Newbie Monterrey trip report

[midwestdvr]

Alright. Finally made it to Monterrey to do some cold water diving. First of all a background. Up until today, all my diving has been done in warm tropical waters. Coldest water temp in my logbook is 74F during my OW cert dives in Key West. I've never worn anything thicker than a 3/2 mil full suit. Never carried more than 14 pounds of lead.

Left early morning Sunday. Didn't get much sleep, too nervous and excited . Drive was cool as there was virtually no traffic on the road. Arrived at Monterrey Bay Dive Center and met my DM/dive buddy/tour guide. Set-up my new BP/W. I wore a 7 mil farmer john for the dives and it was calculated that I would wear a 30 pound weight belt for the first dive (more on the belt deal later). Both dives were done by the breakwater (?) per my wish.

Dive 1:
Moderate surf. First time doing a beach entry with anything more than ankle slappers but held my own and didn't fall and make a fool of myself (there were a lot of divers there). Descended on shallow waters and then swam to deeper part. As we got deeper and wetsuit compression became a factor, I realized I was waaaaaay overweighted. I was bouncing up and down on the sandy bottom. Also, my harness wasn't adjusted properly and my bp/w was shifting side to side on me. Cold wasn't a factor on this dive, my hands were the only ones I noticed being cold. Decided to call the dive earlier than expected. Once out of the water, the weightbel proved to be a problem. All that 30 pounds was now on my hips and I felt like I was doing lunges every time I took a step. It was awful :280:

Stats: 36 minutes. 41 feet max, avg 28. Water temp 53F. Viz approx 10 feet

Dive 2:

Ditched the weight belt and used a weight harness and decreased the weights to 24 pounds. Adjusted the harness on the bp/w. This time, buoyancy was waaaaaaay better. Was able to keep off the bottom and was able to enjoy the dive a little bit more. Got a little bit chilled on the second dive, noticed more cooooooold water sneaking inside my suit but still mostly cold in the hands. Probably got a little more chilled on the 2nd dive coz I was able to stay longer underwater. I liked this dive and I liked the bp/w.

Stats: 52 minutes . 42 feet max, avg 32 feet. Water temp 55F. Viz approx 10 feet.

Impressions:
I liked the dive but can't see myself doing more than 2 dives/day. The harness was way better than the weight belt. Now, I'm ready for more diving. Just gotta find others to take on a newbie ( ) and some time off.

 

[midwestdvr]

Oh, I forgot to mention the critters. Let me see, I saw batrays, wolf eels, couple of leopard sharks, lingcods, sheepheads.......oh wait, got it confused with the aquarium .

Seriously, I saw lots of fishes (a given) but what really amazed me was the amount of crabs and shrimps I found during the dives. I've never seen so many of either in one dive before, especially the shrimps. I really wished that I'd brought my camera with me. With the viz as it was, I was glad I brought a light with me as they were a must in order to spot the critters. There were also tons of flounder (sand tabs?) in the sand during my 3 minute stops to keep me amused.

 

[Ben_ca]

Congrats on your first Monterey dive... going out again next weekend? As far as wetsuit diving in Monterey I found that my first dive wasn't a problem... it's getting in the second time that is a little chilling. But now I'm in a drysuit that I like and life's so much better.

Most people day tripping out just do 2 dives then drive home.

flounder (sand tabs?)

Sand Dabs

Check out the rest of that site www.metridium.com Clinton's photos are amazing...

Maybe next time you can checkout the Metridium Fields right off the Breakwater or better yet Pt Lobos

 

[midwestdvr]

Congrats on your first Monterey dive... going out again next weekend? As far as wetsuit diving in Monterey I found that my first dive wasn't a problem... it's getting in the second time that is a little chilling. But now I'm in a drysuit that I like and life's so much better.

Most people day tripping out just do 2 dives then drive home.



Sand Dabs

Check out the rest of that site www.metridium.com Clinton's photos are amazing...

Maybe next time you can checkout the Metridium Fields right off the Breakwater or better yet Pt Lobos

So that's what they're called. I've heard about the metridium fields and will definitely make it out there. Would love to dive next weekend but might have to work.

 

[Wristshot]

midwestdvr,

Glad you had a good time in our backyard.

I find that my hands get a little cold because everytime I squeeze, it forces water out and then back into my gloves (exchange). However, it is my lips that feel the cold more than anything else.

Good job, 52 minutes in 55 degrees is a good day.

Now that you have seen the Monterey Bay up close and personal, you can understand why we do it, and why it is hard to explain to others. The visibility is often only 10 feet, but typically you will see more life in that 10 feet than in many places where you can see 100 feet. The myriad of little crabs, shrimps (clicking away) and bazillions of anemones etc are amazing. Great idea bringing a light with you. Anyone that dives Monterey without a light is missing most of it.

Typically the fish are more camoflauged rather than brightly colored, but the stuff growing on the rocks have a rainbow of colors.

Did you get to see some seals or sea lions underwater?


Wristshot

 

[Ishie]

Congrats! Especially on a not so perfect day.

Saw a lot of shrimp this weekend, but mainly I noticed there were mundo crabs out this weekend! Of all types. I'm used to the sheep and moss crabs all over the place, but everywhere I looked there were crabs.

Were you at Breakwater? Unless I'm at the very end of the pier, I never seem to pick up any extra "dive buddies" over there. We were at McAbee today and my buddy got her fin voraciously tugged by a harbor seal though.

 

[GoatLord]

You got me super excited to go! I am doing my first ocean dive in Moneterey tomorrow (hopefully!) and yours was a great report/description from someone that has never been there.

 

[Narcd_dvr]

Congrats on your first cold water diving. I bet you enjoyed the experience of donning that thick wetsuit

 

[Skeeter1097]

I must try Monterey. I lived there for 10 years, Not to farr away from the whorf. 30 years age. Now I dive but escept once in Nc. all in S Fl. Good job on the dive and the report.

 

[jmani]

It isn't the second dive that gets me it is the 4th or 5th of the day that gets me. I just got my drysuit last week, no I am awaiting the class to teach me how to use it.

John