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

Diving With John H.

In With: 2600 psi
Out With: 200 psi
Max depth: 55 feet
Waves: 1-2 feet, pretty calm
Visibility: 20 feet in some places
Water Temperature: Getting cold
Total Bottom Time: 45 minutes

I took my time getting to Long Point; this was supposed to be a solo dive.

Once I geared up, I had major problems with my rig free flowing.

This has been happening about once every four F’ing dives!

Anyway, as I finally pieced together a working rig from my other rigs, someone pulled up and said to me, “hey, I see you diving solo all over the place…”

He must have geared up quickly; by the time I got down and entered from the point, he was right behind me.

“I’m following you,” he said.

Realizing that I had only 2600 psi, I canceled plans to look for recently sunken boat and agreed to follow him.

John H did a macho man belly flop off the Point with his spear gun.

We debated on where to exit.

Since he said he would teach me how to exit the Point, we decided to go West.

We explored the kelp and lobster holes.

John speared a few fish – a sheephead and a White Sea bass.

I went up first when I had 200 psi – John stayed under for about 10 additional minutes.

We were way the hell out!

A few hundred yards South West of “the Point.”

After a 20 minute surface swim against the current, we “surfed” onto The Point.

John H’s girlfriend Mayna complimented the green color of my Duster.

I think John remembers the car, not necessarily me.

The lobster John caught was given to me.

I’ll be anyone’s buddy if they give me lobster!

Arch Point
Santa Barbara Island, CA off of the Sundiver Boat

Dove with Nick

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 900 psi
Max depth: 50 feet
Waves: 3-4 towards shore, strong current and surges
Visibility: 30 feet
Water Temperature: Cool to cold
Total Bottom Time: 45 minutes

The Captain said there’s lobsters in the rocks.

I traded my camera for my lobster bag, but realized that once I jumped over that I forgot my lobster gauge.

Realizing that I haven’t even seen a lobster on this trip, I didn’t sweat it.

I almost got swept into a crevice by a strong surge.

Nick and I followed toward the arch; I reached as deep as 50 feet.

It’s pretty barren here, sea urchins and small fish – well, I saw a big Sheephead here.

Coming back to the boat we encountered a strong current.

We swam down over a ledge where the current was weaker.

Around the boat, Nick aggressively dug out a lobster that was wedged in the rocks, ripping off both of its antennas.

After measuring it, it was indeed short, so we set it free.

We were supposed to do a fourth dive; I’m glad we didn’t.

I had completely lost track of where I am on the dive tables.

Boat Review Of The Sundiver:

The Sundiver is an OK boat, but there’s three things that I didn’t like:

1. They strap your gear bag to a ledge that dangles over the side.

2. They had double bunks. SO if you’re alone, you may be sleeping with some dude.

3. They charge for everything! $4 air fills, $1 coffees, etc.

4. It is note worthy to realize that you can stumble onto the deck and be a drunken dick the night before a dive and, probably won’t be thrown overboard.

After a five hour boat ride back, we all safely arrived back at port.

A great weekend of diving!