Logged SCUBA Dive #338

Veteran’s Park, Redondo Beach, CA

Solo Diving

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 500 psi
Max depth: 111 feet
Waves: Breaking on shore, but pretty flat once out
Visibility: 5 to 8 feet
Temperature: 56 degrees, colder at depth
Total Bottom Time: About 35 minutes

Having not been in the water since the end of lobster season, I needed to test my diving skills to avoid a refresher course.

I met my friend Nick; I though he was going to dive with me, but he just came to collect money and drink beer.

Reports from returning divers didn’t get my hopes up that conditions were spectacular, but I did hear the key words – “It’s diveable.”

I made an easy entry into the water

A lot of diving students were at Vets Park.

I submerged in 18 feet of water and hit the bottom before I saw it.

I headed West to go over the shelf and look for better visibility.

A crab smiles for the camera.

A second crab muscles in on the shot.

Vis I would have to admit, really sucked.

Actually, to put it in divers’ technical jargon, visibility really sucked ass.

I headed down to 111 feet and got a little narced; and what do narced divers do at 111 feet when they’re solo diving in bad visibility?

I started practicing my singing – singing through my regulator.

After all, who was I going to annoy?

I hummed the theme song to Gone With The Wind, Hawaii Five-0, and sang my rendition of El Rey and I Walk The Line; I really have no idea why I chose those titles.

I made my way back to the edge of the shelf and slowly ascended the canyon wall.

I was heading back in, slowly swimming, accomplishing my safety stop at the same time when I came across something that scared the shit out of me.

What is it?

I couldn’t recognize what it was…

… it’s just sea junk!

I surfaced in 10 feet of water just steps away from where I went in.

Debriefing took place in the parking lot with Nick and the Saturday morning Divevets crowd.

Logged SCUBA Dive #334

Terranea Resort (aka Old Marineland, Long Point), CA

Dove with Angelshark and Not So New Chris

In With: 2900 psi
Out With: 400 psi
Max depth: 52 feet
Waves: Pretty flat with minor swells at the shoreline
Visibility: 8 to 15 feet
Temperature: 59 degrees
Total Bottom Time: About 52 minutes

With losing an hour because of Daylight Savings Time, initial turnout was thin.

Looking at the calm conditions, it was a no-brainer “let’s go dive”… after we sit here and watch the dolphins and whales go by.

Angelshark got stood up by her buddy, so she decided to tag along with us; seven divers made an uneventful boulder entrance off the Point…

Angelshark remarked, “Nobody got hurt today on the entrance.”

“I guess we’re a lot better than we thought,” I replied.

We descended and followed Reverend Al to the Newburn wreck area; I asked him to point out the two masts that are left of the ship, if we came across them.

Chris and I split off from the group; Angelshark tagged along with us after she lost Reverend Al.

Today’s nudibranch picture!

Conditions were a little too green to get some really good pictures.

Angelshark has a good eye for spotting sea life, especially lobsters!

We came across a reef at 25 feet on the way to the Cove, that was full of bugs!

Unfortunately, all the bugs were too far back to dig out; once I tried grabbing for the bugs at one end, they would move to the other… back and forth.

It was very frustrating and we eventually gave up on the futile effort.

A small arch off the Point – this is not the arch at 120 reef.

We came across an empty, but freshly baited commercial lobster trap.

A Sunstar lounges amongst some sea urchins.

Not so new Chris takes up the rear.

We made an uneventful and easy exit at the cove.

We were missing one diver who separated and exited the Point; his buddy was concerned until walking up and finding him at his car.

While we started to debrief, other divers showed up.

Today’s menu was Italian sausage, shrimp fajitas and an assortment of beer.

Professional debriefers Brother Paul and Flagger Matt showed up for the festivities.

Matt was inquiring about SCUBA certification for a Mexico cruise he is going to be taking with his wife.

We told him what was involved and how much it would cost, but the idea is only talk at this point.

The cars were parked pretty tight, and as someone was leaving, his car backed into a tool cart that started to roll down the hill ready to crash into our debriefing area.

Cyber the Attack Dog, sensing the imminent danger, ran in front of the runaway cart and threw himself under the front wheel…

The cart skidded to a halt!

And I though Lassie and Rin Tin Tin were bitchin’ dogs!

Debriefing lasted in to the afternoon.

Next week, I’m planning a trip up to the Kern River, so I won’t be able to make it next Sunday.

Hopefully, I can catch a few lobsters between now and the few days until the end of lobster season.