The Underwater Park
Casino Point
Avalon, Catalina Island, CA

I refilled my tank for a second dive.

Nick came out; I asked how he liked it.

 “Awesome,” was his response.

Nick’s instructor, Mike, suggested that Nick and I pair up for the next dive since the other student has problems equalizing.

I had 3300 psi, Nick had 2500 psi.

We entered the water at about 12:45 PM.

We went toward the North side, but is was surprisingly dead.

Nick preferred to follow me.

We went South, toward where Ed and I originally went.

The visibility was getting a little silty — the waves were picking up.

Nick was following right behind me but about 10 feet above.

I was told by Ed not to go deeper than 60 feet.

I reached 60, looked back and signaled to Nick to come down.

We traded consoles; both said 60 feet.

We started back up and I wrote on my slate to surface at 500 psi.

We climbed back up to 25 feet and surfaced fairly close to the stairs.

For Nick’s second dive ever, he did fantastic! I congratulated him.

Nick had 500 psi left.

In with: 3300 psi
Out with: 1200 psi
Max depth: 60 feet
Visibility: 45 feet
Waves: 2 feet
Temperature: Cool

Group shot: The father is in front, his kid to the left, Instructor Mike, Nick and myself.

Me and Ed.

The Underwater Park
Casino Point
Avalon, Catalina Island, CA

Dove (most of the time) With Ed

I was invited to come diving in Catalina by Nick’s instructor.

We took the Catalina Express out at 9:15 AM.

The Casino Point Dive Park entrance.

We got in the water about 11:30 AM.

Initially it was Ed and I.

The rest of them — Instructor Mike, Nick and a 12 year old and his father — went snorkeling at first.

From the top, the underwater park looks very small, but the edge, marked by buoys goes down to 100 feet.

Ed and I went down to 40 feet ininitially.

The visibility was excellent — 50 feet or more.

Kelp, big fish were everywhere.

This is a game preserve so no hunting!

I saw a 20 pound sheephead that was making me hungry.

We continued to go down to 75 feet and accidentally went past the boundary of the park.

Ed surfaced; me right behind him.

Ed complained that he couldn’t equalize at depth.

I got a little dizzy coming up, but I stopped and regained my equilibrium.

We swam back to the stairs; Ed went on shore.

I tried looking for Nick since I had my camera.

I had 1000 psi left and couldn’t find him; I decided to go back in.

While on my way in, Nick was coming out with his instructor.

I waited until he was in the water.

He submerged and I followed, taking the first pictures of him SCUBA diving for the first time.

I had a hard time sinking and followed one of the buoy lines down.

At 500 psi I went back to shore.

I with: 3100 psi
Out With: 500 psi
Max depth: 75 feet
Visibility: 50 + feet
Waves: 1 foot
Temperature: Cool