The morning after….

23. July 2011 by KVaughn.

None of the “Magic” is possible without the heart and soul of the many dedicated volunteers who founded and run S.T.A.R.S. International.  Every volunteer unselfishly gives up extensive personal time and comfort to put themselves out there to improve the futures of our youth.  Even with the potential risks to their personal safety ever present, this family of volunteers grows deeps bonds with each youth, sometimes equaling parents/guardians.  I want to personally thank all of the 2011 Kenosha S.T.A.R.S. volunteers and all founding members who have molded the program into what it is today and tomorrow.  A “Special Thanks” to Mark (a master instructor and juggler) for his faithful promotion, mentoring, and perseverance with our participants during our scuba training in his second year serving the program. I can only hope that the water finally drains from my ears before our next weekend of training!

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Congratulations to all and to all a good dive!

22. July 2011 by MarkN.

‘Twas the day after Scuba training dives when all through the Lake

not a fish was stirring because of the silt

the fins were all churning through the water with care

in hopes that diving certifications soon would be there

the students were all zipped up in their 7 mill suits

while visions of triangular compass runs danced in their head

And Kevin in his hood and I with no cap

Had just prepared for a long day of compass patterns

when out on the water there arose such a splasher

I sprang to the water to see what was the matter

into my wetsuit I zipped in a flash

ran down to the water and threw up my lunch

when what to my wondering eyes should appear

but a miniature diver propulsion vehicle and eight tiny sea creatures

with a little old diver so lively and quick

I knew in a moment it must be St. Neptune

more rapid than spotted eagle rays his coursers they came

using Sea Signs he called them by name

Now Lobster, Now ray, now crab and shrimp

On Eel! On Turtle! On Fish and Shark!

to the top of the reef to the top of the deep wall dive

Swim away! swim away! swim away all!

as silt on the bottom that before the wild diver’s fin flies

when they meet with a coral head swim over and around

pulling the descent line down to the lake bottom the coursers they sunk

with a DPV full of scuba toys and St. Neptune too

And then on the bottom I heard a diver humming

the pulling and pawing of the descent line

As I drew the line back up and was turning around

down to the bottom St. Neptune came with a bound

He was dressed all in neoprene from his hood to his boots

and his exposure suit was all tarnished with algae and silt

a bundle of dive gear he slung on his back

and he looked like an independent dive shop retailer opening his pack

Behind his mask his eyes twinkled and his dimples how merry

his cheeks were like a puffer fish,  his nose like a flounder

His droll little mouth was drawn up in an exhale

and the beard of his chin was a white as a beluga

the stump of his regulator he held tight in his teeth

and his exhaust bubbles encircled his head in a bubble ring

he had good buoyancy because of his round belly

and he shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly-fish

he had good air consumption a right jolly old salt

and I puked through my regulator when I saw him in spite of myself

A purge of his regulator and a clear of his nose

soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread

He Sea Signed not a word but went straight to his skills

With dive gear he filled all the newly certified divers stockings and turned with a fin kick

holding his power inflator up above his head

kicking off the bottom to the surface he rose

he sprang to his diver propulsion vehicle and to his team gave a whistle

and away they all swam like a hungry shark for his dinner

but I saw him use Sea Signs ere he swam out of my visibility range

Happy Diving to all and to all a SAFE ascent!

Mark Niewoehner

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Day #4 Searching for new possibilities

21. July 2011 by KVaughn.

The kids gave it their all to achieve their second advanced certification yesterday (PADI Underwater Navigation Specialty) and eagerly dove in today to begin their PADI Search & Recovery Specialty.

Both individual and team perseverance is blatantly obvious as the group is completing 5 hours of diving daily this week in the near 100 degree heat.  This does not include the 3 hours of commuting and several hours of reading preparation for the next day of diving.  At the lake the verbal feedback from the kids has spoken reams about the personal transition that each participant is undergoing this week.  Each youth is growing outside of their comfort zone and personal energy limitations.

Special thanks to all of the S.T.A.R.S. staff who have given their valuable personal time to ensure the success of this week’s event.  Friday we search again for the light at the end of the tunnel and reach a week of not less than 20 dives.  The photos on the website (posted daily) tell only a small piece of the story of S.T.A.R.S. creating tomorrow’s “Guardians of the Sea”.

Thanks for reading…. we miss all who could not attend!

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What happens after Open Water?

20. July 2011 by MarkN.

We moved to the North side of Pearl Lake today, after silting (and puking see yesterday’s comments) up the east side it might

be better to give that side a day or so to settle out and detox.

Kevin and I made the students drill and drill the Navigation patterns until, . . . well, . . .

until they finally got it right.

There was some frustration, the heat, the sun and the silt were unrelenting.

Zero viz navigation isn’t easy.  But the STARS Students toughed it out, almost like it was a black op.

Four dives and many, many, many, many (did I say many?) ups and downs later, they were all done.

No rest for the weary.

Wait until you see what we’ve got in store for you tomorrow!

Search and Recovery, stay tuned!

Mark Niewoehner

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Open Water Certification Achieved

19. July 2011 by KVaughn.

Another sun-filled scorching day greeted the S.T.A.R.S. International divers at Pearl Lake!  Students flawlessly completed their final Open Water dive and the associated skills under the watchful eyes Divemaster Ana and Instructors Mark & Kev.  Divers reviewed the academics for both their Wreck diving and Peak Performance adventure dives before immersing into the refreshing lake.

The highlight of the day was preparation for the Navigation Specialty certification dives planned for Wednesday.  As a collateral achievement participants completed the second of three required dives for a new S.T.A.R.S. distinctive specialty dubbed “Puke Penetration”.  This unique certification is designed to provide divers with buoyancy and navigation confidence as they circumvent low visibility puke clouds left from fellow divers.  Good luck in advance to Puke Diver #3.

Could things get better… we are encouraged by the return and early success of four former graduates (Jessie, Claudet, Jorge, and Rango (aka Sebastian) who have returned with new personal goals for S.T.A.R.S.  We are missing many of our established S.T.A.R.S. staff who have typically brought a “Smile” to this annual week of operations.  Stay tuned for ANY THING to come!!!

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Open Water Day One Complete

18. July 2011 by MarkN.

After a little concern early this morning over the weather,  we decided to chance it in spite of rain chances.  And it was a sound decision.  There was a minor rain shower before our first dive to keep things cool but after that the weather cooperated very nicely.

Today was the first opportunity at Open Water for these students and they did very well.  Everything went off on time and like clockwork.  Everyone adjusted to 12 foot of underwater visibility and accomplished skills like they had done it before.

We set up on the East side of the Lake and saw all the underwater attractions on that side.

Two dives were completed on time before lunch with tanks being filled while we ate.

And the two after lunch went just as well as the morning dives.

Day 1 Complete!  Congrats to ALL!

Mark Niewoehner

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