First Dive of the Year: Snorkeling Lover's Point!

[DocWong]

I was planning on starting the New Year with a dive off Dave's boat, but my son expressed interest in snorkeling in Monterey. I would love him to learn how to dive, but thus far he has shown no interest, so when he said that he wanted snorkel, I went for it.

We got down to Bamboo Reef and rented wetsuits for the both of us. A wetsuit, what's that? I haven't dived in a wetsuit in Monterey in ages. We get to Lover's Point and it's calm as a lake and I can see the bottom from above. What ideal conditions to introduce my son to Monterey!

So we get in, I teach him how to use a snorkel and off we go. He loved it. We stayed pretty shallow, 20' deepest. He saw starfish, hermit crabs, kelp crabs, snails and Harbor seals underwater. It was quite a treat, watching him enjoy such a simple dive.. Being involved in so much other diving, I forgot how enjoyable such a simple dive can be! I forgot how nice Lover's is as a dive site. I usually don't see the type of life including the lichen and the sea grasses and such when compared to deeper water dives.

Here's to wishing everyone a better 2008!

All dives are fun, some are just more "entertaining" ;-)
Live Long, play hard, be safe, deco, don't push the tables and do deep stops!

 

[mobeeno]

Nice Story and Happy 2008 to you and all too

 

[mikeguerrero]

Doc,

I'm glad you dove Lover's and compared it to your other deeper dives that you mainly do. I've been following your videos for some time and your deep dives are incredible but they do lack the characteristics of Lover's shallow waters.

You and your son dove deeper than me on my first dive as I only went to 18 feet, I was by myself and will never do another solo dive.

I have some video of the shallows at Lover's and if you don't mind I'll place a quick scene here on your thread.

MG

 

[TSandM]

I often find great critters in the shallows, while hanging out doing minimum deco. No dive is over until it's over, and one should never think a dive won't be rewarding just because it's shallow!

Glad your son had a good time. Next you point out that it's even MORE fun if you can go down where the animals ARE

 

[zen_man]

I'm so happy to hear you both had a good time Doc! I remember you discussing this somewhere else.

How old is he?

My Son is 10 and he is just bent on wanting to go diving, but I have some serious reservations and would like for him to get a little older and more experienced in life. But, that's just me.

:zen:

 

[DocWong]

Doc,

I'm glad you dove Lover's and compared it to your other deeper dives that you mainly do. I've been following your videos for some time and your deep dives are incredible but they do lack the characteristics of Lover's shallow waters.

You and your son dove deeper than me on my first dive as I only went to 18 feet, I was by myself and will never do another solo dive.

I have some video of the shallows at Lover's and if you don't mind I'll place a quick scene here on your thread.

MG

Great, please post your videos of Lover's!

 

[DocWong]

I'm so happy to hear you both had a good time Doc! I remember you discussing this somewhere else.

How old is he?

My Son is 10 and he is just bent on wanting to go diving, but I have some serious reservations and would like for him to get a little older and more experienced in life. But, that's just me.

:zen:

He's 20 and a good swimmer. Unlike your son that's eager to do diving, my son hasn't shown much interest so far. For you son, I'd say take him snorkeling at Lover's! Sounds to me you have the making for a great buddy!

 

[DocWong]

I often find great critters in the shallows, while hanging out doing minimum deco. No dive is over until it's over, and one should never think a dive won't be rewarding just because it's shallow!

Glad your son had a good time. Next you point out that it's even MORE fun if you can go down where the animals ARE

Yep! Hopefully that will be a next step. Next time I'll take my video camera and get some footage of Lover's!

 

[sarita75]

So do you think that your son took the bait??

 

[DocWong]

Don't know. Kids these days, all they want to do is work and study. ;-)

I wish I was my kid!