Got in a dive before we needed a refresher course

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MaxBottomtime

Contributor
Scuba Instructor
Divemaster
Messages
10,598
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Location
Torrance, CA
# of dives
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Three weeks out of the water is too long. Despite the recent rains and wind, we decided to force the issue and look for diveable water. We motored around to White Point Rock but the current was ripping. Merry suggested the Marineland platform. By now I didn't have much hope of getting in a dive, but we had a day of surprises ahead.
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The water was calm at Marineland and the top fifty feet was clear. I could easily see twenty-five feet down the line as we descended. The visibility closed in to ten feet as we neared the platform, but that is usually enough for macro photography. I tried out a different setting on my camera today, so none of the nudibranchs came out. I can hear Patrick Smith cheering as I type.
Schools of mackerel raced by as a sea lion chased after them. I tried for some wide angle shots, but these were the best I could get.
The platform was a floating dock similar to the ones used by fuel docks.
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As we headed home, a Gray Whale surfaced about fifty feet in front of us. He dived and surfaced three times, all in the same area. I guess he really enjoys the reefs here as much as I do.
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Merry shot video of the whale...
 
As soon as I came past Trump's and saw how flat it was at Marineland, I knew you and Merry would be out and about enjoying it. I haven't seen it that nice on the south side since the tail end of November. If the time was a bit earlier I would have rushed home to get the gear for a solo dive but I was too late :( That's what I get for not watching the swell forecast.

What new settings did you try out on the camera? I like the shots that came out though. The second barnacle shot is very crisp. Nothing like a Whale at Whale Rock to complete a day on the water. Your starting the New Year off right!
 
Love the barnacle shots.

I had thought of diving New Year's Day, but the thought of chipping the ice off my wetsuit after IO resurfaced reminded me too much of growing up with Chicago winters. At least I got two dives in last Monday.
 

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