The Pasley July 06 Dive Report Thread

[headhunter]

A cormorant surprised me as it came flying out from under a rock at about 30 feet. I checked my depth guage twice; I had no idea they could go that deep.

Roy (ShakaZulu) and I were at a depth of 80 feet on the Way North Wall at La Jolla Shores one day and were also suprised by a cormorant casually swimming around with us. We had to check out guages to see if we were narced!

Christian

 

[undrwater]

We had to check out guages to see if we were narced!

Christian

I don't carry a guage that will tell me if I'm narced...where can I get one of those!

 

[headhunter]

I don't carry a guage that will tell me if I'm narced...where can I get one of those!

You can get them at the cormorant gift shop!

Christian

 

[riguerin]

Date: 7/29/2006
Dive Location: Deadman's/N. Crescent
Buddy(ies): glycerin
Time: 7:08 am
Bottom Time: 91 min
Max Depth: 46 fsw
Vis: 15-25 ft
Wave height: 2-3+ ft
Temp at depth: 62°F
Surface Temp: 73°F
Tide information: Low tide, 6:21 AM PDT +0.39 ft
Gas mix: 21%

Comments: Hooked up with Josh at the crack of dawn to try to capitalize on the diving conditions before the window closed. Topside conditions were overcast with a light drizzle this morning. There was overnight rain in So County. At Crescent Bay, we encountered a mix of modest sized southern-hemi and tropical ground swell energy (complements of Emilia). Tide was low, and a 2-3ft shore pound was breaking in the bay. There were some occasional 4ft sets. Light winds out of the SW placed some texture on the surface. We suited up quickly and timed a lull perfectly for an uneventful entrance. We finned out to the Deadhenge buoy where we encountered a moderate W current.

We descended in approximately 40 fsw. On the bottom, we encountered some moderate surge (~2-3 ft) and pretty good vis (~20+ft). We picked up the SW rock line and eventually reached the front side of Deadman's. We followed the reef line W for while before finally turning N and headed across the sand. We eventually picked up the backside of the inner reef at N. Crescent, following it in toward the beach. We reached the splash rock after approx 70 mins, each with over 1000 psi, so we turned around and headed back out for a few minutes, before heading back into the beach. Upon surfacing, the surf had picked up. There were now some 4-5 ft sets rolling in and closing out the bay. We timed the exit and we walked right while the getting was good.

As far as marine life, we saw plenty of the usual cast of characters: Lots of fish, including some feisty Garibaldi, Senorita Wrasse, Cabezon, Scorpionfish, Treefish, Painted Greenlings, blah ... blah ... blah. Lot's of lobster, including a couple fat boys. Saw a good sized 2 spot Octopus scurrying across the rocks back into it's den. Found a good sized California Moray, who despite my best attempts, I could not persuade out of this hole for a photo op. A humorous incident occurred when my attention was diverted by Josh's light signals. As a precaution against getting slammed into reef by the surge, I placed my left hand out to overt a full on collision with a rock. To my surprise, the part of the rock I touched started moving. It turns out that I placed my hand on Sheep Crab, who wasn't too happy about the incident. Oh, so that's what Josh was signaling at ... duuuuuuuh Guess you had to be there .. it was good for a hearty laugh through our regulators. Finally, on the way into the beach, we got buzzed a big Bat Ray who did a cool close-up fly.

I brought a camera today, in hopes of getting some pics. However, the lens fogged up early into the dive ... so, no such luck. Must be from all the crazy humidity we've been having lately. Regardless, it was a very nice long and relaxed 90+ minute dive. Afterwards, we stopped for breakfast at the Cottage for some tasty Huevos Rancheros. What a great way to kick off the weekend. Thanks for a memorable dive and an awesome breakfast, bro.

Foot note: As of 11 AM Laguna Beaches were closed to diving. Looks like this swell mix will continue to fill in over the weekend, peaking Sunday/Mon before backing down mid week.

 

[Glycerin]

Hey Rick,

Man did we time that right. Thanks for the great morning... see you Monday

 

[riguerin]

Hey Rick,

Man did we time that right. Thanks for the great morning... see you Monday

Like freak'n Navy Seals ... a perfectly executed surgical strike

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Date: July 29, 2006
Dive Location: Marineland
Buddy(ies): Jeff Shaw
Time: 7:20 and 10:33
Bottom Time: 1:05 and :47
Max Depth: 57' and 38'
Vis: 30' at the Point, 0-3' elsewhere
Wave height: 0-3'
Temp at depth: 61F and 63F
Surface Temp: 69F
Comments: I arrived at 5:45 am in time to empty the trash cans just as Jeff drove up. We walked around the lot for awhile, then suited up so we could be the first ones in the pool today. We entered at the Point where we found fairly flat surf and blue water!!! Vis at the Point was at least thirty feet. We played with a few octopus, snapped pictures of fish and nudibranchs before making our way toward the cove. Along the way I finally got to show Jeff the ladder. It isn't much to see, but it was the first time he'd seen it. The surge began picking up and the vis dropped quickly. We decided to make a surface swim. After a two hour+ surface interval we headed back in to dive the next cove. We found heavy surge, low vis and a two foot Horn shark. We fought the surge for a few minutes, then headed out to the end of the 120 Reef before heading back in. With the great vis on the first dive still in our minds we filled our tanks so we can try it again in the morning, this time with Mrs. Shaw in tow.

Island Kelpfish

Two Blennies for the price of one

Painted Greenling

Nudi Lovin'

San Diego dorid

Super Diver

Rough landing

Octopus

Treefish

Spotfin sculpin

I'm bigger than you!

All smiles after a morning of diving.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Date: July 30, 2006
Dive Location: Marineland
Buddy(ies): Jeff Shaw
Time: 7:04
Bottom Time: 1:03
Max Depth: 64'
Vis: 4-6'
Wave height: 3' and growing
Temp at depth: 59F
Comments: The winds picked up last night and brought in waves. The vis at the Point went from thirty feet yesterday to maybe six feet today. Jeff and I entered at the Point and had a somewhat easy entry, but I told him that we would probably be the only ones to do it today. Most divers chose to go to Redondo Beach instead. The dive itself wasn't bad. We found the usual critters and made our way back toward the cove. Mrs. Shaw slept in rather than get beat up today. Hopefully the conditions we had for dive #1 yesterday will return.

Jeff just loves pre-dawn dives on his days off.

Triopha catalinae

Cadlina luteomarginata

More nudi porn

 

[Robert Phillips]

Dive Location: Crescent Bay
Buddy(ies): Friedrich N.
Time: 7:16 AM
Bottom Time: 81 minutes
Max Depth: 48'
Vis: 20' above 40', 15' below 40' at the start of dive. 5-12' towards end of dive.
Wave height: 2-4'
Temp at depth: 61°
Surface Temp: 70°
Tide information: 1.1' low tide at 7:04 AM
Gas mix: The stuff they put in tires
Comments: Well, being that the lifeguards closed the beaches yesterday before 10:00 AM, I made an early run to LB to get a dive in before the real swell actually hit. Knowing that conditions were decreasing yesterday and the beaches being closed I was not surprised to see only one truck with 3 divers waiting for their instructor (having spoken to him Friday night at SC getting fills for the class.)
Friedrich pulled up a little after 6:00 and we both went down to the beach to check conditions. There were some nice sized sets rolling in followed by a long lull and some small knee sized wave during the lull. Other than that, the water was clear, warm and inviting. We geared up and made our way out to the end of the wash reef. Dropping down from there with the plan of swimming to Deadhenge, doing some sightseeing and making our way back to 20-25' for some skills practice, this being Friedrich's first dive in doubles.
We spent an hour cruising over the reef, spotting all the usual life along with a very nice sized (4'+) California halibut who let me get close enough to put my hand over his tail to get a good approximation of his size. His tail was larger than my outstretched hand! He was twice as long as the length of my forearm, elbow to hand. I was kind of glad my other buddies were not hunting here today!
We also spotted a bat ray off in the distance form all the sand it was kicking up. We spotted him again as we got closer to shore at the end of the dive when he buzzed us and came within 5 feet of me. There were lots of small octos out and about today. We headed to the end of Deadhenge were there are spaces between the rocks about 100' out from the large rock that is there naturally and found a little guy trying his hardest to be a rock. He was evenly spaced between two rocks and, if not for the surge, would have passed as one. We came across him again on the way back on the big rock, hiding under one of the large gorgonians. I found another little guy accidentally as I spotted a large snail shell and thought to myself, cool shell, and noticed two eyes peeking out at me and trying to pull themselves deeper into the shell.
As we made our way back towards the beach, conditions had noticeably deteriorated. We lost our great vis' and the surge had picked up considerably. Instead of 20' of vis' and 4' of surge, we had 8' of vis' and 10' of surge. We decided to bag the skills practice and did a slow ascent from 30'.

We swam in and avoided the large sets, that now had 4' faces, and exited during the still long lull.

It was a good day to dive, but alas, the beaches were closed at 10:30 or so. Big swell due in this week too. Head north to LA if you can

Robb

 

[SoCalAngel]

Date: 7-30-06
Dive Location: "Straits of Mackinac" wreck in Lake Michigan (14 mi NE of Burnham Harbor and 9 mi due East of Evanston Beach)
Buddy(ies): 1st-Vivian & Ana, 2nd -Randy and finished with DMs Billy Loy and Lance on both
Time: 8:30 am; 11:00 am
Bottom Time: 40 min (+8 minute ascent); 34 min (+10 min ascent)
Max Depth: 72 ft; 75 ft
Vis: 20-25 ft.
Wave height: wind chop on 2nd dive was 2-3 ft.
Temp at depth: 44F at depth :11: , 60F at 40' thermocline
Surface Temp: 70F
Gas mix: the stuff you breath (couldn't find Nitrox DIN rental tanks anywhere in Chicago area :shakehead )
Comments: WOWWW!!!!

The wreck was a car ferry between the Michigan Peninsulas in it's day. It was purposefully sunk about three years ago. Silt wasn't too bad, covered with that slimy green freshwater algae and zebra mussels(Dreissena polymorpha ), loads of round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) outside and inside the wreck. A small school of alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) circled the steering house (looked a little like a conning tower). There was tons of ambient light, which made photography a little difficult, but I got several good shots - unfortunately I forgot my camera download cable at home in Cally...have to wait until Thursday to see them

The first dive I started with two amazing FEMALE :gorgeous: Chicago Divers. They got cold after 25 minutes, so the DM stayed with me as I continued to shoot pics. The boat was the "Great Lakes Explorer" (http://www.divechicago.com/charters.htm) and Capt. Bob and his wife were very nice and accommodating. The two DMs run a part time charter operation - "Scuba Life" (info@goscubalife.com).

With my back still a little out of wack, I geared up in the water. On the first dive, my Vytek dropped into the deep blue water. I didn't find it on the first dive. On the second dive, I took my reel. I attached it midship on the starboard side, Randy was going to stay with in sight of the wreck, while I swam out further with my reel, with him in sight. I did a circle sweep around the wreck. After just 19 minutes, I found my computer (BTW, I did have my other computer as a back up - which was very good because my vytek says I died )! Hooray!!! :multi: Randy (in a DRYSUIT) got cold and went up after 20 minutes. I was doing my best to reel in my line ASAP, but my reel didn't cooperate, so I wrote on my slate and requested Billy to unhook my line, as I simply gathered it (almost out of NDL, so either drop the reel, cut the line, or make a nest - I made a nest :lol: ). After I had my nest in hand, I went onto the deck and took a few more pictures. Down to 10 minutes of NDL, I took a few last shots of the alewives - which I hadn't seen until all the other divers were out of the water - before leaving the FREEZING wonderland. I was really hoping to spot a steelhead or Salmon, as they hunt the alewives, but I guess that will have to be on my list for the next trip to Chicago!

Oh, and I WILL bring my drysuit next time...the wetsuit alone on the first dive was too chilly, with my hooded vest on the second dive, I was comfortable, but the drysuit would have been better :blinking:

This board is so awesome, because I found the dive charter through the Great Lakes Wreaking Crew area! Thanks SB:sappy: