Open Invite: Monastery Panel Discussion Wednesday March 26th 7:00 PM

[DocWong]

Hi,

This is an open invitation for anyone wanting to attend.

If you're curious about Monastery and want to know about this awesome dive site or have input ot share, come and attend. Your questions and input would be appreciated.

This should be fun and interesting!

On the panel we have; Chuck Tribolet, Neil Benjamin, Scott Timms, Gary David and David Mackiewicz.

I'll moderate and go by a general outline. I'll ask the panel questions and anyone can answer. Everyone will be able to answer and we'll get it all on video. Audience can ask questions as needed. Then we'll use excerpts of the panel discussions mixed with on-the-scene Monastery shots for the video.

Date: Wednesday March 26, 2008 7PM to 9 PM.

Location: Map of 1391 Woodside Rd Redwood City, CA by MapQuest
Active Life Medical/Chiropractic Center
1391 Woodside Road, Suite 200
Redwood City, CA 94061

 

[sarita75]

Sounds great Doc. Mark and I will be there! Looking forward to it!

 

[DocWong]

Awesome! I'm really looking forward to this as I too have some questions about entering and exiting Monastery!

 

[RoyN]

I have chamber music practices during that time... Maybe somebody could fill in for those unable to attend and post the a recording of the session on Youtube.

 

[zen_man]

If I can work it, I would love to come. It would be good to see you again Doc and this time, I won't be so exhausted!

 

[DocWong]

Great! See you there!

 

[alphonsis]

darn, that's during my spring break and I'll be out of town. Sounds like it'll be a very informative session, have fun!

 

[micboucher]

Sounds really interesting! I'll be there if I can get out of work early enough.

 

[DocWong]

The Monastery Panel Discussion is all set! Russ from Light and Motion is going to have 2 cameras to do the video this night. It'll be shot in Hi-Def.

Date: Wednesday March 26, 2008 7PM to 9 PM.

Location: Map of 1391 Woodside Rd Redwood City, CA by MapQuest
Active Life Medical/Chiropractic Center
1391 Woodside Road, Suite 200
Redwood City, CA 94061

Below if our basic outline. Any feedback on this? Anything you can think of to add, etc?

Doc Wong
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0. Panel Introductions
1. How beautiful the diving is at Monastery, what's the attraction?
2. How is Monastery beach unique? Why can it be dangerous? How are divers caught off guard? What happens?
3. Parking
4. How to decide whether or not to dive Monastery.
Reading the forecasts
Reading the number of divers on the beach
Reading the sets
When to call the dive
Assessing the capabilities of yourself and your buddies, etc.
5. Practicing without tanks first, snorkeling gear.
6. Gear choices: a look at Octos and a backup reg on a necklace as a possibility
7. Gearing up:
8. ENTERING
Entry Points
Gear staging strategies.
Reg in your mouth. Reg in your mouth. REG IN YOUR MOUTH!.
Fins on vs. Fins off (note, this is a religious debate)
When to enter. Watching the wave sets
Entering with a buddy
Entering Solo
Entering Sideways, Backwards, Forwards?
Beat cheeks through the surf line and well beyond it.
Watch the surf line while waiting for your buddy.
Reg in your mouth. Reg in your mouth. REG IN YOUR MOUTH!.
If you fall. Let go of your buddies hands and kick toward the ocean. Keep your buddy by your side. Be prepared to help them to deep water. Do not spit your reg. out of your mouth. Do not fall toward the beach, you can get tumbled and get into trouble.
If you fall and get tumbled in the surf:
9. The dive
Initial surface swim
The canyon
The reef
The sand flats (inc. salvage)
Navigation
Gas management, esp. if it gets surgy.
10. Exiting:
On the beach helper
Exit points.
Stay well away from the surf line until you are ready to go.
When to exit: identifying the small waves
Talk to your buddy. Make sure you are clear on your plan
Choose the wave that you going to come in on.
Watch the surf line while getting ready to go.
Reg in your mouth. Reg in your mouth. REG IN YOUR MOUTH!.
Gear WELL stowed so you don't crawl over it and get stuck
Get heavy, dig in on the outflow, let the inflow help you.
Fins flush on the sand: if not, the wave can flip you heels over head
Head low on the outflow.
Using the waves to help you up the beach
Make a fist and crawl on your knuckles. Crawl fast. Don't stop.
Reg in your mouth. Reg in your mouth. REG IN YOUR MOUTH UNTIL 10' INTO DRY SAND.
Don't stop crawling until 10' into dry sand.
11. Recommended progression.
- Dive with people that have dove there before and know the site.
- Pick a day that has “ankle biter” sized waves. You will be able to see for yourself the transition from steep beach, the shallow section, the step to deeper safe water.
- Snorkel.
- Dive with small light tanks.
- After gaining experience, decide if you can dive this beach with your normal gear: steel 100’s or doubles.
- Have a extra person that is able to help out in case you fall and start to get tumbled in the surf zone.
12. What to do when (not if) you get rolled
What to do if it gets big while you are diving
Other survival techniques
How to help others
Call 911 NOW if bad stuff happens

 

[sarita75]

I am really looking forward to attending this Doc! Look forward to seeing everyone there!