Monterey September 21-22nd

[wdunne311]

Reading about what happened with the line to the barge on BA_diving, I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing didn't happen at Del Monte. Maybe I'm being a little over pessimistic though.

 

[RoyN]

Well...whatever the case with the line is, just be careful Brad.

Royston

 

[wdunne311]

Hey mike...First off, good luck with your dives and welcome to the wonderful world of diving!

I'd like to take a stab at this question for ya.

Since I started diving in June (you old guys can laugh now if you'd like) , I've looked at chuck's conditions page and the weather forecast. The forecasts he feeds from there are color coded (they are products of NOAA and the Navy if I'm not mistaken) and a guide to what they mean is on that page. If you go by the colors, Breakwater has been pretty calm most days even when you see green on either the swell model or the wave forecast. It is usually light blue or dark blue (meaning fairly calm--there is actually a number associated with this). Now Chuck or any other of the more experienced guys are more than welcome to flame me on this, but looking at the way Monterey is layed out, Breakwater should usually be pretty calm because it sits on the "protected" side of the peninsula. Meaning that the South of Point Pinos/Point Joe (probably including it) is exposed to the open ocean, but Breakwater is not (or doesn't take as much wave energy, because of this protection), so on a normal day, Breakwater is mostly calm. All that being said, the ocean changes from day to day anyway, and you could have a forecast for 6-8 foot waves/swell and go look at it the day you dive and it's as flat as a board. I think you'll be fine whatever the conditions at Breakwater. Your instructor would let you know or should let you know if he/she thinks the conditions are unsafe and that you should dive another day. Winter time, from what I hear, seems to be when you get a lot of undiveable days because of winter storms.

Anyway, once you're certified, you're more than welcome to join us at one of our scubaboard events that seem to be happening somewhat regularly now. It's a great way to meet other divers. Just keep diving after you get certified. Also, ask for a dive buddy on Scubaboard once you get certified, if you're having trouble finding people to go diving with. And you're more than welcome to come diving with me and my buddies.

On your nervousness, I was nervous too during my open water dives and even after that for about the first several dives (probably more like the first 5-6). Maybe nervous isn't the right word, but I lacked the confidence to go out there and plan a dive with a buddy. I still felt like I needed that instructor near by if something happened. The more you dive though, the more comfortable you get in the water. And the more you dive, the more your comfort zone expands of what you're able to do in the water as well (i.e. deeper dives, wreck dives, tech dives, etc...).

Again, good luck and maybe we'll see you at the Breakwater.

 

[bolantej]

Hey Mike-

It's got one of the easiest entries, and parking (get there EARLY) is pretty close to the beach. It's never been that rough when I've been there. No need to worry. Just pay attention to your instructor and you'll be golden.

 

[Ben_ca]

Be sure to read the fine print on the parking pass... I do not think that the parking pass will work in all lot's in Monterey.... So if you buy an all day pass for Del Monte you'll have to get another one for San Carlos/BW...

It should say right on the meter where the pass is good for.

you figure it would be good for all the city lots

 

[alphonsis]

So let's hash out the particulars for saturday, who's coming, when are we meeting?

Oh, and I'm coming with my buddy.

 

[wdunne311]

Yeah, sorry to hijack your thread.

 

[mikeguerrero]

Thanks a lot for the guidance on break water. I'm really excited since my pool dives last week and doing so well on my written exam. I've been watching the weather patterns really well since anticipating my diving on Sat and Sun in the ocean.

All I've been using is the weather channel online and found that a dumb storm front from Vancover Washington has started it's way down to Monterey and will hit it Friday and Saturday. Since I'm up here in the San Francisco Bay Area, I have already started seeing the wind pick up and major clouds and some drizzle.

We will see what happens for the weekend, and I just hope that in the water the visisbility isn't all that bad, I'm not expecting great visibillity but I hope I don't get the worse, I really want to enjoy this dive.

Myself and my dive buddy and the instructor will be camping out in our RV's right next to the beach so getting a good spot should not be a problem.

Anyone know how cold the water has been in break water? Or how about the visibility? Anyway can hardly wait and thanks for the offer about joining your dive friends you can count on me taking that up as I progress.

MG

 

[bolantej]

while some of the meter maids might let you slide (it's doubtful), I wouldn't chance using a parking pass for two entirely different lots. Honestly, I've never even seen them get outta their little car to check.

Alphonosis--I'll be there Saturday morning. I'm driving down by myself, so wherever you and your buddy would like to meet is fine with me. I plan on leaving Monterey Saturday afternoon, so an early start is best for me. If we do BW then I will try to get there by 630 or so, to get parking.

wdunne311- no biggie

Mike- I think the temps have been around the low to mid 50s. Don't forget your gloves and hood

Anyone else, PM me with your contact info if you wanna meet up.

Thanks!

 

[wdunne311]

That is actually kind of interesting. Guess you guys should make sure you bring your knives to stab your buddy so you get away. You don't have to be fast, just have to be faster than your buddy. God bless split fins. ...And on that note, I need to go to bed.