blewgrass
Contributor
Before you decide to abort the dive? Do you have a minimum in terms of swell, visibility, and surge? Do you have a minimum of visibility only?
I am mainly referring to Monterey area for this question. On the North Coast, shore dive locations with very few exceptions do not have the facilities or protection that Monterey area locations have.
I also realize that skill level may play into this question. I found myself today in a situation that seemed suited to much more advanced divers and I will not dive in the future in those conditions until I reach a more advanced level. I also had changed my weight distribution and trim, which in retrospect is a bad idea during challenging conditions.
I did reach the bottom of Fort Ross Cove (North, which is the most protected) to 22 feet and could barely see my fins, putting the vis at 5-6 feet. The extra weight added to my tank made me back heavy (10 lbs on tank, 20 in zeagle ranger bc pockets). At surface, conditions seemed fairly calm, but at 22 feet with large rocks on the bottom, the surge felt much stronger. Much to the disappointment of my buddy, I gave the abort call and we headed in. I was surprised at how nasty the surf was in the protected cove once near the waters edge, whereas on the cliff, it seemed quite inviting. I take away many lessons from this experience most of which is an increased respect for the ocean.
I am mainly referring to Monterey area for this question. On the North Coast, shore dive locations with very few exceptions do not have the facilities or protection that Monterey area locations have.
I also realize that skill level may play into this question. I found myself today in a situation that seemed suited to much more advanced divers and I will not dive in the future in those conditions until I reach a more advanced level. I also had changed my weight distribution and trim, which in retrospect is a bad idea during challenging conditions.
I did reach the bottom of Fort Ross Cove (North, which is the most protected) to 22 feet and could barely see my fins, putting the vis at 5-6 feet. The extra weight added to my tank made me back heavy (10 lbs on tank, 20 in zeagle ranger bc pockets). At surface, conditions seemed fairly calm, but at 22 feet with large rocks on the bottom, the surge felt much stronger. Much to the disappointment of my buddy, I gave the abort call and we headed in. I was surprised at how nasty the surf was in the protected cove once near the waters edge, whereas on the cliff, it seemed quite inviting. I take away many lessons from this experience most of which is an increased respect for the ocean.