JULY 2015

THE PORPOISE POOP

TUCSON, ARIZONA WWW.DESERTDOLPHINS.ORG

MEETING LOCATION: O'MALLEYS BAR AND GRILL

247 North 4th Av. Tucson AZ

◊ EVERY 3RD WEDNESDAY ◊ HAPPY HOUR: 5:30PM GENERAL MEETING: 6:30PM

RECENT EVENTS: • WORLD OCEAN NIGHT JUN 6 • MONTHLY MEETING JUN 17 UPCOMING EVENTS: • MONTHLY MEETING JUL 15 • ANNIVERSARY TRIP OCT 2-5

THIS ISSUE: • DOLPHIN BOARD & OFFICERS • CLUB MOMENT IN HISTORY • DIVE TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES

VISIT US ONLINE AT:

WWW.DESERTDOLPHINS.ORG

WANT TO JOIN? membership@desertdolphins.org

NAME THAT CRITTER

Last Issue: Southern Pigfish (Congiopodus leucopaecilus)

...Gone Divin'

Dolphins are traveling to places near and far to explore the underwater world. Who knows what tales they'll share of their adventures? Find out at the monthly meetings and on our website at www.desertdolphins.org. Want to go diving yourself? Your favorite local dive center has the training, gear and trips already arranged to make your experience safe and enjoyable. So whether it's San Carlos or Lembeh, get out there and let's see what you can share with us!

Contest Winners on Display

Desert Dolphins Dive Club and Jones Photo present the Award winning photographs of the 2014 Photo Contest! See them at Jones Photo 2901 N Campbell Tucson, AZ 85716. Stop by and see them! Look for the “Meet the Photographers’ Night” to be announced soon!

This Month's Presentation

How many different frog fish can you spot on a dive trip consisting of 55 dives? If you happened to be at Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia in August of 2014, the count would have been in excess of 100. There were so many that Becky and Roger Tolan were actually finding them without the assistance of the sharp-eyed local dive guides. Photos from their trip of those and many other critters unique to Lembeh along with a few surprises will presented. Sit back and let them take you diving in Indonesia...

Any ideas for a new meeting venue? Contact Paul or Drew with suggestions!

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THE PORPOISE POOP JULY 2015

Desert Dolphins Board Activities: Paul Mayfield History: Tony Ciampa Policies: Leslie Nichols

Awards: Jane Nichols Equipment: Charlie Nichols Programs: Annette Felix Public Relations: Daniel Vance Education: Annette Felix Raffle: Danya Goodwill

Fundraising: Martha Peyton Membership: Dick Garmon Technical: Carl Foster Newsletter: Tom Frederick Photography: Greg Sherman

Desert Dolphins Officers President: Daniel Vance Recording Secretary: Paul Mayfield

First Vice President: Steve Ratts Treasurer: Rick Treveloni Second Vice President: Pat Hartowicz Corresponding Sec: Kandie Vactor

The Board met at 5:30 June 1st at Kingfisher (thanks to Pat Hartowicz). Steve Ratts chaired for Daniel. Also attending were Leslie Nichols, Dick Garmon, Tom Frederick, Charlie Nichols, Tony Ciampa, Paul Mayfield, Pat Hartowicz and Martha Payton. Old and new business were discussed. The next meeting will be held on Aug 3rd, with the venue TBA.

Member Spotlight: Tom Frederick

Yours Truly has been a club member since 2013 after learning about it online. I operate a CruiseOne travel agency franchise from home. I've been diving since 2009 after a trip to the Philippines. Since then I've been diving in Bonaire, Hawaii and of course, Mexico. My certification level is AOWD through SSI /w NITROX. My favorite dive experience thus far was night manta diving in Kona. With less than 100 dives I'm still working on basic skills but developing interest in fish ID and photography. As far as the club goes I've been publishing the newsletter for nearly 2 years and occasionally helping with the website. I've enjoyed attending meetings and most especially the presentations. It's always fun to network with other enthusiasts and develop friendships and opportunities to dive exotic destinations.

Desert Dolphins Moment in History

Taken from correspondence to Pinal Co. Sheriff's Dept. July 1964: "The D esert Dolphin Skin and Scuba Club of Tucson will soon be conducting another thorough and comprehensive training in scuba diving. We would like to offer, free of charge, to four members of your department, the opportunity to become certified scuba divers. The training will begin Sunday, September 13th, at Westward Ho Mobile Home Park, with registration at noon. The program consists of six lessons. They will be given Sundays, 1:00 - 4:00pm and Wednesdays, 7:00 - 10:00pm. We look forward to meeting the interested members of your department."

Group Dive Travel

Destination Dates Accommodations Organizer Sea of Cortez, Mexico 08/15/15 - 08/22/15 Rocio Del Mar (Liveaboard) Planet Scuba 520-209-2700 Beqa Lagoon, Fiji 10/01/15 - 10/10/15 Beqa Lagoon Resort Planet Scuba 520-209-2700

Bali, Indonesia 08/31/15 - 09/12/15 various resorts (see flyer) The Dive Shop 520-326-DIVE Komodo, Indonesia 09/11/15 - 09/19/15 Mermaid II (liveaboard) The Dive Shop 520-326-DIVE Ambergris Caye, Belize 11/28/15-12/05/2015 Sunbreeze Hotel The Dive Shop 520-326-DIVE St. Croix, USVI 09//16 Cane Bay Cottages Planet Scuba 520-209-2700 Great Barrier Reef, Australia 04/08/16 - 04/18/16 Spirit of Freedom (Liveaboard Planet Scuba 520-209-2700 Key Largo, Florida various dates Libreterre (Liveaboard) The Dive Shop 520-326-DIVE Himalaya Bay, Mexico various dates camping The Dive Shop 520-326-DIVE San Carlos, Mexico various dates The Dive Shop 520-326-DIVE San Carlos, Mexico various dates Playa Blanca Condominiums Planet Scuba 520-209-2700

Desert Dolphins is a dive club that promotes active diving and allows members within to promote their trips. As such, members are responsible for the trips they book and cannot hold the club responsible. You can reference the club's waivers if you have any questions.

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THE PORPOISE POOP JULY 2015

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Chris is turning 50! Let’s go diving for this milestone!

August 15 – 22, 2015

Come celebrate Chris’ 50th birthday with us on board the Rocio del Mar, as we

explore the best of the Sea of Cortez via the Midriff Islands. Dive on untouched walls

and reefs thriving with marine life. Encounter a variety of whale species, whale

sharks, manta and jumping mobula rays, and playful sea lion colonies. Hike and

explore remote uninhabited isles. Dine under the stars in a calm anchorage,

socialize with your shipmates and make new friends! Then, melt into a luxurious

bunk in your own finely appointed cabin with private bathrooms and hot showers,

combined with personalized service to enhance your liveaboard safety and fun. Dive

into your dreams and see what Sea of Cortez diving is all about.

The trip leaves from Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico; just a short drive from Tucson. We

will explore pristeen areas where you can expect to see some of the most abundant

sea life the Sea of Cortez has to offer. We promise birthday cake, fun, good

company, and GREAT DIVING!

Trip Includes:

6 days diving

Meals

Coffee, wine, and beer

Snacks

Lodging

Planet Scuba ~ 4837 N. 1st Ave ~ (520)209-2700 ~ PlanetScubaUSA.com

Pricing:

$2,395.00 per person, double

occupancy

Nitrox available, $120.00 per person

1702 E. Prince Rd #150Tucson, AZ 85719

(520) 326-3483contact@azdiveshop.com

www.azdiveshop.com

Known as the “Island of the Gods”, Bali is truly a unique and wonderful place to visit. This island has a Hindu culture all its own that can be seen everywhere on the island. Bali is located in the “coral triangle” and has a great diversity of div-ing

including reefs, wrecks, walls, muck, and current. There is no better way to experience a little of everything that Bali has to offer than on a dive safari.

DIVE SAFARI by BALI SCUBAJoin the Dive Shop and Bali Scuba on a 12 night/ 13 day dive safari to Bali. A dive safari is a great way of traveling around the island, staying at resorts and diving the local area. By staying at nearby resorts

more dives can be done and cuts down on travel time allowing more time to sightsee and relax. The best dive sites of Bali will be visited, including the national park around Menjangan Is., the USAT Liberty wreck, and we will be at Nusa Penida during Mola Mola season. Bali is also

known for its great muck diving and is a hotspot for underwater photography. There will

ACCOMODATIONS- 3 nights at the Mimpi Menjangan Resort- 3 nights at the Mimpi Tulamben Resort- 2 nights in Ubud at the Pertiwi Resort- 4 nights at the Prama Sanur Beach Bali Hotel

ITINERARY- Arrive in Bali and transfer to resort in Menjangan area. - 2 days of diving at Menjangan Island and nearby Permuteran.- 1 day of diving at Puri Jati- 2 days of diving Tulamben area including the USAT Liberty wreck.- 1 day of diving Amed- 1 day of sightseeing in Ubud- 1 day of diving Padang Bai or the eastern islands- 2 days of diving Nusa Penida and visit Uluwatu.- 1 day of sightseeing including Tanah Lot Temple.- Depart Bali or continue on to the liveaboard trip to Komodo!

Combine with our liveaboard trip to Komodo and save!

Dive SafariEssentials

Trip Includes: All accommodations at the resorts/hotels listed. First 10 people who sign up get a FREE room upgrade in Tulamben. Breakfast provided by the resorts. All transfers from and to the airport, resorts, and diving locations. 25 dives with FREE Nitrox. Lunch and drinks on diving days. Transportation on non-diving days to sightsee.Trip Does Not Include: Airfare, visa, & departure tax, dinner. Fees for entry into temples and local guides. Gratuities. Diver: $2295 per person/dbl occ. Non-diver: $1195 per person/dbl occ.

$500 Non-refundable deposit required

Recommended flight: China Airlines CI0007 LAX Aug 30 1:55 am TPE Aug 31 6:00 am CI0771 TPE Aug 31 9:15 am DPS Aug 31 2:20 pm

Komodo offers world class diving and snorkeling in an amazing variety of sites with walls, coral gardens, pinnacles, drop offs as well as quiet bays for macro photographers seeking rarely seen critters in black volcanic sand. Komodo is blessed by a flow of currents and cold water upwellings flowing to and from the Indian Ocean providing nutrient rich waters where swathes of soft corals, sponges, ascidians and clouds of brightly colored fish thrive. When the current´s right, exhilarating blue water, fish soup diving with explo-sions of fusiliers, jacks, sharks and other pelagic fish will leave you mesmerized for hours. Hang out with congregations of manta rays while they feed, clean and dance on the shallow reefs and rock formations.

1702 E. Prince Rd #150Tucson, AZ 85719

(520) 326-3483contact@azdiveshop.com

www.azdiveshop.com

The Komodo National Park is one of the world´s most diverse and interesting marine and wildlife parks with a total land area of 290 sq. miles. In 1980 Komodo's unique environment led it to become an UNESCO World Heritage site and in 2012 one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The Komodo National Park is home to a rare diversity of animals including wild deer, monkeys, and the world’s largest lizard, the famous Komodo dragon.

M/V MERMAID II LiveaboardOne of the most comfortable diver boats in Indonesia, the M/V Mermaid II easily accommodates 16 guests in 8 deluxe cabins and 2 guests in a budget cabin below deck. All deluxe cabins are on the main deck with large panoramic sea view windows and has a double bed and single bed (max 2 per cabin), air conditioning, and private en suite bathrooms. There is a wide stern dive platform with two exit ladders and fresh water

showers. The dive deck has plenty of room to gear up, camera table, and many rinse tanks. The dining room is located on the main deck where delicious buffet style Thai and western meals are served. The saloon is large and spacious with lounge suites and big windows, bar fridge, tea and coffee facilities, TV/DVD, music center, library and a full selection of marine life books. On board masseuse. Nitrox is available. Individual dive computers are required!

Arrive in Bali and stay at the Prama Sanur Beach Bali Hotel and board the M/V Mermaid II the next day. Cruise from Bali, with stops at Moyo Is., Santonda Is, and Sangeang Is., to Komodo National Park and back.

TRIP INCLUDES: Double occupancy accommodations at the Prama Sanur Beach Bali Hotel, 8 days/ 7 nights accommodation on M/V Mermaid II. 6 days of diving with a total of 20 dives including night dives. Visit to Komodo National Park to walk with the dragons. All meals, snacks, water, non-alcoholic drinks on board. All transfers from hotel to the liveaboard and back to the airport.

Trip does not include: Airfare, visa, departure tax, national park & port fees, beer or wine on board, massages, fuel surcharge if applicable, and tips. SAVE $100 on trip by signing up for the BALI Dive Safari!

$ 2975 per person/ dbl occ. Ask about budget cabins.Add Nitrox $125 for 20 dives. $500 Non-refundable deposit.

November 28 - December 5, 2015

S unBreeze Hotel is a perfect vacation getaway conveniently located within a stroll from the

quaint town of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. SunBreeze is optimally located to

explore the wonders of Belize. From the beautiful beaches and azure waters of the Caribbean,

to the Maya mountains, Belize has an adventure for everyone. Belize is home to the second

largest barrier reef in the world (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and to the famous Blue Hole.

The SunBreeze Hotel is an oceanfront property protected by a seawall boasting 42 spacious air

conditioned rooms and an onsite restaurant and bar. Their freshwater pool, surrounded by 10 ft. of wooden decking, is

quite the place to soak up the Belizean sunshine and to be caressed by the Caribbean breeze. There is also a massage

studio, art gallery, and complimentary early morning coffee.

SunBreeze’s on-site dive shop, Hugh Parkey’s Belize Dive Connection, can take care of all your

aquatic needs. Located at the beach front with boats departing from their private dock, the dive

sites are conveniently located within a short distance from the

dive center. Ambergris Caye is protected by the largest barrier

reef in the western hemisphere which gives lagoon-like

conditions between the shoreline and the dive sites.

Other Excursions: SunBreeze Hotel is the optimum hotel from which to explore the

wonders of Belize. Our professional team can assist you in coordinating all your activities,

including diving the Blue Hole, Turneffe Island, Lighthouse, and Glovers Reef, snorkel Shark Ray Alley, or explore the mainland and

visit the countless Mayan ruins, rainforests and reserves. The Belize Zoo, bird watching, mainland tours, cave tubing, zip line, are

amongst many of the attractions all within a boat ride from the hotel.

Package includes:

*Round trip air from Tucson to Belize and air transfer to and from Belize to Ambergris Caye

*7 nights at Sunbreeze Hotel w/2 per room

*5 days of 2 tank boat dives

*Transfers to and from airport (Ambergris Caye), taxes.

Not included: Fuel surcharge, marine park fee ($40) per diver, meals, and other excursions

$2186 Per diver - subtract $210 for non diver.

Add $490 for single occupancy $500 Non-Refundable deposit

Available Upgrades: $350 - per person to upgrade one of your existing 2 tank boat dives to a 3 tank BLUE HOLE trip including lunch!

1702 E. Prince Rd #150 Tucson, AZ 85719

(520) 326-3483 www.azdiveshop.com

Air schedule:

UA4973 28NOV TUS IAH 830A 1149A UA1410 28NOV IAH BZE 115P 347P UA1406 05DEC BZE IAH 455P 735P UA5157 05DEC IAH TUS 910P 1028P