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

Dove With Reverend Al, SCJoe and John

In With: 2900 psi
Out With: 1200 psi
Max depth: About 30 feet
Waves: Regular small swells, sort of mildly rough
Visibility: 0-5 feet
Water Temperature: 54 degrees
Total Bottom Time: About 25 minutes

To dive or not to dive?

That was the question.

Reverend Al, the crew and me sat for 25 minutes on the cliff looking at the swells, the surf and the overcast conditions.

We were going to call it, until two chicks and Max Bottom Time said they were going to go for it.

Yes, if everyone jumped off a bridge, I probably would, too.

One of the chicks, “Angelshark” was spear fishing.

She asked, “Which way are you going?”

“120 reef.”

“Okay, we’re going the other way.”

I followed Reverend Al, SCJoe and John off the Cove.

I think I might be a little overweighted with my really old wetsuit; I sank like a brick until I inflated my BC.

The group descended off the point at Pigeon Shit Cave and followed Reverend Al to 120 reef.

Visibility sucked!

I followed fins, kept an eye on other divers and briefly scoped out the shadows of the reef…

…five feet at best.

Previous to descending, I told Reverend Al, “If I wave you off, I’m telling you ‘bye,’ so don’t worry about me.”

Just as I was going to head in, Al turned towards the cove… we were heading in.

In 15 feet of water, vis turned to zero; I ascended and surface swam in.

Everyone else was on the surface within two more minutes.

I came ashore over the “easy” way out (so it was explained to me!) – no big rocks to lean on, but fairly flat, compared to other parts of the beach.

The beach has changed so much here, I constantly have to rethink my exit strategy.

Nick and his newly certified girlfriend Jill were on shore watching our exits.

Jill was apparently taking pictures of my exit – probably for her future reference of what a macho rock beach exit looks like.

Now for the debriefing!

We had an assortment of beer, Korean ribs, rice, kim chi and pork something.

This is probably why we didn’t call the dive earlier; we needed to “earn” our beer and barbecue.

New diver Jill consults Ed over his 20 plus years of diving experience.

I warned her, “If you start diving here, we’ll corrupt you.”

“I’m already corrupted,” she said.

Nick and Jill then started to complain that this blog “is gay.”

Spear fisherwoman Angelshark poses with her gun at the back of the Duster.

Everyone loved the food and beer; it was a nice change from the standard hot dogs that everyone else brings.

The whole party wrapped up a little after noon.

Crappy diving conditions, but another perfect day!