Casino Point 7/10 Head Count...who's going?

[redondo_scuba_cat]

I just finished packing up my dive gear and I was looking for a dive report for Avalon by searching on Google. stumbled upon this post and the Scuba Board. How was the dive Saturday 7/10/04? You guys should be on the boat returning from Avalon right around now.

I'll be there tomorrow so I guess I missed the SB get together.

I've never gone diving off of Casino Point in my 14 years of diving SoCal, but I hear it's very scenic. I'll be heading over on the 8:30 boat from the Long Beach Catalina Landing. I've actually shown up at the wrong dock and had to rush to the other one.

I'm looking forward to a nice leisurely shore dive. I've gotten so lazy hopping off the dive boats that I haven't done a beach dive for a couple years. My last dive was off Redondo King Harbor at the end of Lobster season. Yes, I've got bug fever.

kirk

 

[PhotoTJ]

What a great day! Good diving, and great company. Finally met the good Dr. Bill.

The fish at Catalina are getting smarter, look at the signal they were sending. (Aimed, no doubt, at those idiots in the boats that crossed into the dive park!)

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?p=675155#post675155

Can't wait to do it again!

Oh, and I posted a few of todays shots in my gallery, take a peek.

 

[saf_25]

I agree with TJ, it was a great day! I especially appreciate Ken's help with my camera - it was amazing to see how big of a difference his suggestion to change my aperture (sp?) setting made with my pictures. I think that there's hope for me yet!
Sorry I didn't get to say goodbye to most of you, and that we weren't able to meet up for dinner. Hopefully next time we'll be able to stick around later.
So, for those of you who went Sunday, how was the boat to Santa Barbara Island?

 

[Diver_Jan]

Hi everyone!

I had a fabulous time on Saturday with all of you. I am sorry that I wasn't able to stay longer, I **REALLY** wanted to do more than 2 dives, but the 2 hours that I was 'under' was fantastic! I was able to get some great shots of Oscar too!

I froze my butt off on the express back over to the mainland, but quickly warmed up at the Pacific Amphitheatre. Berlin was EXCELLENT!!! Psychadelic Furs and the other band...they can move on in my opinion.

I spent all of Sunday at the fair with a good friend. Think I did way too much this weekend, for now I am sick! Ugh... So much for completing my DM tests and stress test this week!

Next time we go to Casino Point, I want to take the first boat out, and the last one coming back!

Hugs to all....

 

[sapphire]

I agree with TJ, it was a great day!

It WAS a great day, Stacy!

So, for those of you who went Sunday, how was the boat to Santa Barbara Island?

OMG, the conditions at Santa Barbara Island were awesome this weekend. The trip out Sat nite was a little rough, many green people on Sunday morning. But we had sea lions on every dive, and the ocean was calm and flat. Vis was at least 40 ft. and at the sea lion rookery we had many sea lions playing with us, doing a ballet and dive bombing us! We saw some large bat rays, and many smaller things. I forgot how beautiful a bed of sea and brittle stars can be!

I think Ken got some good photos this weekend, I left the camera topside as i was practicing drysuit techniques!

You will have to come next time, Stacy!

jennifer

 

[saf_25]

It WAS a great day, Stacy!

Oh, I'm glad that conditions were good for you. Especially with our new friend Bob, who made the trek from Chicago to go with you, I'm glad that he was able to have the full SB Island experience and see how amazing CA diving can be. Next time, I will definitely join you guys.

 

[Nay]

Jan, I'd love to see your pictures of Oscar that you got this weekend. I haven't "met" him yet but on our night dive, my husband saw a Giant Black Sea Bass that had to be 700-800 lbs.
Loved my my first time diving the point, can't wait to do it again!

 

[merlindiver]

SoCal Divers are awesome and you guys live in a beautiful location.

Wow…I had a great weekend. Thank you everyone for making me feel so welcome. Jennifer and Ken, you guys are the best. I enjoyed diving with you guys all weekend.

Jennifer it was serendipity that allowed us to become friends and for this spur of the moment trip to happen, however it was your friendly, kind and adventurous nature that made this such a fantastic trip. I am soooo sorry for hitting you in the face with the cylinder (oops). I promise never to do that again.

It was synchronicity that Ken dove his 200th on the same dive I did my 100th. I hope to be half as good of a diver as Ken when I hit my 200th. Ken…you rock man, really enjoyed diving with you.

Rosa, Anna, Steve, Dr.Bill, Stacy, Jan….all you guys….Thank you…I look forward to diving with you all again someday. Please let me know if you come to Chicago. I’d love to show you my town, and it would be a good reason for me to finally dive Lake Michigan.

Catalina is a great dive site. Loved the easy, slippery, steps that take you into the fascinating Kelp forest. My first dive was a bit stressful, getting used to the rental gear and moderate cold. I was surprised that even at 55° I was comfortable. I would love to come back and dive the site again.

The dives Sunday on Santa Barbara Island were absolutely beautiful. My third dive of the day with Jen and Ken and many Sea Lions, was my best dive EVER. The Sea Lions regaled us. They got the biggest charge out of freaking-out this guy from Chicago. The first couple of times they charged at me, I made a conscious choice not to cower, however my body involuntarily went into a fetal position. This reaction must have had them laughing their Asses off, cause they did it until I stopped. I have some fun shots of a SL kissing Jen and one sitting on the bottom, waving his fin and posing for Ken. I will post.

I had my pictures developed and my friends and colleges loved them. Wish they could have experience SoCal Divers friendliness and the great dives too. :07:

 

[Diver_Jan]

Jen, Ken, and Bob~ I am so glad that you guys made it out to SB Island. It's nice diving, that is for sure. My favorite spot there is Blacks Cavern. Cool cave that the center opening sits in about 95' fsw. Glad to hear that the sea lions were active. Many a times I have dove there only to have a few out and about, or for conditions not to be so good.

Since buying my 'scuba vehicle' I have cut down on the number of boat trips and have taken up beach diving. If you enjoy diving with the Sea Lions, you will have to come and dive with me in Laguna to Seal Rock and Deadman's Reef. We have a ton of sea lions that are either in the water or sun bathing themselves. The best part about the dive, it's for FREE!!! Not only that, but you also get a chance to see some sea lions/ seals that have been rescued and released. What a great feeling that is to witness that, and thanks to Friends of the Sea Lion Rescue in Laguna Beach!

Nay, and everyone else, I will attempt to upload the photos from Saturday to a file here. I will post the link after I complete the task. It was good to meet you and your husband. I hope Mike didn't give you two to hard of a time. He's a pretty mellow guy. So did you pass your AOW??? I will be out assisting Mike this coming weekend on Saturday morning. Should be interesting and fun.

 

[Diver_Jan]

I just finished packing up my dive gear and I was looking for a dive report for Avalon by searching on Google. stumbled upon this post and the Scuba Board. How was the dive Saturday 7/10/04? You guys should be on the boat returning from Avalon right around now.

I'll be there tomorrow so I guess I missed the SB get together.

I've never gone diving off of Casino Point in my 14 years of diving SoCal, but I hear it's very scenic. I'll be heading over on the 8:30 boat from the Long Beach Catalina Landing. I've actually shown up at the wrong dock and had to rush to the other one.

I'm looking forward to a nice leisurely shore dive. I've gotten so lazy hopping off the dive boats that I haven't done a beach dive for a couple years. My last dive was off Redondo King Harbor at the end of Lobster season. Yes, I've got bug fever.

kirk

So Kirk,

Did you have a good time at Casino Point??? Too bad that you didn't get to meet up with us on Saturday. Hmmm...I think we need to do this like every other month, the diving is just wonderful there. Maybe we can even get permission next time to dive the Valiant. That would be too cool.

I see you're in Redondo Beach. I was just there a few weeks ago assisting with a Padi Rescue Class. I had a great time. I even ran into people I knew. Odd, since I am from Orange County. What a small world we live in!

Anytime you want to dive Laguna, look me up!

Cheers,