robint
Contributor
We were at BH this past week, Aug 14th-15th and HOLY Cow, I felt like I was in a movie about the southside of LA. It was downright scary at times, sitting there alone guarding gear, with all these groups of "men" walking around. Sure they were there to cool off in the water, but they were also hanging out topside most of the time. I really felt like I needed a weapon. Saturday there were at least 200 jumpers/swimmers, mostly families with small kids who insisted on standing on the stairs. People were actually blocking divers from getting in and out of water and refusing to move, there were some confrontations and eventually the swimmers moved.
Sunday was the return of some of those families, but then the gangs showed up. One lifeguard was on duty for about 15 minutes at a time each day, showing up and walking around then leaving. On Sunday he actually called the cops and got a few of the thugs thrown out, don't know what they did. Later the lifeguard asked a few more of them to leave... ugly shouting from parking lot as they left, me shaking and worried a fight might break out. Fun, fun.
There was a meeting in Santa Rosa on Thursday night apparently, to discuss Blue Hole and how they can improve the situation, what can be done about the divers and swimmers issues. The lifeguard told some divers about the discussions... they say by next summer there will be permanent security at BH all day long, and permanent life guards. They also said the building will be open and charging all entrants. We'll see.
As far as the diving went.... from 7am til about 10am it was wonderful, only divers there and the occasional family tourists. As the temps rose (it was around 100 degrees both days, hot and humid), the swimmers started trickling in. The rough guys showed around noon. So if you are going there to dive anytime before Labor Day, or when the weather starts to cool off, be sure to take along someone to sit and guard your stuff. I had several people walk right up and stare at our stuff, smile at me and walk off... I know what they were thinking.
Our divers got certified without issues with the crowds and out of there before noon yesterday.... but BH did not show itself well to these new divers. The rude crowds, the issues getting in and out of water, the trash everywhere, the nasty bathrooms... I wish an Official would show up and see what the divers see on days like Sunday. Divers are their money makers, not these thugs who just show up and trash the place!!
I will post some photos from the weekend later. I only got in one dive. :depressed:
robin
Sunday was the return of some of those families, but then the gangs showed up. One lifeguard was on duty for about 15 minutes at a time each day, showing up and walking around then leaving. On Sunday he actually called the cops and got a few of the thugs thrown out, don't know what they did. Later the lifeguard asked a few more of them to leave... ugly shouting from parking lot as they left, me shaking and worried a fight might break out. Fun, fun.
There was a meeting in Santa Rosa on Thursday night apparently, to discuss Blue Hole and how they can improve the situation, what can be done about the divers and swimmers issues. The lifeguard told some divers about the discussions... they say by next summer there will be permanent security at BH all day long, and permanent life guards. They also said the building will be open and charging all entrants. We'll see.
As far as the diving went.... from 7am til about 10am it was wonderful, only divers there and the occasional family tourists. As the temps rose (it was around 100 degrees both days, hot and humid), the swimmers started trickling in. The rough guys showed around noon. So if you are going there to dive anytime before Labor Day, or when the weather starts to cool off, be sure to take along someone to sit and guard your stuff. I had several people walk right up and stare at our stuff, smile at me and walk off... I know what they were thinking.
Our divers got certified without issues with the crowds and out of there before noon yesterday.... but BH did not show itself well to these new divers. The rude crowds, the issues getting in and out of water, the trash everywhere, the nasty bathrooms... I wish an Official would show up and see what the divers see on days like Sunday. Divers are their money makers, not these thugs who just show up and trash the place!!
I will post some photos from the weekend later. I only got in one dive. :depressed:
robin
