selo
Contributor
I called Randy (Captain Bruce) weeks in advance, got my spot on his boat for three days 12/3-5, even arranged for a Nitrox class. He suggested I get the material ahead of time, do my reading, studying, which I did.
Before this trip, I did almost all of my 40+ dives within the last year at Catalina Island just southwest of Los Angeles in 5 mm hooded vest + 7/5 full wetsuit.
Monday at 7 am, Alan picked me up. About one hour drive to the harbour, nice conversation about the economics and demographics of Oahu. There are 7 divers on the boat. Randy gives a nice briefing, we go to Mahi, with divemasters Alan, Christi and Cameron. Temperature at depth (max 90 fsw) was 74. I was very comfy in a 3 mm full suit. Visibility was 50-60 ft, with an eagle ray hovering nearby. After the first dive, we saw lots of dolphins on the way to the second dive site, the 5-in Reef, full of ammunition from WWII still at the bottom. Visibility was down to about 20-30 ft, shallower dive, but nice bottom time as warm water helped me improve my air consumption. I also got a chance to try out my bp/w rig. I love it.
The seas were a bit rough, though, 4 ft+ swells and some wind, and one of the younger divers went code green.
Ready for the second day bright and early, and got the call at 6:50 AM that it is a no go. The storm had worked its way in and it was miserable. Very high winds just made it unsafe. I spent the day working and hoped the storm would pass over, but it got worse, and the dive was also canceled on Wednesday. Just bad timing on my part. I got to see part of North Shore (although their power was out, beaches closed to public, etc.).
So, I had planned for 3 days of diving, but only had one day. It was still a nice trip. Randy refunded the canceled dive fees, made a trip to my hotel during bad weather to bring back my gear, and made the experience better. I would not hesitate to go to him again. Thanks Randy.
What a beautiful island. I will go back this summer and dive some more.
Selo
Before this trip, I did almost all of my 40+ dives within the last year at Catalina Island just southwest of Los Angeles in 5 mm hooded vest + 7/5 full wetsuit.
Monday at 7 am, Alan picked me up. About one hour drive to the harbour, nice conversation about the economics and demographics of Oahu. There are 7 divers on the boat. Randy gives a nice briefing, we go to Mahi, with divemasters Alan, Christi and Cameron. Temperature at depth (max 90 fsw) was 74. I was very comfy in a 3 mm full suit. Visibility was 50-60 ft, with an eagle ray hovering nearby. After the first dive, we saw lots of dolphins on the way to the second dive site, the 5-in Reef, full of ammunition from WWII still at the bottom. Visibility was down to about 20-30 ft, shallower dive, but nice bottom time as warm water helped me improve my air consumption. I also got a chance to try out my bp/w rig. I love it.
The seas were a bit rough, though, 4 ft+ swells and some wind, and one of the younger divers went code green.
Ready for the second day bright and early, and got the call at 6:50 AM that it is a no go. The storm had worked its way in and it was miserable. Very high winds just made it unsafe. I spent the day working and hoped the storm would pass over, but it got worse, and the dive was also canceled on Wednesday. Just bad timing on my part. I got to see part of North Shore (although their power was out, beaches closed to public, etc.).
So, I had planned for 3 days of diving, but only had one day. It was still a nice trip. Randy refunded the canceled dive fees, made a trip to my hotel during bad weather to bring back my gear, and made the experience better. I would not hesitate to go to him again. Thanks Randy.
What a beautiful island. I will go back this summer and dive some more.
Selo
