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.

I have closed the Presidential Poll to see who SCUBA divers prefer as President.

Half the respondents chose Ron Paul as their candidate of choice.

Click on the thumbnail to view the results.