Dive Report - Breakwater - 10 Oct 09

[Ben_ca]

...nah.. you just be friendly and chit chat with the divers next to you... next thing you know it you'll be the mayor of the Breakwater... Like Jim

 

[fisheater]

Ah! That sucks. Next time we SBer's need to post our plans.

How was your class?

At least it was great surface conditions

The class went well. It's the first that I was able to DM for both days. So, I go to see the magical transformation from a bunch of people wearing scuba gear walking into ocean for OW1 to a group of divers walking out of the ocean at end of OW4. 6 of 7 made the transition. (One got too cold and quit on Saturday.)

Surface conditions were great and we even got to see two otters get busy making new otters on our swim out for OW3 on Sunday. They "do it" on the surface and give quite the show. (Now I know where the term "beast with two backs" comes from.)

Vis was so bad on Saturday that the students thought Sunday's vis was pretty good! We actually managed to get tours done, including a visit by a sea lion. It was great seeing them get turned on to local diving.

Also, the instructor allowed me to teach the nav portion on my own. Even in that bad vis, each student nailed their recipricols! Whew.

 

[pacificgal]

That's pretty cool. On Sunday I saw my old OW instructor coming out of the surf and across the sand with one rig on his back, and two more he was carrying, looking pretty ticked off, so much so that when I tried to joke with him about it I got the look of death. Students were up on the stairs waiting for him to carry their gear to him. Makes me wonder what happened on OW 1 & 2, you would have thought it would have gotten easier by day 2.

 

[fofo]

Hey, Ben_ca, good putting a face to the nickname. I was close to you when you were getting ready (those are my fins and hood in your pics). Next time I'll stop and say hi!

 

[Ben_ca]

Hey, Ben_ca, good putting a face to the nickname. I was close to you when you were getting ready (those are my fins and hood in your pics). Next time I'll stop and say hi!

BP&W, black DUI, with wrist slates, survey gear... diving with Guy right?

 

[bbianchi]

All I gotta say are F' the nettles! Go back to where you came from!! heh.

My last dive here which was like a month and a half ago I got stung a few times too on the way back from the barge. Thankfully I had some nice San Diego wreck diving to help me forget about that.

 

[fofo]

BP&W, black DUI, with wrist slates, survey gear... diving with Guy right?

Yup, that was me!

We were surveying north of the big pipe, and we didn't see nettles for the whole dive. They could have been there, though! With that viz, we had to spread out to find some of the blocks that we were looking for. Guy lost his watch during that dive, and he went back to look for it later, but fortunately someone else found it (in about 3 ft of water) and he got it back -- but that ruined his plans for getting a new one, so maybe it'll "fall" again.

 

[Guy Alcala]

Yup, that was me!

We were surveying north of the big pipe, and we didn't see nettles for the whole dive. They could have been there, though! With that viz, we had to spread out to find some of the blocks that we were looking for. Guy lost his watch during that dive, and he went back to look for it later, but fortunately someone else found it (in about 3 ft of water) and he got it back -- but that ruined his plans for getting a new one, so maybe it'll "fall" again.

That, sir is an infamous suggestion! (he says, while hurriedly slipping a bookmark into the Leisure Pro catalog at the "Citizen" page before closing it). Actually, I did see a few nettles on that dive, and almost rear-ended one on the afternoon dive as I was cruising along intently scanning the bottom for the watch. Glanced up, saw the trail end of a bunch of tentacles a few inches directly in front of my face, and shied like a horse encountering a rattler:shocked2: Subsequently, I split my scanning the bottom and ahead about 50/50. Anyhoo, my thanks to Eric who found and returned the watch to me, as it has considerable sentimental value (it was a B-day present years ago) even if it doesn't keep the best time.

Guy

 

[kathydee]

Ben - I'll bring my wrench next week. We can do some drills. If you can dodge a wrench you can dodge a sea nettle!!!

Don, It was definitely nice meeting you, Kathy & Mike. Thanks for not snickering (in my face at least) when I was was geared up in my Christmas tree mode. Yes I know how ridiculous I look at times
matt

Matt, you didn't look ridiculous - I was too busy admiring your long hose and dry suit to notice the "christmas tree thing"? It was nice to meet you!

Ben I wish I had known you were there, I was there too, with fobturbo, and parked right next to Don and his class. Right next to Mike Mills, actually, who was next to Mike Guerrero, who was next to Don who was next to Kathydee. It was a SB party and we didn't know it!

Hi Pacificgal - it was great to finally meet you too! Look forward to diving together soon!

Rats. I missed my chance to introduce myself to you SBers. I was DMing an OW class there. Too bad we missed each other.

Hi Fisheater, Darn it would have been fun to say hi! Glad your class went well - Next time!

Speaking of which... We decided that Kathy needs to plan the next M&G

We decided? But yes I agree - we do need a scubaboard M&G - so many people I've never actually met!

 

[kathydee]

Ben -

Deffinately there are benefits to being towed BEHIND the scooter!

OUCH!!