Boat Trip 18 March

[BobbyT22]

Hello All,
I'm trying to spur interest in a March 18th trip out of Lynnhaven Dive Center in VA Beach. It's a tower/tug trip, which is supposed to be a good beginner dive for someone like me. As of now I'm the only one with a ticket. I'd like to meet some of you in person, so come on, sign up.

I leave for San Diego on monday and am bringing my gear. I plan on diving in a kelp forest off a La Jolla if I get a chance....I'll post a report when I get back.
Rob

 

[RAD Diver]

Cool Bobby I will try to make that dive with you. I have been to the Tug three times, but only count 2 dives as the other we had less than 6 inches of vis. I still did 2 dives on it that day, never saw much, but I paid for 2 dives so I made 2 dives.
Everytime they plan a trip such as this they have never made it to the Tower which is fine with me. If it was a deeper rig I would be up for it, but at 40fsw there isnt much to see except 4 legs. I hear its great to spearfish.
Have fun in San Diego. Some friends of mine did the Kelp thing & had a terrific time & dive. But be careful as many divers have got caught in the Kelp & ran out of air never making it to the surface.
Do you have your Nitrox cert yet? Want to try some steel tanks on the 18th?

 

[BobbyT22]

Neg on the nitrox cert, but I want to do that soon. I picked up a steel HP 119 for myself, but haven't tried it out yet. I'll probably dive it for the first time on the 18th. Thanks for the offer, though. What does a Nitrox cert entail?

 

[RAD Diver]

Nitrox through PADI is just a read book, watch video, do some math work & take test. I believe you can do it in 1 night. You no longer need to do any dives for it. It would really add to your bottom time.

 

[BobbyT22]

Got back from San Diego on Friday. I managed to squeeze in one dive in La Jolla. It was a shore dive out to a canyon, with a guide from a local dive shop. We waded into the ocean from the beach, then did a surface swim of about 500 yards through some rolling surf (surfers everywhere). We went down to a sandy bottom about 20 feet down, then swam to the canyon. The canyon dropped off pretty dramatically once we reached it. Surface temp was 59, vis 5-8 feet. Got down to 80 feet depth, which is the deepest I have gone so far. I actually felt a little light headed for a minute, which is my first experience with nitrogen narcosis. Will pursue a Nitrox cert soon. It passed pretty quickly once we ascended to 60 feet. Saw some wild sea lions, which was the highlight of the dive.
Overall it was pretty challenging with the combination of the surface swim, the depth, and the low vis, but I felt comfortable the entire time and am ready to hit the water here. I am still on for Sunday the 18th...hopefully others have signed up as well.

 

[RAD Diver]

Well I was in Lynnhaven Fri. & there were only 2 signed up, I already have a off-shore boat ticket that got blown out so Im not looking to have a in-shore ticket as well, but if the weather is looking promising later this week I will go as long as we can get up some interest.
I was with Drewski & Pook-60 today & both are interested also.
Im glad you had a good dive in Ca. Scuba Diving mag in the March issue had a good write up about shore diving out there except they were doing night dives, but they did La Jolla & it was described just as you did.

 

[BobbyT22]

RAD, Drewski,

Here's the long range forecast from NOAA:

SAT
N WINDS 20 TO 25 KT...DIMINISHING TO 15 TO 20 KT. SEAS 7 TO
8 FT...SUBSIDING TO 4 TO 5 FT. A CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE MORNING.

[SIZE=+1]SUN[/SIZE]
NW WINDS 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING W AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS 3 TO
4 FT.

Not looking great with subsiding 3-4 foot seas. How about making backup plans for Rawlings for Sunday? I am busy the next 2 weekends, so I want to try to dive somewhere this weekend, and I like to meet you guys in person.
Rob

 

[RAD Diver]

Definatly after a blow like Saturday is sounding like vis on Sunday would probably be screwed.
Do you know if anyone has a trip to Rawlings for Sunday? We need 4 for them to open.
I do know of a group going Saturday so they will be open then.

Robert

 

[BobbyT22]

I'm OK for either day. According to the website, they open for the season on Sunday. I want to try out my new steel tank (HP 119) this weekend either on the boat or more likely in the lake. Hopefully by Friday night we'll have a plan to dive somewhere.

BTW, I got the books for the NITROX course Monday, and should get that knocked out soon.

 

[BobbyT22]

Robert, I'm planning on the boat trip being cancelled. The forecast for Sunday is windy with 6 foot seas, and from talking to the shop today in those conditions it is doubtful the trip will go. Still only 2 folks signed up. There will be an instructor and some students at Rawlings tomorrow, so I am heading up there tomorrow. Can you make it? I will be at the lake at around 1030, but I can be there earlier. Looking forward to trying my new steel tank.

If anyone else wants to meet up, let me know.

Rob