Concrete entry at Marine Land?

[Jake]

So a friend and I were talking about OML today. I stated that I love diving there, but the walk and entry tend to be too much for my usual dive buddies (especially the entry).

To which he replied, "it's too bad there isn't a concrete entry point like there is at Casino Point." The idea certainly was intriguing.

I'm curious how other SoCal divers would feel about such a project being done in the future at OML (assuming the property owners consented and assuming it was legal). Just for the sake of argument, let's say that it would be possible to add a narrow boat entry style concrete ramp (maybe 5-6' across) at Cobble Beach and at Long Point. Something just wide enough to get a single diver down it, and just long enough to get into deep enough water to start kicking.

A) Would you oppose or support something like this?

B) Would you dive OML more?

 

[LAJim]

When its a -2 ft. low tide at the Casino I wish there was a concrete entry (exit) point there too!

To resond to your question - I'll guess that the developer will make no improvements at the site for the specific benefit of diving or other public use, except where expressely required as a condition for their use of the property. While they are apparently required to honor prescriptive rights to the use of the property (diving) any improvements that would significiantly increase public use and create a liability issue relating to their improvements - don't see it happening.

Jim

 

[Mo2vation]

Nothing against making some dive sites more accessible - but not this one.

Speaking for myself, I hope the entry to OML is never a walk in, or paved, or steps, or anything less or eaiser than it is now.

I hope they don't make the hill less steep, I wish there wasn't talk of paving the walk or adding facilities.

I hope the walk back up that hill after an 88 minute dive, in a drysuit, wearing a 130 and schlepping heavy Turtle fins and a rediculously outsized camera rig never gets easier. Some things shouldn't be easy. I work very hard to stay in shape, and this is one of the top reasons why.

I hope they don't install benches on the way up for gentle post-dive repose. I want to walk up that hill in a brisk and unbroken stride and arrive at the top panting - knowing I accomplished something on both the dive and after the dive.

I hope they don't knock out any of the tough and jagged rocks at the point - as I have entry channels mapped out for every possible tide height and accessible swell condition.

I hope that cobble beach remains as slippery and as noisy 20 years from now as it is today.

OML is not a dive for everyone. Its that simple. You gotta want it. You need to practice, you need to get bounced a few times, you need to be in shape, you need to have game. Especially to get in at the point most days.

To dive OML regularly as it sits today means something to those of us who do. I'm bitter you no longer need to hop a fence of tramp down an overgrown trail to get to our fav entry point.

To turn it into another Casion Point type entry, or make it so easy that the riff raff will descent enmasse, or classes can be held there, or have it open all hours so it becomes Drink Vets South would be a shame.

I love it just as it is. Even with the little plastic fence you gotta climb over to get to the point these days. Kinda cool, really.


---
Ken

 

[MaxBottomtime]

A) Would you oppose or support something like this?

I would oppose it. Palos Verdes divinig is not for everyone. Marineland (not OML) is actually one of the easier sites on the hill to dive. Because of the remote locations and climbing required you can still see animals that are rare or nearly extinct elsewhere in SoCal. Where else could you find a dozen or more species of nudibranchs on one dive? The pinnacles have more life on them than most bus sized rocks in Laguna Beach. If you look in every hole you can easily find 15-20+ octopus on every dive.
As Jim stated, the liability issues alone would prevent Terranea Resort from doing anything to the shoreline. If there was anything I would have done differently when Marineland closed in 1987, I would have taken their Superslide and installed it at the Point. We could then slide right into the pinnacle area.

B) Would you dive OML more?

I have 257 dives there as of today, not including a couple of years of free diving there before I was certified in 1989. If they made it easy enough for everyone to dive I would go back to Christmas Tree Cove.

 

[HBDiveGirl]

Mother Nature and King Neptune get the final vote on this idea.

Ha. Ha.

Uh... NO.

Casino Point doesn't get hammered with 8 to 10 foot explosions of crashing water during regularly scheduled winter storms. The Casino steps and rails have a hope of surviving due to the protection offered by the island.

The Pacific Ocean routinely rearranges the car-sized boulders at "Cobble Beach" each winter. The waves at the point during a big storm explode so hard the ground shakes. Concete steps and rails would be history in a very short time.

It's a moot point, but I agree whole-heartedly with Ken and Phil: A certain kind of best place should be difficult, requiring skill, strength and knowledge.

Marineland/OML/Cobble Beach/Long Point? This is one of those places.

Thanks for the comment though, Jake. It was interesting to think about the possibilities and consequences.

~~~~~
'Dette

 

[drbill]

Nothing against making some dive sites more accessible - but not this one.

Speaking for myself, I hope the entry to OML is never a walk in, or paved, or steps, or anything less or eaiser than it is now.

I hope they don't make the hill less steep, I wish there wasn't talk of paving the walk or adding facilities.

I hope the walk back up that hill after an 88 minute dive, in a drysuit, wearing a 130 and schlepping heavy Turtle fins and a rediculously outsized camera rig never gets easier. Some things shouldn't be easy. I work very hard to stay in shape, and this is one of the top reasons why.

I hope they don't install benches on the way up for gentle post-dive repose. I want to walk up that hill in a brisk and unbroken stride and arrive at the top panting - knowing I accomplished something on both the dive and after the dive.

I hope they don't knock out any of the tough and jagged rocks at the point - as I have entry channels mapped out for every possible tide height and accessible swell condition.

I hope that cobble beach remains as slippery and as noisy 20 years from now as it is today.

OML is not a dive for everyone. Its that simple. You gotta want it. You need to practice, you need to get bounced a few times, you need to be in shape, you need to have game. Especially to get in at the point most days.

To dive OML regularly as it sits today means something to those of us who do. I'm bitter you no longer need to hop a fence of tramp down an overgrown trail to get to our fav entry point.

To turn it into another Casion Point type entry, or make it so easy that the riff raff will descent enmasse, or classes can be held there, or have it open all hours so it becomes Drink Vets South would be a shame.

I love it just as it is. Even with the little plastic fence you gotta climb over to get to the point these days. Kinda cool, really.


---
Ken

Just wait until you get to be my age, Ken!

Having never dived it, I can't comment intelligently on the idea but I do think Ken has some valid points here.

I think the entry stairs at Casino Point have created a significant impact on marine life in the park by making it too easy for too many divers to enter the park. However, having a fairly protected dive site on the island for classes, etc., isn't a bad thing since there are so many other great sites to dive.

 

[drbill]

Mother Nature and King Neptune get the final vote on this idea.
'Dette

When I first read this, I thought you were referring to SCUBA Luv's King Neptune, Claudette!

 

[Archangel]

I am just parroting what Ken and 'dette have so eloquently written.

OML is a quiet monster. It is one of a handful of sites that truly scare me. I have visited the site more than I have dived it.

I have gone off of Long Point with expert execution only to get maytag'd and bloody coming in at Cobble Beach.

Making it easier will only dumb it down at the expense of the pristine life out there. Further, was just reminded by Claudette's post, I have actually watched sand being made as boulders were thrown out of the angry bubbling ocean. . .

. . . . one of the days I turned around and drove the 1.5 hours back home.

Tevis

 

[Mo2vation]

I am just parroting what Ken and 'dette have so eloquently written.

OML is a quiet monster. It is one of a handfull of sites that truly scare me. I have visited the site more than I have dived it.

I have gone off of Long Point with expert execution only to get maytag'd and bloody coming in at Cobble Beach.

Making it easier will only dumb it down at the expense of the pristine life out there. Further, was just reminded by Claudette's post, I have actually watched sand being made as boulders were thrown out of the angry bubbling ocean. . .

. . . . one of the days I turned around and drove the 1.5 hours back home.

Tevis

On one of those days, you, me and Chica watched 4 footers and decided to bolt. We looked over our shoulder and some rogue 7 footer rolled in and broke over the hillside.

As Phil, the SoCal King o Marineland said, PV diving is not for everyone. Dude has a zillion dives there because he recognized the resource and trained himself to do it well - then focused on execution. Dub 120's at MarineLand... the man is a force of nature. Phil has probably taken more of us into that place than anyone else.

Its simply the best shore dive in SoCal. I love it. I'm working on my zillionth dive there, but still have a long way to go.

Claudette and I were talking about it on Sat when we were there - this place always elevates the heart rate on the way in and on the way out (it does for us, anyway.) I know the day it doesn't is the day I've lost my healthy respect for it, and is likely the day I break something.

DrB - you would love the place. Really love it. However, with your track record as a Nudi repellant (could it be that wetsuit?!) I think the only thing you'd likely see there would be fishies and Octos. :10: :10: :10:


---
Ken

 

[JMdiver]

I agree with Ken except for climbing of the fence deal I can do w/o that but the rest is about right. It's fairly new to me & like Tevis have visited there mire times than I've dive it & have been injured there because I went in when it was boarderline. Got in OK but the exit was a little ruff so this place is not for everyone & that's OK with me some places should be left alone. Still haven't dove the point yet, soon I hope.

John