Dolphin Underwater & Adventure Club August 2003 Newsletter

Dolphin Underwater
& Adventure Club
August 2003
Newsletter
Club President : Martin Saggers
Tel : 410 2363
Email : msaggers@xtra.co.nz
Editor : Angela Morgan
Tel : 446 1614
Email : an_cala@hotmail.com
Club Address : Margaret Howard
70 Sartors Ave, Browns Bay
North Shore City
Tel : 478 3905
Email : howardz@nznet.gen.nz
Dive Trips Officer : Martin Saggers
Adventure Stuart Robertson
Trips Officer: Tel : 416 9880
Email : jsrmarine@xtra.co.nz
TRIPS & EVENTS
NEXT MEETING : WEDNESDAY 13 TH August, 8.00pm
Milford Cruising Club, 24 Craig Road, Milford
Guest Speaker : Graham Thumath
On the plight of PADI and diving from the past
AUGUST 10 th
AUGUST 20 th
AUGUST 30 th
SEPT 27 th /28 th
Zion Hill Track
8 Km return walk along the west coast
from Karekare, Waitakeres
Rockclimbing at Rocknasium
610 Dominion Road
Little Barrier Island. Landing and
Exploring with the Enderbys.
Poor Knights Dive Trip on Ocean Blue
from Tutukaka. Can stay onboard
Friday night.
OCTOBER 8 th Speaker at Club’s October meeting :
Bob McDavitt – Meterologist & Met
Service Weather Ambassador
NOVEMBER 1 st Movie & Dinner night at the Westwind
Theatre, 177 Riversdale Rd, Avondale
NOVEMBER (Date
to be decided)
Long weekend at Sandy Bay,
Coromandel (nr Kennedy Bay) Fishing,
kayaking, walking, diving
10am start. More
details inside or call
Stu on 416 9880
7pm. All equipment
provided. $20
$80 inc DOC pass.
Boat leaves from Leigh
$$ details at meeting.
Martin, Les, Bruce, Bob,
Craig interested - space for
one more. Deposits req. at
meeting
FREE!
$20 per adult. Price
includes a roast dinner
and icecream!
If you’re interested in the Little Barrier trip let Martin know at the meeting or give him a call and
Dave Cook is organising a mountain bike ride around the Hunua Ranges for the very near future.
More details on Wednesday.
Anything else you’d like to do? Contact Stuart R or Martin S.

DOLPHIN UNDERWATER CLUB MEMBERS
ALIZON Guy & Barbra SLEITH 025 2747657 guybarb@yahoo.com
BRETT Martin 418 2332 mpb@phy.auckland.ac.nz
BUDDLE Christine & Paul 849 4828
BUTLER Tom 624 3505 021 2986125 M trbutler@xtra.co.nz
CASLING Dave & Tessie 476 3080 0274 921171 M
CHALMERS Craig & Ewa BOHM 444 6619 P chalmersbohm@xtra.co.nz
COOK Dave & Dianne DEMLER 525 0966 027 2761051 S diannedemler@hotmail.com
CRAIG Dave 094240647(W) 025 2996820 M
CUNNINGHAM Tony & Karen 479 2799 P tcandkc@xtra.co.nz
DIXON Allan & Jill 294 9182 0292 751158 allandixon@transpecs.co.nz
ENDERBY Tony & Jenny 09 422 6127 021 1671524 Enderby.t.j@xtra.co.nz
FREEMAN John & Kathy 478 4958 johnf@witblitz.net
FOONG KC, LeeLee & Yunkai 410 9009 kcfoong@ihug.co.nz
GOTTS Ken & Barbara 360 0552 Barbl@ihug.co.nz
LINSSEN
GRIFFITHS Laurie & Val 473 8413 Laurie.griffiths@xtra.co.nz
HOCKNEY Keith & Pauline 03 319 5426 025 2776437 S info@anchorinn.co.nz
HOWARD Peter & Margaret 478 3905 0274 822096 F howardz@nznet.gen.nz
HOUSTON Vivian & Rex MILTON 443 3440 P
LAWSON Reg & Caroline L Drca_Lawson@yahoo.com.au
MACKINVEN Keith & Cathy 479 1427 0274 878640 F cathy@cosnet.co.nz
McKIE Christine 483 5521 025 753 357 S
MARTIN Les & Jeanette 410 3860
MORGAN Stuart & Angela 446 1614 021 1369025 F an_cala@hotmail.com
NIXON Bruce & Sue 478 7186 M Bruce.Nixon@xtra.co.nz
NORTHEY Jill & Roberto TONEI 418 3222 0256777589 F Tonei.r@clear.net.nz
PEARSON Trevor & Lesley 412 8061 badger@nznet.co.nz
ROBERTSON Stuart 416 9880 025 975314 M jsrmarine@xtra.co.nz
SAGGERS Martin & Kate ELLIS 410 2363 M msaggers@xtra.co.nz
SHAW Bob & Liz 473 1711 021 599 927 bob@machine-ware.co.nz
STAFFORD-BUSH Brian & Paddy 445 3073 025 908 900 paddysbush@xtra.co.nz
SWINGLER Rob & Tom & Edwina 021 186 9476 F r.swingler@gcc.intnet.mu
VALE Roy & Carol 09 432 0494 025 275 2238
WARWICK Fiona 482 0135 025 6472227 fiona.warwick@tgtlegal.com
M=Financial F=Family S=Social H=Honarary L=Life P=Prospective
Club fees are now overdue for 2003-2004
Please send to Margaret Howard, 70 Sartors Ave, Browns Bay, North Shore City
Family Membership $50 - Single $40 - Junior $30 - Social $25
Are your details correct? Please let Margaret know your email address or any other details
you wish to change or add to the membership list.
LIFE & HONORARY MEMBERS
BARNES Barry L 418 3624
HORTON Brian L 444 6852
SLARK Eileen & Tony L 445 3155
THUMATH Graham H 838 8593
TONEI Roberto L 418 3222
LAWSON Reg L 483 4108

COMMITTEE MEMBERS : 2003/2004
Patron Tony Slark 445 3155 aslark@clear.net.nz
President Martin Saggers 410 2363 msaggers@xtra.co.nz
Vice-President Stuart Morgan 446 1614 An_cala@hotmail.com
Secretary/Treasurer Margaret Howard 478 3905 howardz@nznet.gen.nz
(Tel/Fax)
Dive Trips Officer Martin Saggers 410 2363 msaggers@xtra.co.nz
AdventureTrips Officer Stuart Robertson 416 9880 jsrmarine@xtra.co.nz
Editor Angela Morgan 446 1614 An_cala@hotmail.com
Committee
PRESI’S RAMBLINGS
Tom Butler
624 3505
Peter Howard
0274 822096
Bob Shaw
473 1711
Fiona Warwick
482 0135
Greetings all for August. We can’t complain about the weather the last two weeks, that’s for sure.
The last two Sundays I have been on the briny, it’s been like Lake Pupuke on a calm day. KC and I
caught a few Schnapps, all pan size, out the back of Rakino, but not until KC caught two Squid,
jigging, after the schnappers ate all our pillies. After that it was line on the bottom and straight back
up again, with a fish on (my kind of fishing). Then the next Sunday, scallop searching at Tiri. Brian
very kindly took his boat, with very short notice, with Laurie and Bruce as crew, and KC in his boat
with Margaret, Peter (still can’t get him in the water, makes a good boatman though) and me. No
shortage of scallops but most of them were short and skinny, it is true what they say, BUY THEM AT
THE SUPERMARKET it’s cheaper and you don’t get wet , not as much fun though. Thanks Brian and
KC for the day.
Bob has been busy electronically corresponding with charter skippers at Tutakaka. We have a trip
coming up in Sept with Glen Edney on his new boat, and surprise surprise Norseman is plying her
trade up there still.
All who are doing the Zion track have a magic day and don’t get soggy socks (Angela’s quote). I’m
off to Christchurch, see you all at the meeting.
CHIT CHAT …..
Dig out your walking boots and pack your picnic for this Sunday’s (10 th ) walk along the Zion Hill
Track. We’ll meet at 10.00am at the carpark, on the right just past the small township of Karekare.
Phone Stu for more details – 416 9880.
Graham Thumath is coming along to the meeting next Wednesday to talk about the plight of PADI
and telling us a few stories from the past. It will be an excellent opportunity to bring along any old
photos you have of club trips from years gone by and Graham may be able to tell us the story behind
them. Fiona’s going to come with the Club’s album, but if you have other photos then bring them
along.
Dates for your diary : Our speaker for our October meeting on the 8 th will be the South Pacific
weather guru – Bob McDavitt. Bob is the Met Service’s Weather Ambassador and his daily
weathergrams guided us across the Pacific when we sailed down here from Tonga. He is a real
enthusiast and expert on the subject of weather which, in his words, is ‘a mix of pattern and chaos’.
Come along and hear all about it.
Tom has organised another movie night at the Westwind Theatre for Saturday 1 st November, so note
that date in your diary. Further details about the film that’s showing will follow nearer the time.
See you on Wednesday.
Angela

'Norseman to stay at the Poor Knights!' ..
Formerly 'Norseman Charters', now trading as Poor Knights Liveaboards'
To Phil's existing valued customers we would like to introduce ourselves and pass on the good news that
the Norseman is going to stay at the Poor Knights and continue catering to 'focussed' divers wishing to
experience Northland's finest diving. Phil is a legendary character and has left some big boots for us to
fill; -I am sure you will all miss him and his vast knowledge of these waters (as well as his jokes!) -but be
assured we are going to strive to uphold his tradition of providing the best liveaboard dive experience to
the Poor Knights and beyond.
After 22-years the Norseman has become an icon in Tutukaka, a strong and seaworthy boat that is
infinitely practical to dive from after nearly quarter of a century of Phil's refinements! While we don't
presume to improve on her practicality we are sprucing her up a bit inside and out to make her even more
comfortable, and adding a few small touches to make your dive charters with us more enjoyable; (camera
wash-bins, individual dive stations, a barbecue etc). In the saloon we have added a VCR to complement
our onboard underwater video camera, enabling us to re-live and discuss your dive over coffee in comfort!
As past customers we would appreciate hearing from you if there is anything else you can suggest we
incorporate!
Another change…we are now running Norseman with two crew, Dave Abbott and his partner Jess.
Some of you will know Dave from his last 5-years working as a skipper and
guide at the Poor Knights where he has logged well over 1000 dives. Both Dave and Jess are
accomplished underwater photographers (Dave is a regular contributor to Dive New Zealand magazine)
with an intimate knowledge of the Poor Knights marine life and divesites. This means that for those who
would like it, we can offer you a dive guide with real local knowledge of the 'Knights -not to mention the
option of a fully catered charter for those who want to eat like kings while taking a break from cooking!
We also believe this will allow us to provide a higher level of safety and service.
Group charters can be customised to YOUR requirements, from a few days at the Poor Knights to a week
exploring your favourite locations -or tell us what your interests are and we will put an itinerary together
for you! Don't have a group but would like to get on a multi-day charter with like-minded people? ..drop
us a line and we will try to coordinate it for you. We can also help arrange transport from Whangarei and
shore based accommodation for those who require it; although if you are driving up to Tutukaka for the
night before your charter, you are welcome to stay on the boat at no extra cost!
With regards to pricing we are endeavouring to keep close to Phil's past charter rates and offer a
competitive package while keeping quality uncompromised. Per day rate for the vessel is $800 +GST
(there will still be 8 charter berths available), or for divers wishing to make individual bookings or book on
scheduled trips the rate will be $160 per head. This means that you only need a group of five to make
chartering the whole boat economical.
(Note: It is worth keeping in mind that diving on a day boat at the Poor Knights will cost you around $100
for 2 dives at sites which you have no control over, then an additional $60 or so for accommodation.
Compare that to 3-4 dives per day at the sites YOU want to dive, accommodation inclusive for the same
price or less!).
For Phil's past 'research diving clients' we will be offering a discounted 'Science and Research' charter
rate, and/or can provide experienced and OSH certified research divers if required. An additional service
we can offer in this area is broadcast quality underwater video capability and underwater photography
using professional equipment.

In addition to the regular dive charter activities we are introducing a few new charter options,-including
introductory photo and video workshops for new photographers, specialist photo/video charters in search
of 'blue-water' marine life beyond the Knights, and exploration of deep reefs and coastal pinnacles/
wrecks via ROV (Remote operated vehicle) with ROV operator Keith Gordon. This is a great option for
non-divers or those with an interest in deep-water life and ocean exploration technology!
For those of you who share our passion for marine life take a few minutes to check out our interactive
project website; www.eyeonthesea.co.nz where you can stay up to date with interesting marine life
sightings from the Poor Knights and around NZ. You can log your own underwater sightings and divesite
descriptions on this site too; browse underwater images on the gallery page or check out updates from
other submitters. We will shortly have an additional website online at: www.divepoorknights.com for you
to refer to (or refer others to!), and will continue to send you regular 'newsletters' on planned charter
trips and current dive conditions; ie water temperature, visibility, and what we have been seeing out at
the Poor Knights recently…at the moment we have 15C, 30m+ vis and Bronze whalers regularly being
sighted on the East side of the islands!
Anyway, we look forward to having you out on the Norseman with us for a dive trip in the near future. In
the meantime ‘Good Diving’.
Dave, Tony & Jess - Poor Knights Liveabords Ltd
For information or bookings contact :
Dave on 0274 300 555 info@divepoorknights.com (04) 475 8760 www.divepoorknights.com
Did you know …….
v The sea urchin is named after the old English word for Spiny Hedgehog.
v They move by regulating the amount of water they let inside their bodies.
v A sea urchin’s skeleton – the shell that is left when its spines fall off – is called a
‘test’.
v The sea urchin eats through its ‘beak’ and this is sometimes called its Aristotle
Lantern. They use the beak to scrape off algae from rocks. As one beak wears
down, another will grow in its place.
v Sea urchins eat Plankton, Kelp, Barnacles, Algae and Mussels – not dead fish as first
thought.
v The eggs of the sea urchin are a delicacy in parts of Asia and also New Zealand.

OceanBlue Adventures
Newsletter No 2, 22 July 2003
Welcome to our second newsletter. We have just returned from a five day trip to the Poor Knights with a keen group
of divers from Wellington. Peter, Chris, his son Jordan and John (actually now living in Auckland but a
Wellingtonion at heart) arrived with a van full of gear including 2 sets of twin tanks, 2 massive 18 litre tanks and a
nitrox mixing panel. We already had the 2 giant G size O2 cylinders stowed on board, enough to keep them diving
nitrox for the whole week.
We were blessed with settled weather conditions that had the Wellingtonions almost believing the winterless north
myth. Mind you, with 25 plus metres visibility and 15 to 16 degree water temperatures it can sometimes be hard to
convince those from further south that this really is winter.
Diving highlights included Bronze whaler sharks in Northern Arch, cruising amongst the pink and blue maomao and
large snapper. Cream Gardens delivered more bronzies, the first that Chris had seen in his many years diving New
Zealand waters. Other highlights throughout the week included a deep penetration into Taravana Cave where they
were greeted by some huge snapper lurking in the gloom of the inner chamber. Blue Maomao Arch delivered some
of the best visibility I have seen all year. John and I hovered in 10 metres of water at the eastern end to the arch and
could easily see the western entrance 40 metres away. Diving the archway at different times of the day is allowing
us to build up a better picture of the comings and goings of the schools of blue maomao and demoiselles. Early
morning and late afternoon seem to be the best times to see the really large gatherings. So far, every night dive has
found the archway absolutely chocker block full of fish suggesting its use as a dormitory for these day time plankton
eaters.
Back at the marina we have been spending some time developing our website which is now up and running.
www.oceanblue.co.nz Our aim is to keep the site simple and easy to navigate so don’t expect any frills. Over the
next couple of weeks we will get the photo gallery posted and continue to refine the other pages. We welcome any
feedback you might have about the site.
We have also finalised our bookings calendar until February next year (see the attachment to this newsletter). The
bookings calendar will be posted on the website and will be updated weekly so that you can easily see what trips are
coming up and their availability. If you want to make a group booking scheduled trips can be changed to suit your
group’s requirements. Just give us a call or email and let us know what you would like to do.
Lastly, you will notice on the website that we are offering a digital photography workshop. We have noticed a huge
increase in the number of divers with digital cameras in their kit bag. Some have switched from film while others are
trying underwater photography for the first time. But whether you’re using film or digital the basic fundamentals of
underwater photography remain the same. I have developed the workshop to suit beginner to intermediate
photographers to help you get the most out of your equipment. We also have a digital system onboard for you to use
if you want to give it a try before you take the plunge. Tuition in film photography is also available.
Well, that’s about it for now. Hopefully you are all getting some good diving in and we look forward to seeing you
soon.
Happy diving,
Glenn, Tiana & Samantha
Useful links …….
If you haven’t already signed the petition to protect the foreshore and beaches for all of us
to use then go to www.PetitionOnline.com/beaches/
www.hydro.linz.govt.nz
Tide tables
www.enderby.co.nz
Tony and Jenny Enderby’s web site
www.eyeonthesea.co.nz Interactive website where you can stay up to date with interesting
marine life sightings from the Poor Knights and around NZ. You can log your own underwater
sightings and divesite descriptions on this site too.

NZ Herald snippets
Woman shatters free-diving record
23.07.2003
LONDON - A British woman has broken one of the toughest sporting records by holding her breath and
diving 122m under the Caribbean sea.
Human submarine Tanya Streeter held her breath for three minutes and 38 seconds during her
underwater odyssey.
Streeter, 30, shattered the woman's free-diving record of 95m in the category which requires the diver to
swim back to the surface after riding to the depths on a weighted sled.
She also narrowly beat the men's record of 120m in her dive yesterday in the Turks and Caicos Islands
off the coast of Florida.
"I've proved that free diving can be done safely and responsibly. The record probably won't sink in until
I've read about it, but for now I can say it feels good," the Daily Telegraph quoted her as saying.
Diving to such depths without the aid of breathing apparatus is extremely dangerous and people have
been killed in pursuit of the sport. As the diver descends pressure increases and forces the lungs to
compress.
In addition the brain can be starved of oxygen, leading to unconsciousness and drowning.
Streeter said she developed various exercises and techniques to allow her to survive at such deep
levels - expanding her rib cage to fill her lungs with extra air and exhaling heavily just before she
descends in order to reduce the level of carbon dioxide in her body.
THAI FISH CAKES
Recipe of the month
Perfect throw together recipes for us busy divers.
500 grams fine or medium textured fish
1 stalk lemon grass or lemon rind finely ground
1-teaspoon grated fresh root ginger
1-tablespoon red curry paste
1-tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
2-tablespoons coconut cream
1-tablespoon fish sauce
2-mint leaves
2-tablespoons butter or oil for frying
Cut the fish into 5cm cubes and place in a food processor with all the
ingredients except butter. Pulse until the fish mixture is well chopped,
but not like a paste.
Mould into small fish cakes. Heat the clarified butter and cook the fish
cakes for about 3 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels and serve
with your favourite sauce.