JDD - Recent Events

Recent Events

Blue Heron Bridge Dive
Over a dozen members met for a Fourth of July morning dive at the Blue Heron Bridge to participate in REEF's Great Annual Fish Count. Mike Phelan led the group and helped us to identify a few new species. The dive was followed by a club sponsored BBQ.
July Club Meeting
Member Mike Phelan presented the club with the latest information on the status of the exotic, invasive Lionfish and REEF's efforts to irradicate the threat. The statistics are alarming and South Florida will be impacted in the near future.

Mike also presented a identification information with video of unusual fish to expect to see at the Blue Heron Bridge.
June Club Dive
Several members enjoyed a beautiful South Florida afternoon on the American Dream out of Ft. Lauderdale. The first dive, at Tenneco Towers was a little rough for some and turned into a drift dive for most. The second dive, a planned drift dive on a little-known reef, Paradise, was much more enjoyable for everyone.
June Club Meeting
Movie Night - Sharkwater
An absolutely heartbreaking documentary about the killing of sharks for their fins and one man's journey to try to stip it. More chilling than any of the rhetoric surrounding "global warming propaganda", this film shows us that there really is a way for man to kill the planet. A must see.
Mothers' Day Blue Heron Bridge Dive
Several members met at Phil Foster Park to reprise the April "bridge dive". This is quickly becoming a club favorite activity due to the relative inexpensiveness, ease and proximity, as well as the special critters that can be found there. There is always a fun social after the dive to share good food and experiences.
May Club Dive
Saturday, May 17th, members enjoyed a discounted dive from the Jupiter Dive Center on the Republic IV.
Kayaking
Sunday, May 4, members met at Riverbend Park for kayak/canoe trip down the Wild and Scenic Loxahatchee River. Great fun was had by all.
May Club Meeting
Sean Sculley from South Florida Water Management gave members a presentation on the Everglades restoration project.
April Club Dive
On Sunday, April 20, members enjoyed a reef cleanup dive at a steep discount provided by Jupiter Dive Center.
April Blue Heron Bridge Dive
Members and friends met at Phil Foster Park to dive the bridge and picnic afterwards.
April Club Meeting
Members where treated to a lively explanation of what to expect and look for while diving the Blue Heron Bridge. The speaker was Hamilton "Ham" Mason of Jupiter Dive Center.
March Club Meeting
Lesley Vincent-Ryder, Education Coordinator of the Ft. Pierce Manatee Center, gave club members an interesting and comprehensive presentation about the Manatee. She informed us about the history, distribution, life cycle, habits, as well as current conditions and concerns. We all came away with a deeper understanding of these gentle creatures.
February Club Dive
Jupiter Dive Center, Republic VII
Sunday, February 17
Trip report to follow
February Club Meeting
Lourdes Ferris, Executive Director of Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Inc., informed members on the mission of her organizations, several hot topics that they focus on and on ways to help protect the environment and encourage others to do so.
January Club Meeting
Mike Phalen gave the club members an explanation of the REEF organization and a presentation on the 'top fish' for this area. (Who knew that tails, spots and bars could be so important.) In conjunction with Jupiter Dive Center, Mike will be offering an eight-week course of in-depth fish identification courses. Starting Thursday, January 17 and every other Thursday after for a total of four sessions, we will meet at JDC from 6:00-8:00PM for class. The following Sunday there will be a(n optional) dive to practice. Contact JDC, if you are interested. The price is $95.00 for the class work. Dives not included, of course.
Club Holiday Party
Over twenty members and guests gathered for a fun evening of food, music and prizes. Jupiter Dive Center and Divers Direct graciously donated gift certificates, air cards and other diving goodies which were drawn for by those attending. Park Avenue Grill catered ribs, chicken and all the fixens. Thanks to Veronica for her hard work in putting the evening together.
November Club Meeting
Grant Stoecklin and Erick Ault of Helter Skeletons amazed the group with their artwork. The company produces fully articulated skeletal art from sea life. Their stated mission is:

We create interesting skeletal pieces that are intended to both engage and captivate the viewer. We offer both custom fish mounting services as well as a range of mounted pieces that are designed around our customer base, which may span from the sport fisherman to the unique art collector. Shown below are the four "architects" of HelterSkeletons. Each member has a different background and specialty that is focused toward a common goal:

"Pushing the limits of possibility"
October Club Meeting
Members presented the group with photos and video from their recent Bahamas trip. Included was extensive footage of the 'shark dive', an ever popular Bahamas adventure. Jerry got some awsome shots on this trip!
September Club Field Trip, September 22, 2007
If you missed this one, you missed an opportunity of a lifetime! Fourteen members carpooled or caravaned to Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium, in Sarasota. Of course we toured the Marine Mammal Research and Rehabilitation Center and the Mote Aquarium, which are open to the general public and quite interesting. In addition, though, we were taken behind the scenes by FOJDD Melissa Sparks to meet the current patients, Betty and Bam Bam. They are two surviving Risso Dolphinsi of four that were found stranded near Bonita Beach on May 4, 2007. Risso Dolphins are never seen in the wild by divers, due to their preference for offshore habitats. Our group was mesmerized while watching the behavior of the mother and calf. The center plans to release these now healthy patients during the coming week.
September Club Dive
Thirteen JDD members participated in International Beach Cleanup Day by diving Jupiter's home reefs with cleanup in mind. They collected an assortment of debris, including boat parts, fishing line, cans and bottles. Several members enjoyed dinner at the Crab House afterwards.
September Club Meeting
Jeff Lucas, founding JDD president, delighted the club members with a rousing game of "Dive Jeopardy". Three members, John Riehl, Misty Hood and Christine Touhy, were Jeopardy contestants, receiving "funny money" prizes for correctly posing the question for Dive Safety answers. Treasurer Brad Elling played 'Vanna'. Everyone had a good refresher course in safe diving. Jeff and Jupiter Dive Center have offered discount Rescue Diver and CPR courses for members. Send email to Jeff Lucas, if you are interested.
2007 Bahamas Trip
August 24 thru September 1
Fourteen club members and two quickly adopted new friends spent the week aboard the Gulf Stream Eagle in the Bahamas. The diving was great! The food was awsome. They claim there were sharks on every dive. Enjoy Jerry's pictures here.
August Club Meeting
The speaker at the August 7th meeting was Ed Tichenor of Palm Beach County Reef Rescue. [website} Ed informed the group about the mission of his organization, which is "to monitor, preserve, and protect the coral reef ecosystem of South Florida through research, education, and public awareness".
July Club Dive
Although July 21, 2007 was cloudy and rainy, club members enjoyed two of the most beautiful reefs off of Jupiter on the Republic IV. At Area 51, we swam with Goliath Groupers, observed huge sea turtles, a Spotted Eagle Ray and big green Morays, as well as an abundance of fish life that's hard to beat anywhere. At the end of the dive, we encountered so many reef sharks that everyone had a different opinion on the count. The second dive was at the ever popular Tunnels site, where we were treated to the usual array of sea life. A group dinner at the Jupiter Ale House followed.
July Club Meeting
On the evening of July 10th, the Jupiter Branch Library meeting room was filled with JDD members and visitors for a lively presentation by Master Captain Robert Bouchlas. Captain Bob's tales of the 'Mysteries of Treasure Hunting' had us all wanting us to search for lost treasure with him.
June Club Dive
June 16, 2007 was an absolutely beautiful day, despite weather predictions. Fourteen club members, including three who joined on-the-spot, dove two of the most beautiful reefs off of Jupiter on the Republic IV. We saw huge sea turtles, nurse sharks and big green Morays, as well as an abundance of fish life that's hard to beat anywhere. We even got charter member Brad Elling back in the water with us after a two-year recovery from a 'bowling injury' sustained at another club event!
June Club Meeting
Chuck Thiess from the Navy Seal Museum entertained members with stories from the early days of the Navy Seals. He has invited members to tour the museum in Ft. Pierce. (This is where it all started, folks!)
May Club Dive
Several club members spent a morning diving on the Narcosis out of WPB.
May Club Meeting
Forty+ members and visitors were entertained and enlightened by a presentation by husband and wife team, Shirley Pomponi and Don Liberatore from Harbor Branch. Their topic, "Looking From the Inside Out" chronicled their more than thirty years experience with submersible research around the globe.
Miami Club Dive
Ten JDD members dove the Tacoma and Dema Trader on
Saturday, April 7, 2007. It was a beautiful day! We had so
much fun that two non-members asked to be in the group
photo. Hopefully they will join us as members, soon.
April 2007 Meeting
Michael Patrick O'Neill presented photo essays on the Goliath
Grouper Congregation in Jupiter, French Polynesia and North
Carolina's Outer Banks. If you missed this one, you missed
something awsome!
Bowling Night
Several JDD members celebrated St. Patrick's Day 2007
bowling at Jupiter Lanes.
Key Largo Club Dive
On March 10, 2007, eleven members enjoyed a spectacular day of diving in Key Largo. Sites included the Duane and the Spiegle Grove. The weather and water gods were kind. The afternoon was topped off with an excellent dinner at Ballyhoo in Key Largo. [photos]
March 2007 Meeting
On March 6, 2007, Melissa Sparks from MOTE Marine Lab shared the projects and visions of the lab's Florida efforts to repopulate the coral reefs and Spiny Urchins along Florida's coasts. Stay tuned for an announcement about an upcoming field trip to
MOTE in the fall.