Long Point, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
(aka The Old Marineland)

Solo Diving

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 600 psi
Max depth: 65 feet
Waves: 1-2 feet, calm
Visibility: 10-15 feet. Maybe 20 in some places
Water Temperature: Cool, I got cold at times; I’m going to guess 55 degrees Fahrenheit
Total Bottom Time: 50 minutes

I was suppose to help with an Open Water class with Instructor John, but there was a bike race at Redondo Beach and the lot at Vet’s was blocked.

John canceled class the night before.

So, it was off to the Old Marineland for me.

The Divevets were there with some Pacific Wilderness groupies and Sandeaters.

I’m guessing some 30 plus divers were there.

The water was calm; I went off the Point and made a really easy entry.

I went to the right a ways after submerging.

I saw a lobster and grabbed for it.

I missed, but I don’t have a fishing license for this year yet anyways; I would not have been able to keep it.

The vis was pretty good, about 10-15 feet; 20 feet in some places.

There seemed to be a slight current heading North toward the cove.

I sort of drifted that way.

I thought I was close to the Point when I surfaced to get my bearings.

I traveled quite a ways – mostly because I kept kicking to stay warm.

I exited with no problem.

It was so calm, I accidentally swam up to the rocks where it was too shallow to remove my fins.

I crawled up on “friendship rock” and took them off.

The Divevets had a huge beer and barbecue party!

Al (of Dennis, Fred and Al), whom this group calls “Reverend Al” invited me over for a beer and a hotdog.

There were a lot of people partaking in the barbecue and beer festival – not only SCUBA divers, but fishermen and sight seers.

I actually socialized with people that I didn’t know!

I’ll definitely be coming back for the next one, I hope!

I posted a “thank you” to the Divevets’ message board for their hospitality.

Casino Point, Catalina, CA

Dove with Instructor John and his ex-private OW student (see dives #126 and < a href="http://psychosolodiver.com/index.php?p=423"> #127 ).

In With: 3100 psi
Out With: 1800 psi
Max depth: 65 feet
Waves: Insignificant
Visibility: 20 feet plus
Water Temperature: 57 degrees Fahrenheit, but seemed colder
Total Bottom Time: About 30 minutes

The mother and daughter finished the class on the last dive and opted out of this one.

John wouldn’t let General Custer dive this one because of his nasal and ear problems going down.

Dr. Smith sat this one out.

So, John’s ex-private OW student and I spent about 30 minutes following John around the underwater park.

We made it down to another wreck – a small boat on its side, then to another barge – or maybe it was THE barge?

Well, one is a barge; the other one was a glass bottom boat.

We ran across a plaque that pointing out a “Replica of a Spanish Galleon Wreck.”

But there was no wreck?

We made it to shore and up the stairs with no problem.

While dressing, I noticed I received a page from my job that one of my servers had gone down.

I called them back and was told that the Halon had dropped and everything was down.

One of the Computer Operators told me, “You need to come to work right now.”

“Uh, I’m on Catalina right now,” I said.

We took an early boat back; the fact that I had to go to work made me pass up on all the drinks that Dr. Smith was offering to buy.

Drat!