DWADD 2011 Thursday, June 2nd

[blue steal]

It was a good day. Weather was nice, a bit breezy in the afternoon. Trip over on the express was smooth, no problems at all with weight.
Took taxi over from terminal to point and that was quick, but used the luggage service on the way back, price is $6 one way or $8 RT. Next time will use the RT.
Lockers at the point were out of commission and I was a bit apprehensive about leaving all our gears around, but it was fine, no problems there.
Restrooms are fairly close by as is the fill station. they are $7 a fill and got my HP100 to 3500.
entry & exit is about as easy as they come with stairs right into the water.
The group was great, good fun and great to dive with everyone. Dr. Bill was our unofficial "tour" guide of the park and we saw a few wrecks, plus lots of critters.
Felt bad for Elena as her rented tank had a valve leak and could not do the first dive. Man I would be pissed about that.
Pete got 2 great dives and he really enjoyed the kelp.
I think LeeAnne enjoyed herself the most as it was her first dive after a back surgery a few months previous.
Most of us did 2 dives, mine being 44 & 46 minutes with the water temp at depth 57-59. VIS is a guess, but pretty good overall. There was at one point when the VIS went to zero. I went right to the bottom and moved in as close as possible to the others so as to prevent being seperated. It turned out to be bat rays stirring things up.
All in all I think everyone had a good time, I certainly did and it was my first time to dive the park. I know I will be back a few more times this year.
Trip back was a full "express" and just a bit bumpy as the winds were up and the seas had the whitecaps.

 

[Teamcasa]

Sorry for the late report but I had to pay the price (at work) for ditching yesterday.
We had a great time! Although Marian had to settle for just dinner and skip the dive.
The conditions for the first dive were good, we paid a visit to the SueJac and her inhabititants and took our time returning back through the kelp and arriving at the bouys for a little off gassing.

As NetDoc's buddy and guide, Dr. Bill wait's for no one , we took our time and I let Pete snap 10,000 pictures while I tried to get Marian's camera to take one decent one (I failed). All in all, being Pete's buddy was easy and fun. Although the exit was pretty easy, average tide but surgy, we all got out and had our bottles filled.

The second dive, to the old swim platform via the little boats was smooth and uneventful. The vis crashed and despite what others say, I blame Dr.Bill. The say it was the flock of bat rays which many people say they witnessed but being directly behind Bill, I know better... (j/K)

I do feel bad that some showed up after I handed out the fabulous door prizes which included two new cars, a two week vacation to Hawaii and several complete dive gear packages, but you know what they say, snooze, you loose.

Sharkys Eco Dive in LaVerne Di in fact donate a nice polo shirt and hat and I had a few Whites Dry suit t-shirts left over from the demo days to give away.

Dinner with Rich, Pete, Elena and her aunt was a pleasure for Marian and I. I want to tank everybody that showed up for a great time! Let's do it again next year!

 

[mselenaous]

Finally got to use the laptop after Netdoc went to sleep.

DWADD - fun times with fun folks. Gathering with old friends: Dr.Bill, Teamcasa, rgiles and New friends: bluesteel, leeann and even a couple of my former students: Andrew and Paul. Most of us were on the early express chitchatting. We headed out to the SueJack for our first dive. Rich’s quick DM eyes then upclose inspection noticed upon descent my tank valve spewing from the valve stem, so we surfaced and I returned to shore. Yeah, I was a bit peeved to have missed Netdoc’s first Kelp forrest dive, but I got another tank and prepped for the next dive. Got to admit I’ve been missing the kelp forrests and enjoyed dive 2 despite the low vis though I’m feeling a bit out of practice with all the extra cold water gear. The Scubaboard camaraderie was alive and in full force at DWADD. Post activities dinner at Gladstones was fun and so glad HisLovelyBride (Marian) was able to join us.

Maybe next year, DWADD could be a mainland based activity so more folks can join in.