Speakers and programs at the club help our club members learn about diving, dive locations, diving ecology, and dive equipment. We thank all our speakers and recognize them here so others can learn more.

Previous Programs

2011

December

First was Rick Hartley (a past president of the Southern California Dive Club of the Inland Empire-SCDCIE). He showed picture of his trip to the Big Island including diving at Kona.

Our second speakers were Josh Myers (who talked last month) and his friend Mike Slavinsky. They talked about commercial diving and Mike filled us in on the training with GUE (Global Underwater Explorers).

Great job by all speakers, thanks.

November

Josh Myers, a commercial diver, returned this month and gave another very interesting and enlightening talk on his commercial diving activities and safety considerations. Thank you Josh.

October

Due to confusion and a lost email we filled in this month with a video from DAN. The video was titled "I May be Bent... Now What?". It was timely as the Carter's had just returned from the Sea of Cortez where a diver had suffered a case of the skin bends. Thank you to DAN for supplying this video free to dive shops and clubs for free.

September

This month we had a slide show of Ron Springer's trip to Palau. Some great pictures and a great slide show put together on very short noticd by his wife Loretta. Thank you both.

August

Brian Johnson from REEF (see www.reef.org) told us about their fish survey projects and how we can get involved and contribute. Thank you Brian.

July

Since we did not have a speaker for the month we had an enjoyable meeting with our own stories and conversations.

June

Chris Fuller from Aqua-Lung returned to gave another very interesting presentation on new products from Aqua-Lung and their family of companies. He told about his experience using their travel line of equipment. He also gave away some great prizes. Thanks Chris.

May

Josh Myers, a commercial diver, gave a very interesting and enlightening talk on his commercial diving activities. Thank you Josh.

April

The program for April was a report on the demo day and tour at AquaLung, a short tour of the web site and new member photo galleries, and a short excerpt of REEF's Sensational Seas video.

March

Showed a video of underwater treasure hunting. Also showed a video of diving in Belize provided by Carlo La Placa.

February

Melvin Pasley (Lt Col (ret) US Army), President of the Disabled veterans SCUBA Project (www.DisabledVeteransScubaProject.org) gave an very interesting talk on this program. He has trained paraplegics, quadriplegics, and blind veterans. Looking forward to being on dive trips with him in the future.

January

Jonathan Blake showed his latest video from his trip to the Visaya Islands. He will told us about his latest trip to Lembah. Another great video with an amazing number of creatures.

2010

December

We showed the final portion of the video "Sensation Seas II". This is a fund raiser for REEF (www.reef.org).

November

Robin Boroch gave a great presentation on diving in the Philippines. Great videography! Thanks Robin. Robin is a Marina Biologist and videographer for the Discovery Channel and others.

October

ShawnGibbs, PADI Assistant Instructor (he teaches underwater photography) and owner of Beneath the Surface (www.beneaththesurface1.com)a manufacturer of trays for underwater photography and a dealer of Olympus cameras. He showed us his line of trays and told us why he developed the product. He also showed us a sample of his underwater photos. Thank you Shawn.

September

Ken Kurtis gave his talk "Why Divers Die". Good information to help keep all of us safe. Ken is the owner of Reef Seekers Dive Company, a consultant to the Los Angeles County Coroner for SCUBA accidents, a regular speaker at the SCUBA Show, and a contributor to California Diving News. This program should be great and give us information on avoiding diving accidents. (see www.reefseekers.com)

August

Alan Blake from gave a very inspirational talk about his activities with disabled divers. This was a great presentation.

July

Jonathan Blake showed his video of his trip to Raja Ampat. Great work as always Jonathan.

June

We showed a portion of the video "Sensation Seas II". This is a fund raiser for REEF (www.reef.org).

May

Kevin Lee gave a great talk on his trip to Antarctica. Kevin is an underwater photographer and had some great shots from the trip. Thanks Kevin. See more at diverkevin.com.

April

We had a video on the sinking of artificial reefs in British Columbia. This gives us some idea of what we look forward to when we get to sink the USS Monticello.

March

Chris Fuller from Aqua-Lung gave a very interesting presentation on new products from Aqua-Lung and their family of companies along with interesting history and information on manufacturing. Thanks Chris.

Also thanks to Ron Springer for his presentation on California Ships to Reefs and Steve Siegel for his interesting and entertaining report of his trip to Cancun.

February

Our member Jonathan Blake showed his latest video of his trip to Komodo (Indonesia). Another great video. Thanks Jonathan.

January

Marine biologist Robin Boroch entertained us with his talk on dive travel in Southeast Asia. He is also an underwater videographer and has spent over 25 years traveling the world, researching and exploring the natural history of both marine and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. Through his extensive use of video he has created an outstanding library of reference material on underwater flora and fauna. He showed some of his underwater video which he has collected on his trips working with the Discovery Channel and others. Thank you Robin.

2009

December

Steve Abrams, PADI Assistant Instructor and Underwater Photographer, gave a very helpful talk on under photography. This was a small part of his 6 hour classroom portion of the underwater photography specialty. I think we all learned something.

November

Jonathan Blake showed another of his wonderful videos. This one was "Diving the Wakatobi Archipelago in the Sulawesi Sea." Thank you Jonathan.

October

This month we had videos/slide shows from members. Ron and Loretta Springer and Ed and Debbie Lux showed their trip to Aruba. Mike and Sharol Carter showed their trip to Hawaii. And Jimmy Stilley showed a video/slide show from his trip to Hawaii. Thanks to all.

September

A special thanks to Jonathan Blake for showing his video of his trip to the Soloman Islands. Thanks again Jonathan.

August

Our speaker was Karl Huggins of the USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber. He gave a talk about dive computers. He is the co-inventor of the EDGE dive computer, one of the first commercially viable dive computers. It was another great talk from Karl.

July

Our speaker was Dr. Bill Bushing. He is a Marine Ecologist who lives on Catalina. He showed us a video he shot on Farnsworth Bank, Catalina. It is a site that many people try and would like to dive but conditions rarely permit it. It was very interesting.

June

Frank "Franko" Nielson of Frankos Maps gave a great talk about how he started and more. It was a great talk. Check out his web site at FrankosMaps.

May

Anthony Wiley (owner of Wiley's Scuba Locker in Riverside) entertained us with pictures and stories of his days as a Navy diver. It was a very interesting presentation.

April

Jonathan Blake was kind enough to show his video from his trip to the Maldives. Again, it was very nice.

March

Jonathan Blake showed his video from his trip to Sipadan. Very nice. He also showed a teaser from his trip to the Maldives. Looking forward to more.

February

Mike Richer showed a video of the Sundiver dive boat operation and captains. The club scheduled a dive on the Sundiver.

January

Suzy and Al showed a video of the seahorse farm in Hawaii. It was very interesting and shows the great success they are having in raising seahorses.

2008

December

Karl Huggins, the Program Manager of the USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber, gave a talk on the Chamber and dive accident protocols and analysis. He was also the co-inventor of the first commercial dive computer (the Orca Edge), recipient of the 1993 DAN/Rolex Diver of the Year Award and 2008 California Scuba Service Award.

November

Alberto Mantovani of DiveNav (www.divenav.com) gave us a very interesting presentation on eDiving. eDiving is a virtual diving program available free. Thanks Alberto.

October

Joel Geldin of California Ships to Reefs Orange County region. He told us about what is all about and upcoming plans. Thanks Joel.

September

A video where the underwater videography was done by Annie Crawley (www.anniecrawley.com). She is a videographer, scuba instructor, and boat captain from Santa Barbara, CA.

August

Richard Hill, General Manager of Catalina Cylinders, showed a video of how aluminum cylinders are made. The video was fascinating. He also answered questions from our members and guest. Thanks Rick.

July

Suzy Degazon gave a great presentation on specialty classes available and why you may want to take them. She also showed a video with pictures from her travels, diving, and diving with people here. Thanks Suzy.

May

We had a video from Diver's Alert Network titled "I May be Bent... Now What?".

April

Brian Meux from Santa Monica Baykeeper told us about the work on the Marine Protected Areas that will be coming. The public input is going on now and we are encouraged to participate. He also told us about their efforts to bring back kelp beds along the coast.

March

Laleh Mohajerani, president of Iemanya Oceanic. She spoke about their shark preservation efforts.

February

Our own Jonathan Blake gave a talk and slide show of his trip to Palau.

January

Gordon Boivin of Laguna Sea Sports gave a very interesting talk of dive computers and what they are really telling you. We thank Gordon for being the club's very first speaker and giving a great talk.