Monastery Survival Project-Call for Experienced Monastery Divers

[DocWong]

Hi,

This is a call for experienced divers of Monastery that would like to be part of the Monastery Survival Panel discussion. If you've dived Monastery a good number of times and feel you have something to share about what worked for you to safely get in and out of Monastery, please e-mail me at: docwong@aol.com

We'll then set a date to do the panel discussion. I'll also need 2 video cameras and perhaps lighting to video the discussion. This discussion will then be used in the video.

Thanks, let's help improve the safety of diving at Monastery!

Harry (Doc) Wong (Welcome to Dr)
President Northern California Oceans Foundation
Northern California Oceans Foundation : NCOF
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Previous Post on our local bay area diver's Monastery Survival Project!

Hi,

Since returning to diving in the Monterey area three years ago, I found the diving incredible! The combination of divers, environment, equipment and knowledge is quite a package!

On the down side, as with any sport where there is risk, and we've had numerous fatalities. It was out of the latest fatality at Monastery that this project was born. I suspect this will not be our last fatality at Monastery, however perhaps we as a community of knowledgeable and experienced divers, we can do something about it.

As a diving community, let's demystify diving at Monastery.

The Goal: is a non-commercial video documentary that can be posted on key websites for anyone that would like to enhance their knowledge of diving at Monastery. The goal is not to replace proper instruction, but to supplement one's knowledge by the opinions of our local diving community.

The Plan:

1. Gather a small number of experienced divers and do a panel discussion following a basic A-Z outline of diving at Monastery. Time, date and location to be announced and will be open for anyone to attend. Anyone wishing to attend to ask questions and learn more about diving at Monastery is encouraged.

2. Establish the outline for the Monastery Panel Discussion.

3. Do the Panel Discussion and get it video taped.

4. Arrange and do the various dive entrys and exits at Monastery on videotape demonstrating each of the points from the panel discussion.

5. Edit to a final video.

6. Distribute and get posted on key websites.

What do you think? Input? Opinions?
E-mail me if you want to participate. Many volunteers are needed in video, writing, editing, diving, safety, panel discussion, and support. By the way, I get dibbs on being one of the divers that gets rolled at Monastery, let's see how hard it is to keep that reg in my mouth! ;-)

Harry (Doc) Wong (Welcome to Dr)
President Northern California Oceans Foundation
Northern California Oceans Foundation : NCOF

 

[Coll]

I think this is a fantastic idea! I've only dove Monastery four or five times but it is definitely a fascinating dive site and I think you hit it on the nose when you said we should "Demystify" the dive site. Great spot, bad reputation. I look forward to seeing the final result!

 

[DocWong]

Thanks, I'lll post the date, time and location of the Panel Discussion and everyone is invited for that one!

 

[micboucher]

Great idea Doc! I'm looking forward to hearing people's experiences and seeing the final results.

 

[Anti-Hero]

This is a great idea! I've been wanting to dive Monastery for quite sometime, but I don't personally know anyone in my circle of dive buddies that has ever dove it. Because of it's reputation, I've been hesitant to try it out without an experienced guide.

 

[dhammer]

I'm new to diving, but I have dived Monastery several times and loved it. I did get tossed around a bit on one occasion, and I think I have have some good ideas for making it safer. I'd be happy to participate, if you think the voice of a less experienced diver would be of any value.

 

[alphonsis]

I don't know if it within the realms of this project, but an animated segment that explains the location of the kelp beds and how they affect the strength of the waves that make it to shore, as well as the resulting protected areas could be useful.

 

[DocWong]

That's awesome, do you know something of the kelp and current or surge patterns? Maybe we can find someone to do that?

 

[Ben_ca]

I don't know if it within the realms of this project, but an animated segment that explains the location of the kelp beds and how they affect the strength of the waves that make it to shore, as well as the resulting protected areas could be useful.

Sorry.... can you please expand on this?

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

I suspect it's not the kelp bed that affecting the swells, but rather the shallower reef that the
kelp is attached to. The reef causes the wave to refract (like a lens) and spread its energy out
over more beach.