They’ll Be Taking the Plunge for Beach Cleanup

Bullets, bicycles, pagers, lobster cages, money, cellular phones, toys, clothing and cameras.

These are just some of the items that have been found--along with plenty of bottles, cans and other trash--during annual beach cleanups coordinated by the Orange County club DIVERS.

As the acronym implies, these folks do their scavenging on the wet side of the waterline.

DIVERS is an environmentally oriented diving club that not only organizes special cleanup events but also makes it a point to tidy up after others on its monthly beach and boat dives.

“Any time we do any kind of dive, we pick up trash,” said club president Kim Woods. “We tell people, ‘If you see it, pick it up.’ ”

It becomes a game of sorts on the group’s big annual cleanup, for which it recruits non-members. A scavenger hunt awards points for different types of trash; prizes are also awarded for most trash salvaged, most unusual item and most environmentally damaging item.

The group’s sixth annual underwater/beach cleanup arrives Saturday at Big Corona (known formally as Corona del Mar State Beach) in Corona del Mar.

The beach is a popular spot for beginning dive classes, in addition to offering some challenge for more experienced divers with its jetty and offshore rocks and reefs.

There is a cost for divers to participate, but it includes a “goody bag” filled with dive-related items and an event T-shirt. Registration is $10; it jumps to $15 on the day of the event, but Woods said anyone who calls before Saturday will get in for the lower fee.

If volunteers want to help scour just the beach area, they can take part for free (unless they want the goody bag and T-shirt). The club has also arranged for free parking for volunteers.

Last year’s event drew 50 divers, and Woods said he hopes to double that turnout this year. Registration is from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.. After an orientation at 8:30 a.m., the cleanup begins at 9 a.m. A free lunch is offered at 11 a.m., and prizes will be awarded at noon.

A raffle for donated prizes starts at 12:30 p.m.

* What: Underwater/beach cleanup.

* When: Saturday, 7:30 a.m.

* Where: Corona del Mar State Beach.

* Whereabouts: From East Coast Highway in Corona del Mar, turn south on Marguerite Avenue until it ends. Turn right on Ocean Boulevard, then left on Breakers Drive and follow it around to beach parking.

* Wherewithal: $10 before Saturday, $15 on the day of the event. Includes T-shirt and other items. Beach volunteers free.

* Where to call: (714) 722-9406.