Dive Catalina on the Island Time, 12/28

[riguerin]

We're paid up.

 

[wetrat]

I'm was planning on bringing my son, Brandon. He's a recently certified Jr OW diver with 29 logged dives in the past 5 months. He's made a few excursions to the small/shallower wrecks in the NW half of the UW park (Kismet, glass bottom boat, swim platform) that lie in about 60+ ft. He's also made a few brief excursions along the steep SE wall (~60-70') to within visual sighting of the Sue-Jac's wreck below in deeper water. In each case we had good conditions, with the final half of the dive spent in the shallow kelp beds ... providing for a nice long/fun/easy built-in safety stop. He's done very well.

The Valiant is considered a relatively advanced dive (deep/wreck). I don't think that it would be a suitable dive for him. He is a very comfortable diver. However, primarily, due to his age, and the lack of research on the effects of N2 in growing kids, we strive to limit the average depth of our dives to no more than 40ft ... excursion beyond are kept brief.

If the rest of the group wanted to dive the Valiant, that would still be OK. We'd be near the Casino Point UW Park ... so, we (Brandon and I) could surface swim over and back, depending on the conditions. Worst case, Brandon sits out a dive.

Rick,

Hmmm.... the Valiant is a dive that can be made from shore, and from what I understand, there isn't much left of her. I'm thinking we should probably take advantage of the fact we have a boat. I'm also bringing a junior OW diver.

The nice thing about Catalina is you can throw out an anchor, and if you swim toward shore it's a 20-60' fsw dive, and if you swim toward sea it can very quickly become a 100' dive. A good example is Rock Quarry near the Isthmus - it's listed on Franko's as a beginning to advanced dive 10' to 95' with a steep drop off, kelp and abalone. Or Italian Gardens - 20' to 90', beginning to advanced, lots of life, etc.

I guess what I'm saying is I think we can accommodate everyone. I'm going to PM Dr. Bill and see if he has any suggestions for us.

John

 

[wetrat]

We're paid up.

 

[Kevfin]

I'm paid up...

Wetrat???? What are the chances of reaching 15? If it looks like the 15 spots will not be taken, I know some divers(who aren't board members) who might be interested.

If it's okay to invite others at any point, please let me know.

 

[divinman]

Steve's got my money... I'm in!!!

Terry

 

[wetrat]

I'm paid up...

Wetrat???? What are the chances of reaching 15? If it looks like the 15 spots will not be taken, I know some divers (who aren't board members) who might be interested.

If it's okay to invite others at any point, please let me know.

Wahoo Kevfin!! Looks like reservations are slowing a little. I'll have a pretty good idea of where we're at by Friday, and I'll PM ya Kevfin. I'd like to give everyone who said they were coming so far a chance to make their reservations first. Looks like we need more lady divers - Kelphelper? HBDivegirl? Lexy? TekDiveGirl? (Missy - love ya but I know what boats do to you!)

Steve's got my money... I'm in!!!

Terry

Yes!! Glad you're coming Terry.

 

[wetrat]

Ok just got a PM from the venerable Dr. I told him we were a mixed group of divers with two jr OW divers looking for areas with LOTS OF LIFE and he said, if conditions are decent he'd suggest Ship Rock, Eagle Reef, Bird Rock, and Blue Cavern Point in the Isthmus/Two Harbors area. Alternate sites if there is weather would include the Empire Landing Quarry and Sea Fan Grotto sites which are fairly close to Two Harbors.

I'll run these sites by our skipper as our charter nears.

 

[riguerin]

Some good suggestions.

Here's a list of CDN published dive site descriptions (see Santa Catalina Island section) :

http://www.garlic.com/~triblet/swell/CDNDiveSites.html

 

[California Diver]

ok lets compromise, how about blue caverns theres stuff there for all levels of divers, is technical diving allowed off the boat?

 

[riguerin]

ok lets compromise, how about blue caverns theres stuff there for all levels of divers, is technical diving allowed off the boat?

Could work. There's some shallower stuff to the east of the Wrigley Preserve boundary that would be fine for beg/int level divers. There's some deeper walls within the preserve boundaries.

What are you considering for "technical dives" .... deep (130+ fsw) ... sea cave penetration ?