Veteran’s Park, Redondo Beach, CA

Dove with Instructor John, his Open Water student Lurch and two of his Advanced Students*

In With: 2500 psi
Out With: 800 psi
Max depth: 45 feet
Waves: 1 to 3 feet, surf advisory
Visibility: 1-6 feet
Water Temperature: Cold
Total Bottom Time: 35 minutes
*Student names have been changed.

I’ve been helping John with his classroom and pool for my “Training Assistant” specialty.

We told Lurch that “we have another Pedro in class, his name is Cheech.”

Lurch told us, “Good luck.”

We were in the water fairly quickly.

This was a checkout dive for all students and was suppose to be a “take the mask off and swim for two minutes” exercise for the Advanced students.

After the checkout part of the dive, they did a navigation run – North, East, South, West and back to us.

They missed us by a few yards, but that was due to the current, I think.

Lurch pointed out to me that he was at 800 psi; we turned back and went in.

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

Solo Diving/Spear Fishing

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 500 psi
Max depth: 45 feet
Waves: 1 to 2 feet, calm
Visibility: 10-15 feet
Water Temperature: It was cold at times
Total Bottom Time: 50 minutes

I got to Long Point about 10 AM; vis reports from other divers was 10-15 feet.

I went off The Point; it was pretty calm and an easy entry.

I headed East a little ways and hunted fish.

After about 25 minutes I found a dozen or so female sheephead.

I was wondering if some were legal.

Those fish are so stupid; I was waiting for “the big one” and didn’t bother spearing any of the smaller fish.

There was a strong current going toward Redondo Beach.

I tried to swim to the Cove to exit, but was getting too tired and not making very much progress.

I decided to float back to the Point where I exited without incident.

No fish, but oh well!

At least I look macho carrying my spear gun.