepover” at Caladesi Island on
11/15. Happy hour was at 4p, progressive dinner at 5p, with a lovely sunset at
5:39p. The weather warmed up for the weekend and the waters were still. Many
boats came and everyone had fun!
SeaBunnie meetings have been very interesting. One was our “market” meeting,
where members and friends of members sold unique items. Who says you can’t have
a productive meeting and go shopping at the same time?
Another meeting, we hosted a speaker from the Tampa Bay Estuary program. Since
its inception, the Program has sponsored groundbreaking scientific research into
the bay's most pressing problems and secured more than $1 million in grants to
assist in the repair and restoration of the bay.
SEABUNNIES (CONT)
Tampa Bay, Florida's largest open-water estuary, stretches 398 square miles at
high tide. Popular for sport and recreation, the bay also supports one of the
world's most productive natural systems. Estuaries like Tampa Bay, where salt
water from the sea and fresh water from rivers and uplands mix, are nurseries
for young fish, shrimp, and crabs. More than 70 percent of all fish, shellfish,
and crustaceans spend some critical stage of their development in these
nearshore waters, protected from larger predators that swim the open sea. This
was a very informative and educational meeting.
The annual SeaBunnie cookie exchange party will be held on Wednesday, 12/10, at
Betty’s house. As usual everyone will bring their favorite cookies and try for
the Best Tasting and the Best Looking awards. Then the goodies will be exchanged
so each SeaBunnie will take home a variety of Christmas cookies. Every year each
SeaBunnie also brings a gift for a needy child. This year the Salvation Army
will distribute these gifts to the many children in our immediate area who for
one reason or another would have no or very little Christmas. In the past the
Bunnies have been very generous and many gifts have been collected.
This is a time for the Bunnies to feel the spirit of Christmas by sharing their
cookies, bringing gifts for needy children, and enjoying the Christmas
fellowship with other Bunnies.
On other club business: Anne is once again selling Entertainment discount books
as a fundraiser for the Seabunnies. And we all love to wine and dine, so come to
a meeting or call Anne and get your 2004 copy!
Other upcoming events are: Sea Bird Sanctuary visit, Annual Judging Party, and
Seabunnie Banquet.
On a sad note, our hearts go out to Peggy G on the tragic loss of her daughter.
All her many friends offer their sympathies and assistance during this difficult
time.
The Bunny Board standings to date:
Grouper: Lisa T - 7.7 lb, Lisa B - 10 lb, Lisa S – 12 lb, Sandy C - 14 lb, Lynn
J - 14 lb, Mary T - 25 lb.
Snapper: Sandy C - 2.2 lb, Lisa T - 2.5 lb, Mary T - 3.5 lb, Lisa B - 4 lb, Lynn
J - 4 lb.
Hogfish: Sandy C - 3.1 lb, Lisa B - 4 lb, Lisa T - 4.5 lb, Lynn J - 4.6 lb, Mary
T - 8 lb, Lisa S - 12.5 lb.
Amberjack / Cobia: Lisa T - 25.5 lb AJ, Mary T - 14 lb AJ
Sheephead / Trigger/ Flounder: Sandy C - 1.2 lb sheephead
Lobster: Lisa T - 1 1/4 lb, Mary T - 4 lb, Peggy L - 6 lb.
Save our Seas: Lisa T - 2 pts, Mary T - 3 pts, Michelle - 3 pts, Rita - 10 pts.
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| ST. PETERSBURG UNDERWATER CLUB |
Submitted: Bill Hardman
The Annual SPUC Superbowl Party & Feast
The 2004 Superbowl will be held on February 1, 2004. The SPUCs want to invite
all WCC members to attend our Superbowl Party.
The cost is $10 per person and it includes all the: beer, sodas, fish, chicken,
hotdogs, burgers and covered dishes. Kids under 12years are free and welcome.
The Minnreg building, our party site, makes it easy for parents to keep an eye
on the little ones and still have time to talk and relax a little.
If you want to attend please contact Charlie Hogge, V.Pres. at 727-525-7107
(home), or Bill Hardman, Pres. at 727-560-0757 (cell).
What’s Going On?
PENDING ISSUES THAT THREATEN YOUR SPORT OF SPEARFISHING AND
FISHING
A new section of the SPUC website called “The Spyglass” has been setup to
distribute information in regard to the recent Gulf of Mexico grouper and
hogfish restrictions. And the recent spearfishing restrictions proposed on
Gray’s Reef off the Atlantic Coast of Georgia.
All these issues are of a timely nature! Please get involved now – because every
voice and letter counts. To view Spyglass: go to
www.spearfishingspuc.org then
click on the Spyglass button at the top of the page. For any questions contact,
SPUC Secretary, Dennis O’Hern (727) 391-3969.
Paul Kerr and Dennis O’Hern left on December 1st to attend the Atlantic Council
meeting in Kingland, Georgia. The SPUCs voted to pay for their way to and from
the meeting. Hopefully, their lobby efforts for the FSDA, SPUCs and all other
fishermen and spearfishermen will be successful.
