Veterans Park, Redondo Beach, CA

Solo Diving

In With: 3100 psi
Out With: 500 psi
Max depth: 105 feet
Waves: Flat as a lake, almost
Visibility: 15 feet and crystal clear until 85 feet, then a little murky.
Water Temperature: Cool, maybe 55
Total Bottom Time: 35 minutes

Having had to work really early in the morning at my real job, I arrived at Vets Park a little before 7 AM.

There were no waves and reports of great visibility, so I quickly geared up and entered the water.

Dolphins were seen swimming North, so I descended in 15 feet of water and swam East,  hoping to spot a few.

The edge of the canyon; it goes from 35 to 85 feet really quick.

I went to 60 feet and headed South towards the “monument” or “blocks.”

A man eating crab.

There seemed to be less trash to look at on this dive.

After not finding the monument, I decided that I should go deep; after all, I need to find a purpose for this dive so I could feel some sort of accomplishment.

So I headed West — I was feeling REALLY good.

The Nitrogen Narcosis was getting me really buzzed, my brain pictured Tommy Chong singing a concert of “So Fine.”

This is what I look like when I’m narced at 105 feet.

I turned around and became a little concerned when I kept kicking East and not getting any shallower.

I thought, “I’m suppose to go East right? Maybe it is West?”

Yep, I was narced.

I’ve made that mistake so many times, but I forgot how far 105 feet is from the 85 foot slope off the canyon.

I made it to shallower and warmer water at the top of the canyon.

I ran in to THE cement bucket; I was so excited!

I did a slow swim towards shore, combining my safety stop with the swim in.

I made an uneventful exit as the water was really flat, but still managed to trip over the sand step that’s in one foot of water.

This morning was ideal conditions for dive classes.

After a Chelada and some conversation with other divers, I headed towards home.

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

Dove With Reverend Al, SCJoe and John

In With: 2900 psi
Out With: 1200 psi
Max depth: About 30 feet
Waves: Regular small swells, sort of mildly rough
Visibility: 0-5 feet
Water Temperature: 54 degrees
Total Bottom Time: About 25 minutes

To dive or not to dive?

That was the question.

Reverend Al, the crew and me sat for 25 minutes on the cliff looking at the swells, the surf and the overcast conditions.

We were going to call it, until two chicks and Max Bottom Time said they were going to go for it.

Yes, if everyone jumped off a bridge, I probably would, too.

One of the chicks, “Angelshark” was spear fishing.

She asked, “Which way are you going?”

“120 reef.”

“Okay, we’re going the other way.”

I followed Reverend Al, SCJoe and John off the Cove.

I think I might be a little overweighted with my really old wetsuit; I sank like a brick until I inflated my BC.

The group descended off the point at Pigeon Shit Cave and followed Reverend Al to 120 reef.

Visibility sucked!

I followed fins, kept an eye on other divers and briefly scoped out the shadows of the reef…

…five feet at best.

Previous to descending, I told Reverend Al, “If I wave you off, I’m telling you ‘bye,’ so don’t worry about me.”

Just as I was going to head in, Al turned towards the cove… we were heading in.

In 15 feet of water, vis turned to zero; I ascended and surface swam in.

Everyone else was on the surface within two more minutes.

I came ashore over the “easy” way out (so it was explained to me!) – no big rocks to lean on, but fairly flat, compared to other parts of the beach.

The beach has changed so much here, I constantly have to rethink my exit strategy.

Nick and his newly certified girlfriend Jill were on shore watching our exits.

Jill was apparently taking pictures of my exit – probably for her future reference of what a macho rock beach exit looks like.

Now for the debriefing!

We had an assortment of beer, Korean ribs, rice, kim chi and pork something.

This is probably why we didn’t call the dive earlier; we needed to “earn” our beer and barbecue.

New diver Jill consults Ed over his 20 plus years of diving experience.

I warned her, “If you start diving here, we’ll corrupt you.”

“I’m already corrupted,” she said.

Nick and Jill then started to complain that this blog “is gay.”

Spear fisherwoman Angelshark poses with her gun at the back of the Duster.

Everyone loved the food and beer; it was a nice change from the standard hot dogs that everyone else brings.

The whole party wrapped up a little after noon.

Crappy diving conditions, but another perfect day!