Eric Sedletzky
Contributor
Renpirate and I decided to attempt Arena Rock today.
When we got up to Point Arena the fog was laying down on the water. There was very little boat traffic at the hoist so we got in right away. The water was really churned up down at the docking area and the boat fenders were really getting a workout as the boat and the dock tortured them. We fired the boat up and took off.
As we began around the headland the swells began to grow and grow and then we were greeted with some wind chop and even a little south swell. The water became very agitated and didnt know what to do. We were seeing those splash geisers that form when two different swell directions clash. The swells, I estimated, were around 10 feet at about 9 seconds. This is NOT what the report said it was gong to be!
We decided that getting to the rock was impossible so we turned right around and went back. We got hoisted out and went down the coast to Gerstle cove.
Gerstle was not bad at all. The cove was very calm as usual and there were two open water classes in progress. Andy and I suited up and surface swam out of the cove. We dropped down in about 30 feet took a reading and headed out and a little south. We practiced very close buddy team work and traded off in 10 minute increments to lead for hunting. Andy got a good ling and 3 reds and I got a red.
Total dive time was 53 minutes and max depth was 79 feet. The terrain we found was great but the vis was on the low side at 6-8 feet outside the cove.
I still love it.
Well the boat dive was a nix but we got wet and shot some food so it was fun.
Afterwards Andy took me to his favorite indian restaurant on hwy 1 at the Russian River bridge called the Sizzling Tandor. It was the best indian food I've probably ever had.
Nothing like a nice spicey feast after diving.
Till next time.
ZKY
When we got up to Point Arena the fog was laying down on the water. There was very little boat traffic at the hoist so we got in right away. The water was really churned up down at the docking area and the boat fenders were really getting a workout as the boat and the dock tortured them. We fired the boat up and took off.
As we began around the headland the swells began to grow and grow and then we were greeted with some wind chop and even a little south swell. The water became very agitated and didnt know what to do. We were seeing those splash geisers that form when two different swell directions clash. The swells, I estimated, were around 10 feet at about 9 seconds. This is NOT what the report said it was gong to be!
We decided that getting to the rock was impossible so we turned right around and went back. We got hoisted out and went down the coast to Gerstle cove.
Gerstle was not bad at all. The cove was very calm as usual and there were two open water classes in progress. Andy and I suited up and surface swam out of the cove. We dropped down in about 30 feet took a reading and headed out and a little south. We practiced very close buddy team work and traded off in 10 minute increments to lead for hunting. Andy got a good ling and 3 reds and I got a red.
Total dive time was 53 minutes and max depth was 79 feet. The terrain we found was great but the vis was on the low side at 6-8 feet outside the cove.
I still love it.
Well the boat dive was a nix but we got wet and shot some food so it was fun.
Afterwards Andy took me to his favorite indian restaurant on hwy 1 at the Russian River bridge called the Sizzling Tandor. It was the best indian food I've probably ever had.
Nothing like a nice spicey feast after diving.
Till next time.
ZKY
