SEPTEMBER PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Our summer is practically over! Where did it go? We patiently wait for its arrival all winter and dream about warm water, it comes, and then it’s gone. That’s the bad news. The good news is that the water is still warm and we still have a couple of months to enjoy it before it chills down.
Our annual seafood festival will be held at the VFW on September 23.To avoid the ire of Joe, make sure your seafood is defrosted. Don’t forget to bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert. We will provide the usual wine, beer, soft drinks and water. Please do not bring your own alcohol. I hope to see a lot of you there. Feel free to invite guests. Price for members $10 and for guests $15
On September 16 and 17 we are going to hopefully get a glimpse of the Goliath Groupers that use that wrecks as a romantic getaway. We will be on the Kyalami Two. Please see the calendar for all of the details.
Despite my somber opening, we still have lots of warm water dives on the schedule. Be sure to sign up and join us.

Live long and lobster!

Jeff Raffa

President SFDI

AUGUST PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Our annual member appreciation beach picnic was a great success. We had almost 40 people in attendance and I think everyone had a good time. The weather could not have been better and the food was terrific. Much gratitude to Steve Oller who plans the whole thing, shops for the food and gets it to the beach. Thanks also to Joe Smariga for manning the grill. We appreciate your efforts.

Lobster mini season was pretty successful, from what I hear most everyone caught their limit on Wednesday. I didn’t go out on Thursday but I hear it wasn’t bad. I’m hoping that opening day will be productive with good sea conditions.

The water is quite warm now, at long last. It’s so nice to only have to wear a one ml wetsuit and shed some of the lead. It sure is easier climbing up the ladder with less weight.

The El President birthday dive was a fun day. There were twelve of us on the boat to join me in celebrating my birthday. We did two reef dives up in Boynton  Beach. It was like diving in
an aquarium, lots of fish and lots of interesting stuff. Two great dives. Afterwards we went to lunch at Two George’s which is always good. Thanks to everyone who came out to play with me.

We have several dives on the calendar so let’s get diving. As I said, the water is more than balmy so lets take advantage of it.

I hope to see many of you at the August meeting and hopefully on a dive boat.

Live long and lobster

Jeff Raffa
President SFDI
Jeff

JULY PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

                                                           Presidents Message

A group of twenty-one members went to Cozumel for a week beginning June 17 through June 24. To say we had a great time would be an understatement. Everything was terrific! We stayed at the beautiful Iberostar Cozumel, as we have many times in the past. We dived with Dressel Divers, the on site dive operator. We were given our own boat and we were broken up into 3 groups, each with our own divemaster/guide. Our divemasters were terrific. They were very attentive to our needs and we grew to be quite fond of them during the course of the week. The dive sites were the sites we have been on several times in the past which I personally never grow tired of. The coral was in fantastic condition and the visibility was amazing. The water temperature was around 85 degrees. The rain gods were good to us as we only had a couple of sprinkles which didn't last long and didn't interfere with anything. All in all it was a great week of diving.

After diving was usually lunch time and that was followed by hanging out in the pool with the two swim up bars. Dinner was always fun and we all sat together at one long table. A the week progressed, some of us went to try the specialty restaurants. There were mixed reviews about them except for the Asian restaurant. The main attraction there I think was the air conditioning. Yes, the buffet restaurant is open air and  isn’t air conditioned. It can be a little steamy at times. The wait staff does a great job bussing the tables and keeping the beverages coming. 

All in all, as I said we had a great time and I personally would like to go back next year if at all possible. Its a place I don’t get tired of. 

We have a very full calendar. Be sure to check it out and sign up for as many activities as possible. I’m hoping to see a lot of you all this summer.

Live long and lobster.

Jeff

President SFDI

MAY PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Happy May everyone! Spring has finally sprung and we are getting some warmer weather and warmer water. Hallelujah! 

Our pig roast was a great party even if the attendance was a little low. That was 
expected due to the postponement from the previous week. I think everyone there
had a good time. The weather couldn't have been better and the breeze kept the 
mosquitoes away. As usual, thanks to Joe for his hard work and many hours at the   grill. 

With dive season upon us, please be sure to check your equipment and bring it to your dive shop and have it serviced if necessary. A couple of weeks ago there were two equipment malfunctions on a dive boat I was on. Luckily, no one was injured but in both cases those divers were done diving for the day. An equipment failure on the boat or at the surface is one thing but at depth its a whole other story. Don’t take a chance on your safety or that of your dive buddy.

We have lots of activities planned for the coming months. Please check out the calendar and join us for some fun. Be sure to fill out an E signup sheet so that we know you are coming. Some activities are payable at the time of the event and others require payment to the club before the event. If a payment to the club is necessary, please make that payment promptly. Another reminder about PayPal payments. Please take your time when paying by PayPal. You must choose sending to friends and family or your payment will default to paying for goods or services and you will incur a non refundable fee. Please be careful!

At this late date in the year the vast majority of the membership has paid their dues but unfortunately there are several of you that haven’t. Remember, you must be a member in good standing to take part in most of the club’s activities.

Live long and lobster.

Jeff Raff
President SFDI