Dive Catalina on the Island Time, 12/28

[wetrat]

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

Lol, it's all good. Drinking espresso and watching the surf pound the coastline in Laguna is even fun!!

BTW, just got off the phone with Robert who is very knowledgeable about ocean conditions - he said we should still be OK for Catalina the 28th. The lee of the island provides significant protection from NW and W swell, but we may need to bring some Dramamine for the trip across the channel!

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

That a boy!!!

John

 

[Kevfin]

Looks like Blue Cavern is a great place to dive... however, it can be hard on the boat operator or the divers... I don't mind the swim, definitely worth it...

http://www.saintbrendan.com/cdnaug01/catlna8.html

 

[riguerin]

The big swell later this week will be coming in from approx 270 degrees ... quite a bit of energy should slip through the creases between the offshore islands to reach the So Cal mainland … even here in OC. According to Surfline, it looks like it should be pretty huge … double-triple overhead at the top spots. It looks like it’s forecasted to hold decent size (overhead +) through the weekend. There’s also the possibility of another solid NW pulse middle of next week. Here’s an excerpt:


SHORT RANGE

On Tuesday WNW energy (280-300) will briefly drop off. It will still be fun with surf in the chest-shoulder high range at lots of spots and sets running a foot+ overhead at top breaks.

On Wednesday a very solid W swell (250-290) will rapidly build in from storm activity about 1000 miles off the California Coast this afternoon. Because of the broad angle of the swell and proximity to the coast, we’ll see a consistent, powerful swell in the overhead to double overhead range at many breaks with a view to the WSW/W/NW. Standout spots in the South Bay, Ventura and select other nooks and crannies see sets waves in the 15’+++ range on occasion. This swell will be on the downswing by Thursday but lots of spots are still well overhead, while standouts see double overhead++ sets. This storm/swell will continue to develop over the next 12-24 hours, so look for even further updates tomorrow.

Smaller surf takes over on Friday as the swell drops but look for plenty of head high waves at well exposed breaks, while standout spots see overhead++ sets.

Conditions: Conditions will be generally clean in the mornings Tuesday through Thursday with light wind. Afternoon onshore W/NW winds build 6-10 knots+.

LONG RANGE

NPAC: Things look very promising for the next 7-10 days. After the large swell for mid week we could see a smaller, but still very healthy, series of WNW swells (280-300) from the 24th-26th with the potential for well overhead waves at top breaks. Even further out, there is a chance at another solid NW swell (290-300) around the 28th-29th. We’ll have to see these storm actually happen in the next 3-5 days, but it looks like we’ll see plenty of surf through Christmas and potentially into the New Year. Stay tuned.


Maybe I should ask Santa for a new big wave gun for XMAS ;-)

 

[wetrat]

Looks like Blue Cavern is a great place to dive... however, it can be hard on the boat operator or the divers... I don't mind the swim, definitely worth it...

http://www.saintbrendan.com/cdnaug01/catlna8.html

Ouch! Just read that saintbrendan article - well, we'll see what conditions are and what the skipper thinks. Steve at Express Divers said they really try hard to find spots that provide something for everyone. Unanchored boat diving may be an option at Blue Caverns - my group may be the most inexperienced, and we've done that at the Coronados.

Riguerin, thanks for the conditions report. It will be an interesting week, eh?

John

 

[Rick Inman]

I enjoy a nice relaxing surface swim (sounds like Blue Cavern is just a warm up for Deadmans).

Can someone translate this wave report? Does this mean we have a chance of getting blown out completely on the shore dives, or just tough condisions?

And no, Wetrat, sitting on the beach watching the surf is not a happy day. However, it is the kind of day Priscilla dreams of.

And she can continue to dream. If OC blows out, you'll see me on the ferry early for some Casino shore diving.

 

[riguerin]

Rick,

Basically, it looks like the North Pacific's swell producing potential is kicking into high gear over the coming week. Starting with a monster system, our coast is going to light up with epic sized surf in the coming days. There's another system behind this that would hit around the weekend ... and yet a third system behind that one that would hit in the middle of next week ... during the days we're planning to dive.

We'll want to monitor this third system carefully, as some of the current models are projecting it to also be fairly strong. As far as what this means to the dive plans, it's still too early to tell. At a minimum it could mean some challenging and or less than ideal local shore diving conditions.


Here's a couple snap shots from the LOLA model. The first is for Wed 12/21 depicting systems 1 & 2. The other is for Fri 12/23 depicting systems 2 & 3.

 

[wetrat]

As far as what this means to the dive plans, it's still too early to tell.

Thanks for the thorough report Rick - this is the part I choose to hear right now!!

John

 

[HBDiveGirl]

Thanks for the thorough report Rick - this is the part I choose to hear right now!!

John

How about a nice soothing abdominal breath and some relaxation!

I checked Veteran's Park this afternoon. Surf was about 18 inches on glassy water. You just never really know. If it's that calm tomorrow afternoon, I'll be diving there Wednesday night.
(Last Thursday I saw the first clutches of squid eggs of the season, between 65 and 85fsw... very cool. Only one squid so far , and it was being consumed by a pink scorpion fish until our lights scared the begeezus out it... and the squid, too!! Poor thing gave us such a stink-eye as it refused to take back the coughed-up cephalopod. Sorry!!! Didn't mean it... we'll just slink away guiltily now...)

As for the boat dive on the 28th: If the conditions are manageable for the crossing, we'll get there and dive. NOBODY can give realistic odds right now, so what's the point in conjuring and imagining. We show up. If it's good, we go. If it isn't, we go to breakfast.

Beach diving? Same thing!

I REALLY like Rick Inman's idea:
Lousy Mainland Shore diving conditions? Hey, I'm going to Avalon! Nothing like the jet powered Catalina Express to take the roll out of a rough crossing.

Part of the magic of diving is being in the moment and making the best of what there is. Because, REALLY, no one ever KNOWS what's going to happen. And that's the way it should be. Don' Worry! Dive Happy if we can!

Think good thoughts about your local ocean
HBDive'Chica

 

[wetrat]

Part of the magic of diving is being in the moment and making the best of what there is.

OK, I'm relaxed. :happyjaz: Thank you Claudette!

 

[HBDiveGirl]

OK, I'm relaxed. :happyjaz: Thank you Claudette!

Ciao, Wetrat! I'm happy to be of service! Does the Island Time have nice chairs like that on the deck? And, of course, that must be sparkling WATER in that stemmed glass... You're diving!