Bottom Times: August 2026

Greetings and salutations, amigos!

Last month’s speaker brought us a little closer to the realities of diving by sharing actual cases of decompression sickness. One of my biggest takeaways was that DCS can happen to anyone…even when it seems like you did everything right. Some cases simply do not have a clear explanation, and I have to admit, that is a little concerning.

But there are things we CAN control. Stay hydrated, dive responsibly, and if something does not feel right after a dive, do not ignore it. Get on oxygen and seek help. Better to be safe and feel a little silly than to brush something off that turns out to be serious.

This month, we have another banger! Sean Taylor from The Bay Foundation will be presenting “Saving the Forgotten Forests: Palos Verdes Kelp Forest Restoration.” The kelp canopy off the Palos Verdes Peninsula has decreased by approximately 80% over the past 100 years. That is pretty incredible when you think about it. Any effort to bring back our beautiful Southern California kelp forests is something worth hearing about.

So, let us all come out and give Mr. Sean Taylor the warm CID welcome he deserves. Another presenter worthy of a cape!

I have only dove Palos Verdes once, and let me tell you...the shore entry can be downright scary. 👻Two years ago, during one of our pre-scuba show dives, we discovered that at low tide it was practically impossible to get in. Amazing jagged rock formations covered the entire shoreline… a remarkable work of nature...beautafull... However, from a diver’s point of view, it looked like you were walking straight into a meat grinder! No thanks… we packed up and dove Veterans Park instead. 😂😂

We also have a lot coming down the pipeline. Seventeen lucky divers are off on an adventure to Ensenada this Friday… Yay!! Then we have our yearly BBQ and dive at Refugio in September. Nothing beats a plate of BBQ surrounded by great people after a morning of diving...a smiling sun, blue skies, meat on the grill, and a cold drink in hand, a perfect tan in process... What else do you need? It is definitely one of the highlights of the year.

It is also one of those events where everybody comes out of the woodwork. All the CID remnants show up! 😂.. family members and friends.. We get our active divers in the water and our older and wiser retired divers enjoying the day from shore. Either way, everyone gets to hang out, tell some stories, eat some food, and enjoy the day together. That is what the club is all about.

Unfortunately, I will be away on work business this year, so you all are going to have to post LOTS of pictures for me. I would really appreciate it! I will be there in spirit. 😁

Our Cozumel trip is also coming together nicely. We are collecting final payments, and we have 22 divers and two normies joining us on this adventure. ^😉 Only a couple of months away!! I am really looking forward to this one.

And stay tuned for details on our November 21 Santa Cruz Island adventure. Club members with boats will be sailing out, while another group will make their way over with Island Packers. We will have 10 discounted tickets available for club members, so keep an eye out. More details and the itinerary are coming soon.

Lots of diving still ahead, my friends!

Okay, my dear friends, I will see you all Wednesday, August 19 at Black Bear Diner. Come by at 6:00 PM for some food and socializing😁 Our meeting officially kicks off at 6:30 PM.

Until then… keep on diving!

Delbert Stewart

President, Channel Islands divers.