dpbishop
Contributor
That's OK. I saw grey whale surface about 50 yards past Headhunter on the swim back in. I'll swim a mile for that anytime.
JANUARY 2006 Dive Reports
- Thread starter pasley
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veek
Registered
Date: 1/17/06
Dive Location: Target Rock, Morro Bay
Buddy(ies): slofrog, aenokea
Time: 0933, 1102
Bottom Time: 53 min, 34 min
Max Depth: 21 ft, 24 ft
Vis: 5 - 10 ft
Wave height: zero!
Temp at depth: 53 deg F
Surface Temp: 55 deg F
Tide information: before high tide
Comments: I had a beautiful drive up to Morro Bay and out to Morro Rock. slofrog recommended this dive site on the harbor side (Target Rock) as it is well-protected from surf (no surge!). Entry was down a small rocky slope. Two otters were hanging out in the kelp. We explored the rocky, silty bottom, amongst kelp and eel grass, finding a lot of clam shells, anemone and rockfish. I managed to lose my snorkel without noticing until after the first dive, but somehow slofrog found it at the end of the second dive!
Dive Location: Target Rock, Morro Bay
Buddy(ies): slofrog, aenokea
Time: 0933, 1102
Bottom Time: 53 min, 34 min
Max Depth: 21 ft, 24 ft
Vis: 5 - 10 ft
Wave height: zero!
Temp at depth: 53 deg F
Surface Temp: 55 deg F
Tide information: before high tide
Comments: I had a beautiful drive up to Morro Bay and out to Morro Rock. slofrog recommended this dive site on the harbor side (Target Rock) as it is well-protected from surf (no surge!). Entry was down a small rocky slope. Two otters were hanging out in the kelp. We explored the rocky, silty bottom, amongst kelp and eel grass, finding a lot of clam shells, anemone and rockfish. I managed to lose my snorkel without noticing until after the first dive, but somehow slofrog found it at the end of the second dive!
Haven't been able to chip the ice off the water surface at the Casino Point Dive Park lately. Heard a report of 51 F bottom temp from an instructor last Sunday. Appears to be back up to 56 F now.
Grey_Wulff
Contributor
Date: 01/20/06
Dive Location: Main Wall, La Jolla Shores
Time: 6:57pm
Bottom Time: 25 mins
Max Depth: 65ft
Vis: 5-10ft plus
Wave height: 2 - 3ft sets
Temp at depth: 57F
Tide information: real low
Gas mix: 21%
Comments:
We ventured down to the Shores last night hopeful to find squid. Even though it was a really low tide it seemed a long swim out. We eventually dropped just short of the wall using a portable depth finder to put us right on the mark. Particles were suspended throughout the water column, visibility turned out to be a close 5 - 10ft. As soon as we hit 50ft the squid showed up. Not in huge numbers but we constantly had between ten to twenty individuals in the beams of our dive lights. With little visibility we knew finding the wall would be difficult so we just finned slowly north following a sixty foot contour. With time we found increasing numbers of squid eggs and the sand was littered with dead squid. Those squid in our dive lights occassionally embraced but most moved slowly, looking tired and sick. When we switched off our lights, it was pitch black. None of the squid were flashing their body colors.
As we proceeded further north we had to cut the dive short due to equipment issues. We turned for the shallows and the squid followed us in until thirty or so feet. I felt like the pied piper!
As we left the water we spoke to another group of divers preparing to go in. They reported the SDPD were patrolling the car park area. Thanks guys!
Grey Wulff
Dive Location: Main Wall, La Jolla Shores
Time: 6:57pm
Bottom Time: 25 mins
Max Depth: 65ft
Vis: 5-10ft plus
Wave height: 2 - 3ft sets
Temp at depth: 57F
Tide information: real low
Gas mix: 21%
Comments:
We ventured down to the Shores last night hopeful to find squid. Even though it was a really low tide it seemed a long swim out. We eventually dropped just short of the wall using a portable depth finder to put us right on the mark. Particles were suspended throughout the water column, visibility turned out to be a close 5 - 10ft. As soon as we hit 50ft the squid showed up. Not in huge numbers but we constantly had between ten to twenty individuals in the beams of our dive lights. With little visibility we knew finding the wall would be difficult so we just finned slowly north following a sixty foot contour. With time we found increasing numbers of squid eggs and the sand was littered with dead squid. Those squid in our dive lights occassionally embraced but most moved slowly, looking tired and sick. When we switched off our lights, it was pitch black. None of the squid were flashing their body colors.
As we proceeded further north we had to cut the dive short due to equipment issues. We turned for the shallows and the squid followed us in until thirty or so feet. I felt like the pied piper!
As we left the water we spoke to another group of divers preparing to go in. They reported the SDPD were patrolling the car park area. Thanks guys!
Grey Wulff
Date: January 21, 2006
Dive Location: Marineland
Buddy(ies): HilaryRN71
Time: 12:27
Bottom Time: :32
Max Depth: 46'
Vis: 10'
Wave height: 2-4'
Temp at depth: 52F
Comments:I finally got to dive with HilaryRN71 and had a blast. The conditions were not the best, but with the weather we've had this year, any time I can get in the water is good for me. Hilary, using her beginner's luck found two Hopkin's Rose nudibranchs together.
I found a large Sheepcrab, two octopus and a friendly little lobster, so at least Hilary got to experience a little of what Marineland has to offer. Unfortunately, she got to experience something else it offers...rocky exits in high surf. We did our Two Stooges routine just a foot away from dry land. It was so close I could taste it. I almost did when a wave slammed me forward.
No harm, no foul. We made it back up the hill without needing a paramedic. We're making a couple wreck dives tomorrow, so our exits should be a little more graceful.
Dive Location: Marineland
Buddy(ies): HilaryRN71
Time: 12:27
Bottom Time: :32
Max Depth: 46'
Vis: 10'
Wave height: 2-4'
Temp at depth: 52F
Comments:I finally got to dive with HilaryRN71 and had a blast. The conditions were not the best, but with the weather we've had this year, any time I can get in the water is good for me. Hilary, using her beginner's luck found two Hopkin's Rose nudibranchs together.
I found a large Sheepcrab, two octopus and a friendly little lobster, so at least Hilary got to experience a little of what Marineland has to offer. Unfortunately, she got to experience something else it offers...rocky exits in high surf. We did our Two Stooges routine just a foot away from dry land. It was so close I could taste it. I almost did when a wave slammed me forward.
No harm, no foul. We made it back up the hill without needing a paramedic. We're making a couple wreck dives tomorrow, so our exits should be a little more graceful.
Well we tried to find the tower but still managed a good dive. Tyler is posting the report. Here are the images.
Thanks for a good dive in awesome blue water Tyler and Steve.
All 12 pictures are here: http://www.scubapost.net/forums/Scorpionfish/01212006/
Tyler lays the line...
...and still more line...
Following the bread crumbs back to the anchor
Twisted Piling
The long cold Deco
View from above
View from below
Thanks for a good dive in awesome blue water Tyler and Steve.
All 12 pictures are here: http://www.scubapost.net/forums/Scorpionfish/01212006/
Tyler lays the line...
...and still more line...
Following the bread crumbs back to the anchor
Twisted Piling
The long cold Deco
View from above
View from below
wetrat
Contributor
Great pictures of California Diver in his element!
Date: January 21, 2006
Dive Location: Deer Creek, Ventura County
Buddy(ies): Josh, Kevin, Mark, and Adam
Time: 7:20am, 9:00am
Bottom Time: 24min 1st, 30min 2nd
Depth: 28', 30'
Vis: 4'-10' at the most
Wave height: 2-4'
Temp at depth: 51F
Well, we showed up at 6:30am as planned. It was still dark and looking down at the water, it looked pretty ruff. As the sun came up and everyone showed up, it calmed down a bit. We were going to go over to Sequit Point, at Leo, instead, so Josh and Mark went to check it out. They said it was a little better. Well, we decided just to dive at Deer Creek. All five of us headed out thru the surf. Adam made a call to not do this dive, due to new equipment and not feeling comfortable. Good call Adam! Well, it was down to 4 of us. We buddied up in pairs. Down we went. Vis was 4' at the most. Josh and I stayed together. We saw a horned shark, and a couple of various bass, I think. It was hard to make out anything. Reminded me of the old days in the mud holes of Colorado. The deeper we went out the more the vis was mucked up. So, after a short 24 min we surfaced and battled the surf to get back on shore. That is where I lost my mask. If anyone finds it, you can keep it! I was planning on getting a new one anyway. Time to break out the back up.
For those of you that have been to Deer Creek, it has changed, in a big way! The wave systems that have been rolling in is responsible. The kelp is almost all gone. There are 2-3 strands in a spot every once in a while. The entry is wild. when you come down the stairs, the last one is a killer. It is about a 2' step down and no more sand. You step into ankle breaker sized rocks. No more sand on the beach. When you enter, you have rocks out for a ways, then a trench about waist high, then a shallow sand bar back up to thigh level. The sand bar is good for putting on your fins. But, watch the waves.
Dive #2- Josh had to go to his Nitrox class, so Kevin, Mark, Adam, and I did the second dive. Adam seen we were having so much fun,
he went in for the second dive. Our plans were to all stay together. Needless to say, Kevin and I looked for Adam and Mark for a few, then went on our way. We didn't see anything! So, we called the dive short, after 30min. When we surfaced, we were strait out from the stairs. so we decended again to swim back to shore. My back up mask didn't want to go back down. I equilized my ears and did the same with my mask. It is quite old so I think the silicon around the nose pocket is hard, or something. When I equilized it I had a tremendous pain in lower sinus cavities. Upon surfacing, I took off the mask and the pin was gone. Looks like I am buying 2 masks
Well, my thoughts on this day is better to dive, get wet, and not see anything, than to dry up and jones for another week. Besides the company is always great!
:monkeydan :fruit:
:jump013:
Dive Location: Deer Creek, Ventura County
Buddy(ies): Josh, Kevin, Mark, and Adam
Time: 7:20am, 9:00am
Bottom Time: 24min 1st, 30min 2nd
Depth: 28', 30'
Vis: 4'-10' at the most
Wave height: 2-4'
Temp at depth: 51F
Well, we showed up at 6:30am as planned. It was still dark and looking down at the water, it looked pretty ruff. As the sun came up and everyone showed up, it calmed down a bit. We were going to go over to Sequit Point, at Leo, instead, so Josh and Mark went to check it out. They said it was a little better. Well, we decided just to dive at Deer Creek. All five of us headed out thru the surf. Adam made a call to not do this dive, due to new equipment and not feeling comfortable. Good call Adam! Well, it was down to 4 of us. We buddied up in pairs. Down we went. Vis was 4' at the most. Josh and I stayed together. We saw a horned shark, and a couple of various bass, I think. It was hard to make out anything. Reminded me of the old days in the mud holes of Colorado. The deeper we went out the more the vis was mucked up. So, after a short 24 min we surfaced and battled the surf to get back on shore. That is where I lost my mask. If anyone finds it, you can keep it! I was planning on getting a new one anyway. Time to break out the back up.
For those of you that have been to Deer Creek, it has changed, in a big way! The wave systems that have been rolling in is responsible. The kelp is almost all gone. There are 2-3 strands in a spot every once in a while. The entry is wild. when you come down the stairs, the last one is a killer. It is about a 2' step down and no more sand. You step into ankle breaker sized rocks. No more sand on the beach. When you enter, you have rocks out for a ways, then a trench about waist high, then a shallow sand bar back up to thigh level. The sand bar is good for putting on your fins. But, watch the waves.
Dive #2- Josh had to go to his Nitrox class, so Kevin, Mark, Adam, and I did the second dive. Adam seen we were having so much fun,
he went in for the second dive. Our plans were to all stay together. Needless to say, Kevin and I looked for Adam and Mark for a few, then went on our way. We didn't see anything! So, we called the dive short, after 30min. When we surfaced, we were strait out from the stairs. so we decended again to swim back to shore. My back up mask didn't want to go back down. I equilized my ears and did the same with my mask. It is quite old so I think the silicon around the nose pocket is hard, or something. When I equilized it I had a tremendous pain in lower sinus cavities. Upon surfacing, I took off the mask and the pin was gone. Looks like I am buying 2 masks Well, my thoughts on this day is better to dive, get wet, and not see anything, than to dry up and jones for another week. Besides the company is always great!
:monkeydan :fruit:
:jump013:
wetrat
Contributor
Rickster:
So true - thanks for the report Rickster!
mccabejc
Contributor
Date: Jan 21, 2006
Dive Location: Catalina Casino
Time: 8:55 am
Bottom Time: 47:50
Max Depth: 78 ft
Vis: 20-30 ft.
Wave height: choppy, small wind swell
Temp at depth: 57 degrees Suunto
Surface Temp: 59 air, 57 water
Tide Information: I forgot to look...
Date: Jan 21, 2006
Dive Location: Catalina Casino
Time: 11:47 am
Bottom Time: 51:20
Max Depth: 66 ft
Vis: 20-30 ft.
Wave height: choppy, small wind swell
Temp at depth: 57 degrees Suunto
Surface Temp: 64 air, 57 water
Tide Information: Dunno...
Met up with ADP buddy Dana on the 6:15am ferry. Beautiful sunrise and very calm ride over to Avalon. We hadn’t seen each other since the class and had a wonderful conversation the entire trip, and before we knew it we were pulling into the dock. The weather was Santa Ana clear and sunny. Paid our $8 each to the baggage guy to shlep our stuff over to the point, then walked thru town over to the Casino. Recognized some South Coast Divers, and there were also a few ever-present OW classes in the park. ADP buddy Kevin was waiting for us after a night at the Hermosa, and right after getting a tank at the trailer we quickly started gearing up. He showed me his new “bug boy” mask, the kind that works in conjunction with special eye contacts to return your UW field of view to what it is on the surface. Pretty cool. Except now he’s “bug boy”. There was a pretty steady chilly wind from the north, probably 20-30 mph, and the water had some wind swell and chop. We entered and headed straight out from the stairs, dropped down at the glass bottom boat buoy, then followed the line on the bottom to the Sujac, where Kevin wanted to drop to around 100ft. and see how long it would take to drain his pony bottle. I hung out around the Sujac for a few minutes doing some sightseeing while Dana and Kevin dropped down to the sand to do his pony exercise. We then headed back along the reef, past the stairs over to the sand on the Descanso side, then turned around and made our ascent.
After a 2 hour surface interval during which I had a nice discussion with the great Dr. Bill (sporting his shiny new wetsuit), and let out some “holy cow”s when we saw a girl jump in the freezing cold water to do some snorkeling, wearing just a bikini, we decided to check out the swim platform, then head over to the glass bottom boat. Viz had deteriorated a bit on the second dive, as usual, due to the OW classes. After looking around the platform and wrecks, we headed back towards my favorite area of the park, and weaved our way thru the wonderful cliffs and structures and kelp along the breakwater.
During the dives we saw a large, bright lime green/yellow kelpfish, hanging vertically next to some kelp strands, and I can’t recall ever seeing such a beautiful kelpfish. I think he was trying to blend in and be inconspicuous, but he was sticking out like a flashing caution light. There were a gazillion blacksmith out on both dives, a couple kajillion kelp bass, and maybe 60 bazillion blue banded gobys whereever you looked. We also saw an 8 inch C-O sole in the sandy area. One of my favorite sights in the park is rolling over on my back and looking up at the streams of sunlight streaming thru the kelp, and watching my bubbles float up to the sunny blue surface, so I did a lot of that. We also saw a large Oscar-looking sheephead, though after discussing with Dr. Bill we decided it probably was one of the smaller Oscars, since big Oscar hasn’t been around much lately.
We ended our second dive around 12:45, and quickly packed up since Dana and I were catching the 2:05 out of town. The trip back was wonderful, as we sat in a nearly empty ferry (maybe 20-30 people total) and talked all the way back with the sun streaming in the window and warming us up. Nice.....
Anyway, it was a wonderful couple of dives, after what I just realized after checking my logs was almost two months of being dry. YIKES !! And it was great to see my ADP buddies again.
Dive Location: Catalina Casino
Time: 8:55 am
Bottom Time: 47:50
Max Depth: 78 ft
Vis: 20-30 ft.
Wave height: choppy, small wind swell
Temp at depth: 57 degrees Suunto
Surface Temp: 59 air, 57 water
Tide Information: I forgot to look...
Date: Jan 21, 2006
Dive Location: Catalina Casino
Time: 11:47 am
Bottom Time: 51:20
Max Depth: 66 ft
Vis: 20-30 ft.
Wave height: choppy, small wind swell
Temp at depth: 57 degrees Suunto
Surface Temp: 64 air, 57 water
Tide Information: Dunno...
Met up with ADP buddy Dana on the 6:15am ferry. Beautiful sunrise and very calm ride over to Avalon. We hadn’t seen each other since the class and had a wonderful conversation the entire trip, and before we knew it we were pulling into the dock. The weather was Santa Ana clear and sunny. Paid our $8 each to the baggage guy to shlep our stuff over to the point, then walked thru town over to the Casino. Recognized some South Coast Divers, and there were also a few ever-present OW classes in the park. ADP buddy Kevin was waiting for us after a night at the Hermosa, and right after getting a tank at the trailer we quickly started gearing up. He showed me his new “bug boy” mask, the kind that works in conjunction with special eye contacts to return your UW field of view to what it is on the surface. Pretty cool. Except now he’s “bug boy”.
There was a pretty steady chilly wind from the north, probably 20-30 mph, and the water had some wind swell and chop. We entered and headed straight out from the stairs, dropped down at the glass bottom boat buoy, then followed the line on the bottom to the Sujac, where Kevin wanted to drop to around 100ft. and see how long it would take to drain his pony bottle. I hung out around the Sujac for a few minutes doing some sightseeing while Dana and Kevin dropped down to the sand to do his pony exercise. We then headed back along the reef, past the stairs over to the sand on the Descanso side, then turned around and made our ascent.After a 2 hour surface interval during which I had a nice discussion with the great Dr. Bill (sporting his shiny new wetsuit), and let out some “holy cow”s when we saw a girl jump in the freezing cold water to do some snorkeling, wearing just a bikini, we decided to check out the swim platform, then head over to the glass bottom boat. Viz had deteriorated a bit on the second dive, as usual, due to the OW classes. After looking around the platform and wrecks, we headed back towards my favorite area of the park, and weaved our way thru the wonderful cliffs and structures and kelp along the breakwater.
During the dives we saw a large, bright lime green/yellow kelpfish, hanging vertically next to some kelp strands, and I can’t recall ever seeing such a beautiful kelpfish. I think he was trying to blend in and be inconspicuous, but he was sticking out like a flashing caution light. There were a gazillion blacksmith out on both dives, a couple kajillion kelp bass, and maybe 60 bazillion blue banded gobys whereever you looked. We also saw an 8 inch C-O sole in the sandy area. One of my favorite sights in the park is rolling over on my back and looking up at the streams of sunlight streaming thru the kelp, and watching my bubbles float up to the sunny blue surface, so I did a lot of that. We also saw a large Oscar-looking sheephead, though after discussing with Dr. Bill we decided it probably was one of the smaller Oscars, since big Oscar hasn’t been around much lately.
We ended our second dive around 12:45, and quickly packed up since Dana and I were catching the 2:05 out of town. The trip back was wonderful, as we sat in a nearly empty ferry (maybe 20-30 people total) and talked all the way back with the sun streaming in the window and warming us up. Nice.....
Anyway, it was a wonderful couple of dives, after what I just realized after checking my logs was almost two months of being dry. YIKES !! And it was great to see my ADP buddies again.
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