Season Opener Success: Great Conditions, Great Company
2026 Season Kickoff at Blue Heron Bridge 4/18/26
Our annual season opener dive, BBQ, and raffle exceeded all expectations, with a fantastic turnout of 44 divers and non-divers. Conditions were excellent, with 15–20 feet of visibility, 77°F water, no current, and a max depth of about 18 feet.
A big welcome to our newest Active Divers taking their first dip with the club: Bill & Shelbie Jordan, Nathalie Fuson, Jacqui Davis, Carl Manzelli, Carlos Shaw, Mahmood Shivji, Jazz Morgan, Pamela Schatten and Adam Mariano.
The combination of great diving conditions and even better company made for a memorable kickoff to the 2026 season. Marine life did not disappoint—some groups were lucky enough to spot eagle rays gliding through, while others explored the beautiful muck, where multiple octopus were found cleverly hiding under bottles and tires. We also saw arrow crabs, juvenile drumfish dancing and prancing about, coral crabs, large and small hermit crabs marching along, a large school of rainbow parrotfish, juvenile French angelfish, queen angelfish, a few lobsters, and much more.
A special thanks to the Safety Officers Hilda, Anand, Amber, and Rudy for working hard to keep everyone safe and for their contributions to the overall success of the event. Thank you to President Rachel Davis for organizing everything, Aaron Brooks and his wife Sarah, Dan Beery and Angelica Cookson for cooking the BBQ, Amber for organizing and running the raffle, even with its minor hiccups, and John Davis for helping nearly sell out the new shark rashguard shirts. And of course, thank you to everyone who came out—this club exists for its members and because of them, and we truly appreciate all of you and hope to see you throughout the 2026 season!
Safety Officers Rudy , Hilda, Anand, and Amber BBQ Crew: Angelica, Aaron, and Sarah
Photos by Rudy Lopez
Photos by Jean Gruss
Photos by Hilda Balbi