Friday the 13th

Veteran’s Park
Redondo Beach, CA

Solo Diving

In with: 2900 psi
Out with: 500 psi
Max depth: 80 feet
Waves: 3-5 feet
Visibility: 8 feet above the shelf/ 15 feet below the shelf
Water temperature: Warm at 40/cold at 80
Total Bottom Time: 30-35 minutes

I took today off to have my car worked on – unfortunately my mechanic said that he didn’t have time to repair my differential leak.

He said, “You have time.”

I got down to Veteran’s Park about 9:00 AM.

The parking lot was pretty empty except for an instructor and his two students and one friend.

I suited up and entered the water around 9:30 AM.

The waves were a little rough, but I walked out and then put my fins on – that’s the best way.

I went over the shelf where the visibility was 15 feet and pretty clear.

Above the shelf, it was eight feet, probably due to the waves.

At 50 feet, it started getting cold; at 80 feet it was really cold – 50-55 degrees I guess.

At 80 feet I turned around and went to 60 feet and went North.

There seems to be more vegetation along the shelf than before.

There were thousands of small fish – more fish than I had ever seen and a small shark.

It looked small, so it was probably really tiny.

There’s definitely more life down there – it’s usually a pretty dead environment.

I don’t know the name of the small fish; they’re definitely too small to eat.

I thought I saw a jellyfish, but it ended up being a trash bag.

I went back in almost on target.

The waves were four to five feet – a little rough.

I took my fins off and walked ashore with no problems.

The instructor and his students were just getting geared up.

One of the hot chick students asked me how the conditions were.

Veteran’s Park
Redondo Beach, CA

Solo Diving

In with: 2800 psi
Out with: 800 psi
Maximum depth: 87 feet
Waves: 1-2 feet, negligible
Visibility: 20 feet/crystal clear
Water Temperature: warm, but cold at 87 feet
Total Bottom Time: 35 minutes

It’s Friday and I’m taking vacation.

I did a solo dive off of Veteran’s Park around 11:15 AM.

It was a hot day and a lot of people were at the beach.

The waves were so calm and the visibility was great.

Maybe 20 feet, but it was crystal clear.

Two other divers were around.

Some small kids asked about what was under the water.

“Trash and small fish,” was my answer.

I went down the shelf and followed it to 87 feet.

I turned around, and was still at 87 feet.

Something was wrong I thought.

I ascended about 10 feet and the needle on my gauge dropped to 75 feet instantly.

I guess it was stuck.

I was a bit lonely down there.

What if I saw a shark?

Oh well, mind control is the key.

Easy Out, no problems.

There’s a lot more to see there when it’s clear.