I made it down to Long Point at about 8:30 AM; the initial report from the divers who were there was “conditions look green.”

I snuck to The Point to see if conditions there were any better than the Cove.

Foam covered the water, the Point was rough.

I told Reverend Al and his group that if they were going to go off the Point, I was going to bring my camera.

They opted for the Cove; I chose to stay dry and start debriefing early.

I walked down with my mini-cooler and sat on the rocks, drinking Cheladas, beer and watching the ocean.

The day was gloomy, the water had a few rough spots, but Al and his group made an uneventful entrance into the water.

Kayakers also launched from the cove.

Two spear fishermen from Lancaster drove all the way here to do some hunting; they were determined to dive no matter what.

They asked, “Which way did the other divers go?”

“Towards 120 reef,” I said.

“OK, we’ll go the other way.”

I guess they shoot at anything that’s big and moves?

They made a safe rock entrance…

…and swam out a ways, almost getting run over by a boat…

A B-17 flew overhead searching for Al Qaeda submarines off our coast.

Since most of our newer planes are overseas liberating other countries and keeping the world safe for democracy, the government needs to dust off the older planes for domestic use.

Al and his group made it back in with reports of six to eight feet visibility with a lot of silt; I’m glad I stayed dry today.

Here’s a better view of the foam on the water.

The foam apparently is some sort of microorganism that tends to ruin the visibility.

Nice and relaxed from my seaside meditation, I attended the diver debriefing in the parking lot.

By the way, do you know how to pronounce “Terranea” as in the Terranea Resort?

I always thought it was Terr-AYE-nee-ah.

Apparently, it is Terra-NAY-ah.

One of our topics of conversation was how crappy the conditions have been lately; even the East side of Catalina has been reporting 20-foot visibility when 50 is common.

The Kayakers made a safe return, followed by the spear fisherman who had empty hooks.

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

Solo Diving

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 800 psi
Max depth: About 45 feet
Waves: Small swells, almost as flat as a lake
Visibility: 8 to 10 feet, but with a lot of silt
Water Temperature: 54 degrees at depth, warmer on the surface
Total Bottom Time: About 45 minutes

Reverend Al had to go find the guard to have him unlock the parking lot; apparently, the
guard did not know that was one of his duties.

So, running 30 minutes behind schedule, I geared up and took the torturous walk down to
the rocky beach.

It was really low tide, and I almost slipped a few times on the exposed slimy rocks.

The air temperature must have been 90 degrees – I was sweating profusely from the walk
down and entering the cool 54 degree water felt really good.

The Terranea Resort is in back of me; it’s getting larger by the week.

I submerged and followed my compus heading to 120 reef…

There was a lot of silt in the water, but everyone who dives here knows the old saying,
“When the visibility is low, go macro.”

At 45 feet, the reef ended, so I started heading in; there’s big patches of sand
between reefs.

A starfish prys open it’s next meal.

A Nudibrach!

I had a small air leak from my first stage, so I had to cut the dive short; however, I
was getting cold, so I don’t think I could have gone on regardless.

Visibility was really crappy in the cove; I made an easy and uneventful exit.

Dripping wet with cool water, the walk up wasn’t bad.

Now, for the party!

All I have to do is announce free food, and my brother shows up; Ed showed up, too.

We just had hotdogs; otherwise I would have brought my real barbecue.

Lars was back in town diving with others; he walked up from the beach in full SCUBA
gear, dripping wet.

Ed asked him, “Did you dive this morning?”

“No, I just walk around in SCUBA gear to keep myself in good shape,” Lars responded.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Beer, hotdogs, ocean air and cool people… or as Jane puts it, “Barbecuing in a parking
lot like we’re homeless.”

Not many women can handle the walk down fully geared; so regular female divers here are a
rarity.

Reverend Al asked, “Where’s all the chicks? This scene resembles a gay bar?”

Reverend Al and his group went off The Point and reported 30-foot visibility.

I don’t like entering The Point at low tide; the boulders are too slippery.

“Debriefing” lasted a couple of hours until the beer ran out.

Me, Ed and Paul ended up at Rebel’s Bar in San Pedro – the nicest neighborhood bar in San
Pedro.