It’s two months before lobster season, and I have made reservations to go on the Bottom Scratcher on Opening night.

I was told it will be limited to 25 divers, and the boat will move to three different locations, unlike the fiasco in 2005 when most everyone got skunked because the boat anchored in one spot the entire night; read about that night here.

There was quite a turnout this morning – a very rare sight lately.

It was decided to go off the Point since it was so flat and the Cove looked milky.

Chipper showed up, either hung over or still drunk from the previous night.

One of the Terranea workers jokingly told Chipper and I, “Watch out for those mermaids down there.”

Chipper replied, “Yeah, I’m hoping to get a hand job from one of them.”

When she left, Chipper continued, “That will teach her to speak out of line.”

We all geared up and made a very easy entrance off the Point…

We swam out…

…and dropped near the Statue…

Logged SCUBA Dive #498

Dove with Chipper and others

The Point, Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, USA

In With: 2900 psi
Out With: 500 psi
Max depth: 60 feet
Waves: Pretty flat
Visibility: 10 feet, maybe 15 in some places
Water Temperature: 69 degrees on the surface, 59 at depth
Air Temperature: 70 degrees, overcast
Total Bottom Time: 35 minutes

It took me a while to get down, but I made it.

I followed the group to the Statue…

Our Lady Of The Garden

We started our heading to the Cove.

I think we headed shallower than normal; there was some considerable surge and I literally ran into some other divers who I didn’t know were around.

Sea Hares are a common sight now.

Chipper puked underwater before surfacing to puke some more.

I have decided to award Chipper the Macho Diver Of The Weekend award for his 300 mile dive commute and diving while hungover.

A family of Sea Hares.

I had to surface and correct course at least once, but everyone made an easy exit at the Cove.

Traditional debriefing ensued.

Reverend Al inspects his score of sea shells.

Today’s Diving Crew!

Next week, I’m bringing my barbecue – it’s time we start traditions again!

Professional Debriefer Paul later brought to my attention that two bodies were found in San Pedro: Two bodies found at base of cliff in San Pedro

Holy crap!

Writing this post, I just realized I haven’t been diving at all this year!

I am now ashamed, but beach diving conditions have sucked that much, and I haven’t been able to get on a boat either.

I woke up, checked the swell map, and could not come up with an excuse to not show up at Terranea Resort – and I’m a good liar to myself.

I met Reverend Al and Randy… we checked the conditions.

The ocean was flat, the foam was gone.

The Point looked do-able, but we opted for the Cove and 120 reef, in case visibility sucked so bad, we could easily call the dive.

All three of us made an easy entrance…

Logged SCUBA Dive #497

Dove with Reverend Al and Randy

The Cove, Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, USA

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 1000 psi
Max depth: 42 feet
Waves: Pretty flat
Visibility: 10-15 feet
Water Temperature: 64 degrees
Air Temperature: 75 degrees
Total Bottom Time: 42 minutes

We surface swam all the way out, and dropped near 120 reef.

We decided that Randy would lead; he didn’t have a compass, so we all agreed that that would make the dive more interesting.

Reverend Al, the master of underwater navigation, said that he would lead us back when done.

Visibility was not that great, but I did not care.

We took a slow, steady course, re-exploring the 120 reef that we have been to many times before.

The storms and swells have rearranged the familiar shore and seascape.

We fed the fish.

The highlight of our dive – a Black Sea Bass, the size of a Trabant!

The Black Sea Bass hung out with us for a bit.

After about 35 minutes, Reverend Al lead us back to a perfect, spot on and easy exit.

Reverend Al, Randy and Me.

What a wonderful day!

I will take 10 to 15 of visibility than no diving at all!