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

Solo Diving

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 600 psi
Max depth: 65 feet
Waves: 1-2 feet, calm
Visibility: 10-15 feet. Maybe 20 in some places
Water Temperature: Cool, I got cold at times; I’m going to guess 55 degrees Fahrenheit
Total Bottom Time: 50 minutes

I was suppose to help with an Open Water class with Instructor John, but there was a bike race at Redondo Beach and the lot at Vet’s was blocked.

John canceled class the night before.

So, it was off to the Old Marineland for me.

The Divevets were there with some Pacific Wilderness groupies and Sandeaters.

I’m guessing some 30 plus divers were there.

The water was calm; I went off the Point and made a really easy entry.

I went to the right a ways after submerging.

I saw a lobster and grabbed for it.

I missed, but I don’t have a fishing license for this year yet anyways; I would not have been able to keep it.

The vis was pretty good, about 10-15 feet; 20 feet in some places.

There seemed to be a slight current heading North toward the cove.

I sort of drifted that way.

I thought I was close to the Point when I surfaced to get my bearings.

I traveled quite a ways – mostly because I kept kicking to stay warm.

I exited with no problem.

It was so calm, I accidentally swam up to the rocks where it was too shallow to remove my fins.

I crawled up on “friendship rock” and took them off.

The Divevets had a huge beer and barbecue party!

Al (of Dennis, Fred and Al), whom this group calls “Reverend Al” invited me over for a beer and a hotdog.

There were a lot of people partaking in the barbecue and beer festival – not only SCUBA divers, but fishermen and sight seers.

I actually socialized with people that I didn’t know!

I’ll definitely be coming back for the next one, I hope!

I posted a “thank you” to the Divevets’ message board for their hospitality.

Veteran’s Park, Redondo Beach, CA

Solo Diving

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 900 psi
Max depth: 90 feet
Waves: 4-5 feet
Visibility: 5-8 feet
Water Temperature: 50 degrees Fahrenheit, cold
Total Bottom Time: 35 minutes

I just got back from a trip to Iowa.

There’s diving in Iowa, believe it or not – I’ll have to go back and dive one day.

I learned about a sewage spill from Nick and on divevets.com.

The beaches are now open, but the surf is still up slightly.

I’ve called off several dives since I last got in to the water.

Four to five foot waves were breaking off shore, the air was pretty damn cold, too.

I entered the water around 7:20 AM; the water temperature was 50 degrees Fahrenheit according to a diver with a thermometer.

I submerged in 20 feet of water and went down the shelf to 90 feet.

I did not come across the cinder blocks and SCUBA tank from my last dive.

This was sort of a cold and boring dive actually.

I went in after just 35 minutes – I was too cold and I was getting lonely.

I got pounded by a few waves coming ashore; there’s a steep sand step that I tripped over.

It was hard for me to get up, so I started crawling – someone ran over to help – an instructor maybe?

I thanked him, but I thought my physical condition has declined somewhat.

I met Bob from the Divevets; we’ve seen each other around the diving scene.