I'd offer a detailed response but it seems like most of the questions have been answered and I'm on a rather iffy Internet connection until the weekend.
A couple more questions about Catalina for the uninitiated
- Thread starter Rudebob
- Start date
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Rudebob
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Had a great time and everything went smoothly. Took the 6:15 a.m. ferry out of Long Beach. Walked over to the park (with our gear, did not use transportation service as we did not have tanks). Made 3 dives, was able to shower at the public shower place, get a bite to eat, and still had plenty of time to make the 3:45 ferry. Drove to Ontario to have 6:15 dinner with relatives (forgot that there are still traffic jams on freeways-even on Saturday night) and drove back to Phoenix that night. It was a long day but well worth it.
Things I would do differently next time:
Take my own weights. We rented tanks and weight belts. Having the extra weight with the 7 mil on a belt made peak buoyancy a new challenge since I am used to diving without a suit and having my own integrated weights. My son removed the weights off the belt and integrated them in his pouches and said he had no problems. Renting the tanks worked out well with the crowd there. It seemed like there was always a long line for people waiting on fills. They were even low on their own tanks but always had just enough to exchange with us so there was no waiting on our part. If I was going to dive again on the weekend I would still forgo taking our taking tanks based on the crowd this last weekend.
Take a mat or tarp to lay the gear out on. The area behind the wall gets pretty wet with nasty water that my mouthpiece came in contact with more than once.
Forgo the lockers. It seamed like everybody was comfortable leaving their stuff out. We met some other divers in which we were alternating between dives and S.I.s so we kinda of knew who each others stuff was to watch out for. Plus, there were people with a lot nicer stuff than we have so I figure would-be thieves would start with there stuff first.
Stay the night and dive two days. One day would need to be from a boat as the park is limited after a few dives. I would also, if at all possible, avoid the park on weekends in the future. I seemed crowded, but maybe that was normal. Lots of certification dives going on. Conditions were better on our first dive when we were one of only a few in the water.
Thanks again for the help making the trip a reality. I would not have done it if it were not from all the good info I got from this board.
bob
Things I would do differently next time:
Take my own weights. We rented tanks and weight belts. Having the extra weight with the 7 mil on a belt made peak buoyancy a new challenge since I am used to diving without a suit and having my own integrated weights. My son removed the weights off the belt and integrated them in his pouches and said he had no problems. Renting the tanks worked out well with the crowd there. It seemed like there was always a long line for people waiting on fills. They were even low on their own tanks but always had just enough to exchange with us so there was no waiting on our part. If I was going to dive again on the weekend I would still forgo taking our taking tanks based on the crowd this last weekend.
Take a mat or tarp to lay the gear out on. The area behind the wall gets pretty wet with nasty water that my mouthpiece came in contact with more than once.
Forgo the lockers. It seamed like everybody was comfortable leaving their stuff out. We met some other divers in which we were alternating between dives and S.I.s so we kinda of knew who each others stuff was to watch out for. Plus, there were people with a lot nicer stuff than we have so I figure would-be thieves would start with there stuff first.
Stay the night and dive two days. One day would need to be from a boat as the park is limited after a few dives. I would also, if at all possible, avoid the park on weekends in the future. I seemed crowded, but maybe that was normal. Lots of certification dives going on. Conditions were better on our first dive when we were one of only a few in the water.
Thanks again for the help making the trip a reality. I would not have done it if it were not from all the good info I got from this board.
bob
Bob, I'm glad your had a good time. Diving the park is a great dive, particularly the first dive of the day. After the students get in, the vis suffers down current. Good call on the mat. It’s something most of us bring but forget to tell others about.
I think you experienced the typical weekend student invasion. It really doesn't get any less crowded on weekends. You may also want to consider the other end of the island over at Twin Harbors. It is less crowded but you have to camp, no hotels, and there are fewer express runs to that landing.
Diving two harbors has its advantages. However, it is best done from a boat IMHO.
Hi Bob,
Definitely stay over night next time if you can, but all the hotels won't do just one night except off season & then only a few will do one night. You can do a boat from the mainland & get to some really nice spots & you get lunch & fills. A boat from the mainland would be cheaper also because you won't have to pay for the Express over.
John
Definitely stay over night next time if you can, but all the hotels won't do just one night except off season & then only a few will do one night. You can do a boat from the mainland & get to some really nice spots & you get lunch & fills. A boat from the mainland would be cheaper also because you won't have to pay for the Express over.
John
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