Sooo....Monterey this weekend? Crazy?

[fisheater]

That's because you are looking at the Monterey Bay forecast. DON'T. The Monterey
Bay forecast always has a big range because there's always someplace that's
sheltered. Usually it's up around Santa Cruz. Instead, look at the offshore forecast
(Pigeon Pt. to Pt. Pinos out 20 nm) to see what Neptune is throwing at you. Here's
that forecast:

SAT
W WINDS 10 TO 20 KT...BECOMING S IN THE AFTERNOON.
WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. NW SWELL 12 TO 15 AT 15 SECONDS...
DECREASING TO 8 TO 12 FT AT 14 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF RAIN.

SAT NIGHT
SW WINDS 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 3 TO 5 FT.
NW SWELL 7 TO 11 FT AT 13 SECONDS. RAIN.

SUN
NW WINDS 20 TO 30 KT. WIND WAVES 4 TO 7 FT.
NW SWELL 9 TO 13 FT. SHOWERS LIKELY.

If that holds, I'll stay home I've found (through experience) that when it's a NW swell
and it's bigger than 8 FT, it's not fun.

The forecasts aren't about getting every maybe possible dive day, but rather about
not diving any of the bad days.

Last weekend, for instance.

I did my OW checkout dives at The Breakwater. While my instructor reported that "calm" areas around Santa Cruz were experiencing heavy surf, The Breakwater was mild on Saturday and downright flat on Sunday - when the topside weather weather was rather atrocious (the Coast Guard was filling sand bags). Viz both days was outstanding (best in 4 months, per my instructor).

The lessons I learned were (a) topside weather doesn't really matter when you're already in two layers of 7 mm neoprene and (b) there's no substitute for looking at the water where you're going to dive.

 

[DocWong]

Yep! We dove last week on both days and had stellar days! See my video Scooterbatics and the Caverns of Pt Lobos. One of my most fun dives in the cove there.

We're going to roll the dice and try again this weekend.

 

[DocWong]

I don't think it will be a problem getting into Pt Lobos Saturday. The big waves are a bit of a deteeent. That said, Todd, Greg and I will be there and I have room for at least 2 more divers if you want to come in on my ticket.

 

[sarita75]

I am still thinking about the merits of diving on Sunday. Doc - will you give me a buzz later this afternoon and let me know your thoughts on conditions, etc?

 

[Gombessa]

Lobos reservations released today. Teams 14 and 15 are first-come, first-serve.

Safe diving.

 

[fdog]

Lobos reservations released today. Teams 14 and 15 are first-come, first-serve.

Safe diving.

Just curious - how did you find this out?


All the best, James

 

[Gombessa]

Just curious - how did you find this out?
All the best, James

I should have been more clear - these were my reservations; I called to open them up cause I wasn't going to use them today

 

[DocWong]

I am still thinking about the merits of diving on Sunday. Doc - will you give me a buzz later this afternoon and let me know your thoughts on conditions, etc?

Awesome day of diving today at Pt Lobos!!!!

Winds were down in the morning and Monterey Bay didn't look bad. Monastery was not divable and from the top of the hill of Pt Lobos at Whaler's Cove, it looked like a giant washing machine on it's soapy splash cycle. Todd commented on not liking the whitish-brown foam and wondered what it was. I told him not to eat any! Greg said, "Well this is not as bad as the day we dove Lobos on Maverick's weekend."

We got in and I could still see my hands, viz isn't "that" bad. ;-)

We swam out to the North end of Middle Reef and dropped down, the viz had opened up to 10 feet. Ah, this is looking much better. We did some quick drills and continued on our way.

Going North, Greg signaled us and shined his light in the sand and Todd and I were wondering "ok, yea, there's sand." Then as I got closer, it was a Halibut or Flounder, perfectly camouflaged with the sand. Got some good video of it and will post later.

Then we swam (yes, no scooters today) NorthWest to Sea Mount and the viz continued to open up. I think it got to about 25 to 30 feet or so. Very nice!

Coming back there was lots to see and the surge was fun to dive in. It was probably a good 10' surge. Being perfectly flat, horizontal made a big difference it. Hardly had to swim back, when the surge was against me I'd gently stick a finger in the sand or gently hold onto a rock or kelp and when the surge was pushing me forward, I'd let go, give a couple of kicks and varooom....

Getting out was "interesting." The tide was way way low and there was pretty good wave action at the ramp. I got pushed into the logs, flipped over and turtled. I wish someone videoed that! I just kept the reg in my mouth and waited for the next big wave and used it to right myself. Wow, every dive a new experience.

Ok, all that said. I think Sunday will be pretty much the same as today. To dive or not to dive will depend on what you consider fun. I found it very worthwhile and especially diving with 2 buddies that enjoy the same types of dives. That means great viz, calm days like in my "Scooterbatics" video or like today where the viz is well..er...different. We haven't missed a day of diving this winter which as been much more stormy than the last 2 or 3 years.

Hope that helps.

Also, I'll share the video I got on the dive later after editing.

 

[DocWong]

Also, there were about 4 other teams that showed up and dove. So it wasn't that crazy. ;-)

 

[sarita75]

Kudos to you for swimming out Doc! Glad to hear of the conditions - I think I am going to wait it out another week before I head down....