Casino Point, Catalina, CA

Solo Diving

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 500 psi
Max depth: 85 feet
Waves: Mild swells, easy entry and exit off the stairs
Visibility: 15-20 feet, silty
Water Temperature: Cool, maybe 55
Total Bottom Time: 45 minutes

I went to Casino Point to help Dive Master the Gold Star charity event.

I brought everything with me except a tank, which I rented at the scene for $14.

After being really patient waiting my turn to enter off the steps, an Instructor (probably from Sports Chalet) started lecturing the line on how to enter from the stairs.

I ducked under the railing and went out the exit side – nobody was coming in.

I had brought my free diving weight belt because it is easy to carry; it weighs six pounds less.

It was harder getting down than with my heavier belt; I actually grabbed and carried a small rock for added weight in the shallows during this dive.

For Casino Point, vis sucked.

I’ve seen it at 50 feet before, but my last dive at Long Point was better visibility wise.

The elusive Gold Stars are already in place.

It is understood among divers that no pre-event collecting will be done.

Not to be out done by Long Point and Vet’s Park, Casino Point has cinder blocks, too.

Most of my pictures ended up sucking because of the conditions.

I headed East once I was at 70 feet and visited the Sujac.

The Sujac is so well encrusted with sea life and corrosion that I almost swam right past it, until I spotted the hole in the hull.

I went to 85 feet for a short period of time, just so I could count this as a deep dive; I had problems navigating because of a slight case of Nitrogen Narcosis.

Back up the reef, I hung out at 30 feet for a bit to out gas.

A Sheephead smiles for the camera.

There were a lot of divers in the water, but I only ran across a few on my way back…

…when I surfaced, I was on the East side of the park, away from where most of the students go.

I did an easy surface swim back.

Veterans Park, Redondo Beach, CA

Solo Diving

In With: 3100 psi
Out With: 500 psi
Max depth: 105 feet
Waves: Flat as a lake, almost
Visibility: 15 feet and crystal clear until 85 feet, then a little murky.
Water Temperature: Cool, maybe 55
Total Bottom Time: 35 minutes

Having had to work really early in the morning at my real job, I arrived at Vets Park a little before 7 AM.

There were no waves and reports of great visibility, so I quickly geared up and entered the water.

Dolphins were seen swimming North, so I descended in 15 feet of water and swam East,  hoping to spot a few.

The edge of the canyon; it goes from 35 to 85 feet really quick.

I went to 60 feet and headed South towards the “monument” or “blocks.”

A man eating crab.

There seemed to be less trash to look at on this dive.

After not finding the monument, I decided that I should go deep; after all, I need to find a purpose for this dive so I could feel some sort of accomplishment.

So I headed West — I was feeling REALLY good.

The Nitrogen Narcosis was getting me really buzzed, my brain pictured Tommy Chong singing a concert of “So Fine.”

This is what I look like when I’m narced at 105 feet.

I turned around and became a little concerned when I kept kicking East and not getting any shallower.

I thought, “I’m suppose to go East right? Maybe it is West?”

Yep, I was narced.

I’ve made that mistake so many times, but I forgot how far 105 feet is from the 85 foot slope off the canyon.

I made it to shallower and warmer water at the top of the canyon.

I ran in to THE cement bucket; I was so excited!

I did a slow swim towards shore, combining my safety stop with the swim in.

I made an uneventful exit as the water was really flat, but still managed to trip over the sand step that’s in one foot of water.

This morning was ideal conditions for dive classes.

After a Chelada and some conversation with other divers, I headed towards home.