Long Point, CA
8:30 AM
(aka The Old Marineland)

Solo Diving

I got there around 8:30 AM; the gates leading to the parking lot were locked.

The divers who I met on October 18th of this year were there. They introduced themselves as Dennis, Fred and Al. My friend Nick was also there; he wanted to watch me dive.

Anyway, someone came and unlocked the gates about 8:50 AM.

The gates leading to the coast was locked. Luckily, I know the combination — 1948.

The waves looked rough but manageable.

I quickly got ready and walked down to the shore, Nick was in tow with his camera.

Perfect entry.

There was a boat nearby, close to the rocks near the entrance to the cave.

The visibility was 15 feet and soupy.

The water was fairly cool.

It was a typical Long point dive through the kelp beds.

I believe I saw an octopus, or at least an octopus’ eyeball sticking out of a hole on the bottom.

I came back up twice (surfaced) to get a bearing on where I was.

My final surfacing was close to where I had originally submerged.

The waves were rather easy getting out.

I rode two waves in, washing up on the rocks.

Nick said that I “timed that perfectly.”

I washed the ocean water out of my mouth with a cool beer.

Nick said some “gay divers” came down while I was in the water.

“How do you know they’re gay?” I asked.

“Because they hit on me while you were gone,” Nick said.

Nick is thinking about taking up diving. He put my jacket and tank on and held my weight belt.

He said, “Dude, how do you even get up?”

I replied, “You just have to be as macho as I am.”

In with 3100 psi
Out with 500 psi
Max depth 40 feet
Waves 3-4 feet
Water temperature: cool almost cold

Long Point, CA
(aka The Old Marineland)

Solo Diving

It’s suppose to rain tomorrow, so I dove today.

If it doesn’t rain tomorrow, I’ll dive tomorrow.

I got to Long Point about 8:30 AM.

Two other would-be divers were asking me what the big boat with the containment buoys were doing.

I found out later that they were containing fuel and oil from a fishing boat that sank — this was after I came back out.

Waves in and out were about three and a half feet.

It was two hours from high tide.

I went in with 3200 psi, left with 500 psi.

I took my camera hoping that it was going to be as clear as November 23rd — 30 feet visibility.

Visibility was only 15 feet or so.

Oh well, I tried 200 speed film instead of 400.

The pictures came out much better.

But hey, a $40 camera is just that… a $40 camera!

I’m at 40 feet now.

The water was cold; about 45-50 degrees F; I got used to it once submerged.

A retarded looking diver; Okay, that’s a self portrait!

I got tangled on kelp a few times but was able to pull myself free.

Easy going back in, I mean coming back to shore.

I met a few diving researchers that say they regularly monitor the temperature of the water off of Long Point.

In with: 3200 psi
Out with: 500 psi
Max depth: 45 feet
Waves: 3 and a half feet
Water temperature: 45 degrees (I think) cold