Dive Catalina on the Island Time, 12/28

[wetrat]

Everyone meet at North Crescent Bay at 7:00 a.m. thereabouts for a Deadmans dive. If we decide on another location for a 2nd dive, we can discuss during our SI. Or we can stay at Crescent and dive Seal Rock and Pinnacles for a shallower 2nd dive. FOr dive #3 we could possibly do Divers or Heisler Park.

PM me if you need my cell #.

Robb

Sounds FANTASTIC, Robb. Thanks for your patience everybody on my finalizing the cost for our optional third dive on the Island Time on the 28th...

 

[Rick Inman]

Everyone meet at North Crescent Bay at 7:00 a.m. thereabouts for a Deadmans dive. If we decide on another location for a 2nd dive, we can discuss during our SI. Or we can stay at Crescent and dive Seal Rock and Pinnacles for a shallower 2nd dive. FOr dive #3 we could possibly do Divers or Heisler Park.

PM me if you need my cell #.

Robb

That is so perfect. We are staying at the America's Best about 3 blocks away.

 

[Robert Phillips]

That is so perfect. We are staying at the America's Best about 3 blocks away.

3 blocks? You are less than 100 yards to North Crescent! You could spit and hit Circle Way. When you get there on Wednesday, take a walk down Cliff Dr., hang a right and walk down the alley you see across the street over on the left. Avoid the land mines, hang a left when you get back to the street and take a walk down the stairs. Look over to the reefs at the right side of the beach and you will see where we will be diving!

 

[Rick Inman]

3 blocks? You are less than 100 yards to North Crescent! You could spit and hit Circle Way. When you get there on Wednesday, take a walk down Cliff Dr., hang a right and walk down the alley you see across the street over on the left. Avoid the land mines, hang a left when you get back to the street and take a walk down the stairs. Look over to the reefs at the right side of the beach and you will see where we will be diving!

This couldn't be better. Priscilla can sleep in, and then walk down and meet us as we exit the first dive (decaf lattes anyone?).

We will absolutely walk along the beach Wednesday evening after the Catalina boat dives... hand in hand, watching the sun set, dreaming about the next days dives... (that "we" means Priscilla and I, not you and me, Robert :11

 

[wetrat]

Rick - can you let Priscilla know I like caffeine in my lattes? Thanks.

 

[Robert Phillips]

We will absolutely walk along the beach Wednesday evening after the Catalina boat dives... hand in hand, watching the sun set, dreaming about the next days dives... (that "we" means Priscilla and I, not you and me, Robert :11

And as the twinkle in my eyes are replaced by tears, I have but one thought: It was the DM's fault

 

[Rick Inman]

Finally, it's 10 days away, so I can eyeball the Weather Channel online for the forcast!

Compare these two on the 28th: SPOKANE..... AVALON

If you were me, you'd be getting excited about now (it's 14 outside right now).

Funny how one man's backyard is another man's paradise. Here I am longing for the tropical CA diving, and yesterday I got this email from a Montana diver about our local pond:

Hi Rick,

Man, Paul just e-mailed me a few photos from CDA, and it sure looks good! Man, I gotta get over there! Is it good all winter?????-

I'm really hoping to be passing through there in Feb., and would love to dive with you for a day. I can't take the attitude of superiority that Paul's bleeding off on me since he's been there, and I haven't!

 

[Robert Phillips]

Well, we are going to see some really BIG swells this week(20+" at western facing and head to well over sets at southerly facing beaches) and a fairly large swell on the 25th. Hopefully things will have settled down a bit for the followwing week and give us some decent conditions, but we may see some surgy/limited visibility conditions for our dive on the 29th. The islands should give us some protection from the more westerly swell, so we may get lucky on conditions, but don't hold your breath!

 

[wetrat]

Funny how one man's backyard is another man's paradise.

Ha! LOL Rick, no kidding! Anyway, here are some final details on our dive trip Wednesday, December 28th, on the Island Time, 7:30 am show, 8:00 am (sharp) departure:

A third optional dive will be available at a cost of $30. I was trying to get the cost to around $25 but with fuel and crew wages, etc. just couldn't make it work. We will track who does a third dive and their credit cards will be charged after the trip. We need about ten divers to do a third dive to break even so I would encourage you to do so!

The Island Time provides a continental breakfast, snacks and soda. You may want to bring some sandwiches or something because we won't be back until after 3:00 pm. If you want hot drinks, bring a thermos. Please also keep in mind that tipping is customary on dive boats here in SoCal - so you might want to bring some cash.

The Island Time will have full aluminum 80s aboard for us to grab, and will provide fills of our own tanks to 3,000 psi. However, if everyone brought their own tank, it would be a challenge to get them all filled on a one hour SI. So, if you don't mind diving the aluminum 80s, or grabbing one for one of your dives, that would be helpful. For instance, I am planning to bring two full steel 100s and then grabbing an aluminum 80 for my third dive.

Here's our final roster of paid divers:

Rick Inman (2) One non-diver
riguerin (2)
divinman (1)
wetrat (4)
scubalizard (1)
California Diver (1)
Captain Marvel (1)
Kevfin (1)
HBDiveGirl (1)
divmstr223 (1)
scuba_girl (1)


We have already had some discussion about dive sites. Blue Caverns has been suggested as our first site, because it provides diving for all skill levels from 40' to over 100'. DrBill has also suggested some fantastic sites. We have divers of all abilities from novice to technical, and two junior OW divers. So, I am forming a committee consisting of the original planners of the trip Rick Inman, riguerin, me, and in addition, the skipper of the boat. On the morning of the dive, we will assess diving conditions and make a final decision on sites that will best provide a safe, fun dive for everyone.

If you wouldn't mind, please PM me your real name (not user name) and cell number before the trip so I can contact you for anything if I need to. The boat is located at 182 Marina Drive in Long Beach. For specific directions and other details regarding the Express Divers operation, go to their website:

http://www.expressdivers.com/

I am so looking forward to this trip!! If you have any questions at all, please feel free to PM me, otherwise, I'll see you bright and early on December 28th!!

John

 

[Rick Inman]

Nice job, John! Of course, I'm in for dive three, and my real name is Rick Inman.

After Roberts doom and gloom forecast eyebrow , I will lower my expectations and therefore still be satisfied.

Oh, heck! I'm be happy no matter what!