Big Thanks and Report (2-9-08)

[jon m]

A big thanks to Prodiver(and Jim, i guess !) for leading us (at the Breakwater meet-n-greet) to the metridium fields a couple of weeks ago!!!! I was able to find them again yesterday, even in bad vis (maybe5-8’). My buddy loved it as he had never seen them. We dropped down, almost right on and about 10’ from the end of the pipe, and had no problems finding 2 groups of them. We found the pipe on the way in and followed it for an enjoyable 51 minute dive (max depth55’).
We also dove Lobos (2 dives) on Saturday, it was a mess. Actually, outside the cove the vis was good (maybe20+’). The surge, on the other hand was pretty strong! It was fun, once we gave up actually trying to GET anywhere, and just enjoyed the ride!
Practiced mask remove and replace in the surge at Lobos. All was good.
On a side note-
We also saw classes(I think) crawling out at breakwater. I didn’t think the waves
were that high?
Wouldn’t this just get sand all in your gear? I guess if you wanted to practice, you could. We saw somebody rolling around in the surf (1-2’) with full gear on…talk about a nightmare for your rig…I would think it would be easier to walk out??? I dunno , it just seemed like a little much. (this was Sunday at about 2PM)
See ya soon!
-me

 

[Hinalo]

Students exiting often fall down anyway due to a combination of uneven sand bottom and the sudden effects of gravity on their rig once they emerge trying to walk out. It doesn't take much of a wave to knock someone over who isn't used to it. Some instructors tell their students to crawl out so that they will have done it. yeah, it does get sand everywhere, but so does falling down if you're trying to walk out.

 

[Gombessa]

Classes do practice crawling exits at BW. Probably better for your gear than actually getting rolled.

I was out at BW between 1-3pm for an afternoon dive. The shore waves were no more than 1-2ft, but it was actually strong enough to stop you in your tracks when you're trying to walk against it. If my footing slipped just a bit, I'm sure my exit would have been quite inelegant.

 

[sarita75]

Oh my first few dives at the BW were all done on my hands and knees exiting. Between trying to take fins off, balancing, being puffed out, etc. - it was just easier. But now that I know the joy of walking out - yeah, never again will I rough surf exit unless absolutely necessary.

More to the point - Jon! We were so glad to have met you and Amy and would love to dive with you (and her if she's up for it) again. Glad you were able to find the Mets again! They're fantastically eeiry (to me anyhow! )

 

[Brewski]

Glad to hear you were payng attention to the briefing and found the Mertridium field.

As for the crawling classes. Its easier to get new divers to remember how to get out of bad conditions if they get a chance to practice during good conditions. So many instructors will have them do the Monestary crawl at least once during the open water sessions. My advice. if you have to crawl out, check the report next time and rent a good movie if it doesn't look good.