August Wrinkles Dive II (Return to Crescent Bay)

[Otter]

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but there seems to be an 'impressive' SW swell headed our way by the 17th according to WetSand Report. You might want to pick a location facing north.

 

[Diver_Jan]

Sorry I missed the dive with all of you. I dive Deadman's all the time. Was out there on Sunday and Viz was AWESOME!!! 40' ++++. I even bumped into a friend on my way out in the middle of the water. He and his buddy had popped up. ROTFLOL

Just so that all of you know, Deadman's runs East and West, as well as North and South. It's a 240' heading once you drop down to 42' FSW once you are lined up correctly. The North/ South end drops down to 66' FSW. The East/West reef averages 45' FSW. It is possible to do the entire reef on one tank, at least, I have using my Sl 72.

You do have to be careful returning from Deadman's, or you could end up in the shallower reefs which can be dangereous with surf and surge. Take consistant north/ east headings until you reach the smooth sand patterns.

Have fun on the 22nd if you all go out. I will be assisting with a Rescue Class! Whoo hoo...my first official DM job!

 

[Diver_Jan]

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but there seems to be an 'impressive' SW swell headed our way by the 17th according to WetSand Report. You might want to pick a location facing north.

South/West Swell??? We ALWAYS have a south/west swell!!! ROTFLOL

Beach diving, you gotta love it!!!

 

[pasley]

Actually, to be technical. OUr weather comes out of the north in the winter and the south in the summer. Hence our swell is more often out of the North West. In the winter it is just about always out of the North West, and in the summer it is usually out of the South west the tropical storms in the south, but can on occasion shift back to the north west.

Today they are expecting swells from the South West generated by 48 foot waves near the polar ice. The forecast is for chest or higher waves to make the surfers happy on the south facing beaches. But the good news is the swell is coming from due south (180 degrees) and the cove at Crecent bay should shelter a bit from that.

http://www.wetsand.com/wavecast/wc-...11C26AE57DF0F1A80D723F994E3B4754914BA4833B7A3
provides some good long range planning predictions. They are surfing orineted, so when they say bad, we read good conditions. They are talining about the swell might shift to the North West on the 24th with a rare summer storm in that area.

 

[ScubaSeanMaui]

Thanks for the tip Jan. I saw this graphic of the reef which leaves something to be desired: http://www.pacificwilderness.com/Dive Sites/Orange County/OC_crescent_bay.htm
I don't see an interecting reef as well. So when you drop down are you north of the trunk of the T and then you go around the reef, and down the top of the T heading South? It seems if you are lined up with Seal Rock (to the west of it) you could go straight out to sea and hit the reef. We have dove this site a few times, but after your post I can visualize it better.

Thanks,

Sean

 

[ChrisM]

Thanks for the tip Jan. I saw this graphic of the reef which leaves something to be desired: http://www.pacificwilderness.com/Dive Sites/Orange County/OC_crescent_bay.htm
I don't see an interecting reef as well. So when you drop down are you north of the trunk of the T and then you go around the reef, and down the top of the T heading South? It seems if you are lined up with Seal Rock (to the west of it) you could go straight out to sea and hit the reef. We have dove this site a few times, but after your post I can visualize it better.

Thanks,
Sean

That graphic is just wrong, sheesh, that could get someone a nice 60' sand dive. Deadman's ius actually an extension of Seal Rock, wich actually continues as a reef at about 240 out towards deadman's. From diving with southcoastdivers, line up with seal rock to your left (facing the beach) and the outer reef breaking the surface in front of you, drop and go 240 (by memory, I trust Jan's heading)..... or diagonal to the ripples in the sand, and depending on the tide should hit it about 55-65 feet. If you are on sand deeper than that, you've missed it.

Chris

 

[ShakaZulu]

Can't make this dive.............don't ask why (hint: opposite of husband)

 

[wrinkles]

Awww man, I was actually looking forward to meeting you Shaka....

So all of you swell experts how are we looking for the dive on the 22nd. Any improvement in conditions?

Ana

 

[mccabejc]

It's looking more and more like I might be heading to Catalina instead. Just put in a call to my buddy, and if he's up for it or I can get someone else to take the 6:15 ferry over to the Casino with me then I'll probably go there. Catallina is always good. There's a lot of green on the swell model right now and I'm sure it takes a while for the viz to clear up after big swells like this. Anyone??

 

[Otter]

Awww man, I was actually looking forward to meeting you Shaka....

So all of you swell experts how are we looking for the dive on the 22nd. Any improvement in conditions?

Ana

Last I looked, the SW swell had come in earlier than expected and will hopefully clear up by Friday...giving a solid day to clear up. Knock on wood, it should be a good day.

There is an update at wetsand.com on Thursdays.