Labor Day crowds on Catalina?

[slingshot]

I've only been diving on Catalina in the "off-season" (November) in my adult life, and was wondering how crowded the dive spots would be over labor day, for those who've been around on a summer holiday weekend. I've been told to expect 400 divers in the dive park, for example. Can I expect to get there late on Saturday and have gear to rent? Catalina Divers I know doesn't take reservations for gear, and I don't know about ScubaLuv. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[drbill]

This has been a strange summer in Avalon and in the dive park. I remember only one weekend that was really busy (but I wasn't here for 4th of July). Numbers have been down and the dive park has jad much lower traffic even on weekends.

I am assuming Labor Day will be busy, but I'm just not seeing the divers coming over like they used to. It's been quite a while since we had 400 divers in the Park (last summer).

I might add that vis in the park was an awesome 60-70 ft last Sunday by my third dive. Haven't been in the park since, but it was equal to that at Italian Gardens Tuesday.

 

[paulpizmo]

I was a little worried about that too. My friends and I are going there on tuesday - thursday just for that reason. I called the Hermosa and they were wide open for rooms statrting tuesday. Great! Call the dive shop and see if you can reserve any equipment ahead of time to lock ru self in.

Does any know how bad the wind chop is on the back side lately?? I'd like to go to Farnsworth but I heard that it's been rough over the past few days??

 

[drbill]

Wind chop was actually significant on the leeward side the other day. We've had winds (and currents) kicking up on a regular basis. I'm hopeful that the spillover from Katrina doesn't impact us too much this weekend. The water has been warm and clear the past few days.

 

[slingshot]

Thanks Dr. Bill, knew you'd come through with the info.
Have fun with your squadron of boats Paul.

 

[BrianS]

I have a 5 day weekend that week, I may head over too.

 

[paulpizmo]

I have a 5 day weekend that week, I may head over too.

Let me knoe if you'll be there on Tuesday around 11 - 12. We're hoping to do a few dives on the south west side. If ur in Avalon let me know and we'll pick u up. I'm getting a few in n out's (i'm in, i'm out) if u know what I mean. But we sould have room. I think I'll have room for 2 extra there in Avalon. Maybe more on the other boats.

 

[BrianS]

I'm off the 2-6th for the holiday weekend.

 

[drbill]

Oops, not Katrina- that's the storm that's bugging my Mom in Florida. Can't conjure up the name of the one off Baja, but who cares.

If someone will remind me via PM, I'll try to post on conditions closer to the holiday.

 

[paulpizmo]

Oops, not Katrina- that's the storm that's bugging my Mom in Florida. Can't conjure up the name of the one off Baja, but who cares.

If someone will remind me via PM, I'll try to post on conditions closer to the holiday.

I think it's Hilary, but the sat photo looks like 2 - 3 more storms in the bull pen. But thanks for the weather update. I just hoping for a couple a nice days. Even if we only get to dive in the mornings. Last time I was out it was like glass in the channel. I was thinking about wakeboarding across. Would that be a record or something?? Hopefully everything will washout by then.