Marineland Update. Conditions and Construction

[FrankPro1]

Interesting article in the Daily Breeze. Another delay.............
Hey guys, I have another question for you. Couple of co-workers were talking about diving in Laguna and one said to me to check out a place on 17th in San Pedro called Pacific Wilderness.
I'm a freediver mostly, but they said I could rent the package for scuba for $40/day and go with them (to Laguna). I can't afford my own reg, bc, fullsuit, tank at the moment, but sure would like to get a few dives in every few weeks.

Yep.. that's a good store. I got my certification there, as well as bought all my life support equipment from there. Their rental is equipment is old....but serviced properly. Anything you rent, make sure to test out first before you leave "ie: fill BCD; check for leaks, Breathe off both reg and octo". Best prices of any store locally.

 

[ligersandtions]

Holy Cannoli! Regardless of the resort opening, if the trail is complete shouldn't they allow public access? This is getting annoying. Any word from the higher ups about possible ETA's ?

I'm curious as well. This is getting a little ridiculous, imo. A beach is not private property, and thus, cannot be restricted (by law). We've all been patient with this closure, respecting their wishes and staying out of the way. But what happens if this place doesn't open for another year? We don't get to dive there for another year? Where do we draw the line and start demanding that we regain access? If the trail is complete, I don't see any reason why we should not be able to dive at one of the best sites in socal.

Interesting article in the Daily Breeze. Another delay.............
Hey guys, I have another question for you. Couple of co-workers were talking about diving in Laguna and one said to me to check out a place on 17th in San Pedro called Pacific Wilderness.
I'm a freediver mostly, but they said I could rent the package for scuba for $40/day and go with them (to Laguna). I can't afford my own reg, bc, fullsuit, tank at the moment, but sure would like to get a few dives in every few weeks.

Pacific Wilderness is a good store....nice people and a wide selection. However, if you're going to be diving in Laguna, you could consider some of the stores down in that area if it's more convenient for you. Laguna Sea Sports is also good. But if Pacific Wilderness is going to be your regular shop, by all means, support them! Welcome to your new addiction

 

[blue steal]

I think I'll ride my bike over to Pacific Wilderness Friday and check them out. I'm up for some scuba, but will need to rent a reg/bc/fullsuit. They have a good website and the rental prices are good for me. I am hoping the water warms up a bit, (60 at shaw's this am), so I can use my shortie/hood. (for freediving)
Searched CTC & HC. These sites look like great places depending on VIS/surf, but man that trail down looks rough. I might go hike these this weekend and report back.
My co-workers dive Laguna only and they only do a single tank dive. Not sure if this is the norm.
When I dove the Philippines in March 3 & 4 tank dives are the norm. Heck as long as I am renting the gear a second tank is only $8 more so two dives would make it a nice morning.

 

[FrankPro1]

I'm curious as well. This is getting a little ridiculous, imo. A beach is not private property, and thus, cannot be restricted (by law). We've all been patient with this closure, respecting their wishes and staying out of the way. But what happens if this place doesn't open for another year? We don't get to dive there for another year? Where do we draw the line and start demanding that we regain access? If the trail is complete, I don't see any reason why we should not be able to dive at one of the best sites in socal.

If this goes on much longer, maybe we should think about our options. Possibly getting enough of us together and showing up at a PV city council meeting, to voice our concerns would do the trick. Or again getting together and showing up at one of the Terranea offices. I know that ponying up and forming a posse is a bit aggressive, but how much farther are we going to let this go.

Searched CTC & HC. These sites look like great places depending on VIS/surf, but man that trail down looks rough. I might go hike these this weekend and report back.

When looking from the top, the trail can be intimating, but take your time down and you'll be fine. I dreaded doing Christmas Tree in scuba gear, after having free dove it for a long time, but it really is quite doable. Slow steps and making sure you have proper footing is key.

Also make sure to dive CTC at high tide, entry to the water can be extremely difficult during low tide in scuba gear.

 

[ligersandtions]

If this goes on much longer, maybe we should think about our options. Possibly getting enough of us together and showing up at a PV city council meeting, to voice our concerns would do the trick. Or again getting together and showing up at one of the Terranea offices. I know that ponying up and forming a posse is a bit aggressive, but how much farther are we going to let this go.

I agree. Some of the divers up in Washington had a dive site closed by the city....they got a large group of divers together and attended city council meetings. The closure was reversed and now they are planning on making diving a big part of that city.

I'm sure getting a group of divers together, to discuss (in a civilized manner) why we think the trail to the Marineland dive site should be open to the public even if the resort is not, would not be too difficult a task. I think as long as they don't have any major hazards (like open drainage ditches), they would probably be receptive to our requests.

I'm curious if they have an estimated re-open date for beach access to the general public. The article didn't say anything about that specifically. Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a molehill. Anyone have any further information???

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I have attended one meeting, as did Claudette. Divebum Don has attended several and is our liason with Terranea. It is because of Don that we had as much access as we have enjoyed over the past two years.
The foot bridge has still not been built over the drainage ditch, the rocks have been scraped from the wall adjacent to the lower trail, but not much else has been done at the lower property for a few weeks. I stopped by an hour ago and saw the progress, or lack thereof.

 

[ligersandtions]

Do you think it would be worth it to try to get a group together and go to one of the next meetings so we can regain access? I know they're running low/out of money, but it is still supposed to be a public beach....but right now the public does not have access. Just trying to figure out a way we can get back to diving one of the great local sites.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

They did this once before. The first 30-day closure lasted over 90 days. I talked to Don last week and he said they were waiting for materials to come in for the foot bridge. Maybe we'll get back in sooner than we think.
The conditions were horrible there this afternoon, so we wouldn't be diving it this weekend anyway. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, as I'm getting a little tired of Vet's again.

 

[ligersandtions]

haha, I know the feeling....I'm going out to Vet's for two dives tomorrow (one training, one fun) and possibly two dives the next day (taking new divers out). The conditions haven't been stellar for a while so I know diving Marineland would probably have been out anyways....but it's always nice to have as an option!

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Even Vet's is pretty sloppy right now.
Redondo Beach