Jon C
Guest
I don't usually feel complelled to start my own posts...there are so many great topics without my jumping in...but I had to speak about my local dive at Crescent Bay last weekend.
As most of the regulars know, while SoCal has great beaches, great weather, great divers and clubs...the conditions in the water usually leave much to be desired. Urban run off, cold currents, high surf...all contribute to murky vis, lots of shivers and entertaining entries and exits.
So, in spite of the fires blazing away, bad conditions predicted the day before, and the usual chilly water, my buddy and I were met with 25-30 foot vis and no surf. (Water still cold). Yes, I know many of you are laughing at the "25-30 foot vis"; but you are spoiled!!! The unfortunate winds that made the fires so bad also make the water clearer by pushing out the warmer, dirtier water and allowing clear, cold water to upwell and take its place. Probably the ONLY good thing about those winds.
Anyway, long story short, there was the added dimension of being able to see beyond "buddy distance" and it was long overdue.
At the end of our dive, I was looking at a reef about 30 feet away and it slowly disappeared right in front of my eyes...disolved!:11: As it vanished, the sand out in front of me seemed to be falling off into the abyss and the drop-off was getting closer fast. Scary, huh?
What it was: A huge school of topsmelt or sardines was going overhead without me noticing. They blocked the light out at the outer reef first and their sheer numbers gradually made the light hitting the sand in front of us diminish to the point of looking like a cliff was forming. The school, which had to be 30 foot minimum in width, went by for the next 20-30 seconds at quite a speed. Countless fish...simply amazing. As they finally went by, 4 seals were chasing the school and they put on the brakes to play with us for a few minutes....
Best Dive Here In Two Years!
As most of the regulars know, while SoCal has great beaches, great weather, great divers and clubs...the conditions in the water usually leave much to be desired. Urban run off, cold currents, high surf...all contribute to murky vis, lots of shivers and entertaining entries and exits.
So, in spite of the fires blazing away, bad conditions predicted the day before, and the usual chilly water, my buddy and I were met with 25-30 foot vis and no surf. (Water still cold). Yes, I know many of you are laughing at the "25-30 foot vis"; but you are spoiled!!! The unfortunate winds that made the fires so bad also make the water clearer by pushing out the warmer, dirtier water and allowing clear, cold water to upwell and take its place. Probably the ONLY good thing about those winds.
Anyway, long story short, there was the added dimension of being able to see beyond "buddy distance" and it was long overdue.
At the end of our dive, I was looking at a reef about 30 feet away and it slowly disappeared right in front of my eyes...disolved!:11: As it vanished, the sand out in front of me seemed to be falling off into the abyss and the drop-off was getting closer fast. Scary, huh?
What it was: A huge school of topsmelt or sardines was going overhead without me noticing. They blocked the light out at the outer reef first and their sheer numbers gradually made the light hitting the sand in front of us diminish to the point of looking like a cliff was forming. The school, which had to be 30 foot minimum in width, went by for the next 20-30 seconds at quite a speed. Countless fish...simply amazing. As they finally went by, 4 seals were chasing the school and they put on the brakes to play with us for a few minutes....
Best Dive Here In Two Years!
