The Pasley June 06 Dive Report Thread

[neophyte]

so I'll just add a few minor things.

The "gear issues" that led to my doing more hiking than diving with my fellow SCRUE U divers involved my nearly new Atomic Frameless mask being torn from my face and lost during my "unique Off-The-Rocks entry". My entry was actually entirely accidental, backwards and into exactly the wrong spot, while attempting to pull on my fins.

I did several underwater flips, frontloading Maytag style, bashed my head on at least two different rocks and lost the greatest mask I've ever tried on (which I was wearing) BUT I was able to breathe even though I didn't have a reg in my mouth as I was knocked over. Overall, the experience was semi-harrowing (albeit brief) but it could have been much, much worse if I hadn't been able to duck my head and get a reg in my mouth while my hands tried very hard to protect my face and hold onto my fins. Thank you bungeed backup!

Lastly, I was rather dissapointed with how things were going as I scrambled back up the rocks at the point, a still full 130 mocking me from between my complaining shoulder blades. So, instead of trudging back up to the parking lot to retrieve my spare mask (where it sat in my trunk, instead of the left pocket of my X-Shorts, which was its own lesson) I set my rig down right there to sit and stew, trying to find the half-full glass perspective.

Within 15 minutes along came Evil Jeff Shaw, not to dive, but with a mask in his pocket nonetheless(!?!). He asked the two divers he was walking with how they'd feel about my making their duo a trio. They were amenable and all was not lost. I even got to confuse Rob and Tevis by popping up in front of them, waving, and swimming off to stay close to my new buddies. The initials on my fins clued them in as I swam off.

I had a great dive, so thanks so much Jeff, Chris and Sean. I also had a great morning, so thanks so much Ray, Robb, Frederick, Tevis and Claudette.

This is not the last time you will hear SCRUE U.

 

[scottfiji]

I also had a great morning, so thanks so much Ray, Robb, Frederick, Tevis and Claudette.

.

wow, I guess I wasn't there. Even though I didn't show up at 7 with everyone else, and wasn't at Marineland, I still managed to get some photos from the dive, strange as that seems

http://www.scubapost.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2054

Scott

 

[Frank O]

Then we all saw it: The Weirdest Looking 2.5-foot-long pre-historic fish-THING, coasting along in the cold black water, oblivious to our triple-HID blasts.

A Spotted Ratfish (http://www.elasmodiver.com/spotted_ratfish.htm)

Wow, very cool! I've been keeping an eye out for them for a long time, but have yet to see one locally.

 

[Frank O]

I still managed to get some photos from the dive

http://www.scubapost.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2054

Scott, your pictures are getting seriously good!

 

[HBDiveGirl]

wow, I guess I wasn't there. Even though I didn't show up at 7 with everyone else, and wasn't at Marineland, I still managed to get some photos from the dive, strange as that seems

http://www.scubapost.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2054

Scott

SCOTT!!! Of course you were there, (at 0715 ) and we had a ton of fun in the parking lot and seeing the beautiful spotted harbor seal during our parallel entries at the point!!

I need to increase my Anti-Id-Yut meds so I will hopefully be less of one in the future.
Forgive my complete lack of SitAwareness. I got target fixated, and focused the report around the fun SCRUE U contingent that I descended with. Your wonderful photos are great to see, thanks!

You were wonderfully "there", and I'm so glad.

Just whomp me gently upside the head again if my meds wear off... again .

Claudette :14:

And, Frank ! You wrote:

Wow, very cool! I've been keeping an eye out for them for a long time, but have yet to see one locally.

... talking about the Spotted Ratfish we saw in the Canyon last week. Come and join us this Thursday night (6/29), if you can! I can't promise another Spotted RF, but we're Very Likely to spot the Rare Oceanside Wetrat finning about in the canyon. I think he'll be available for photo opportunites. (I wonder if we have to offer frozen cod, as per MaxBottomTime's photo subjects??? Maybe this Wetrat would prefer Peet's Latte?)

~C~

 

[radinator]

I can verify the spotted ratfishiness of last Thursday, and plan to be there to witness any spotted ratsifhiness this coming Thursday. Come on out Frank! Even if the ratfish is hiding, you'll get a chance to see a wetrat and a soaked possum.

 

[riguerin]

Date: 6/25/06
Dive Location: Casino Point, Big/Little Casino Reefs
Buddy(ies): Brandon
Time: 11:25 am
Bottom Time: 60 min
Max Depth: 50 fsw
Vis: 30 ft
Wave height: 0-1 entry, 1-2 exit
Temp at depth: 65 F
Surface Temp: 69 F
Tide information: NA
Gas mix: 21%

Comments: Summer crowds suck! You know it's bad when you live with in visual distance of the Dana Point Marina and can't get the Catalina Express with a couple days notice. Any way, we were able to get on the 7:30 am out downtown Long Beach. The boat was late departing and had some technical difficulties along the way. We finally arrived at Casino Point and claimed a spot around 10:30 am. There was already a crowd … albeit, lighter than I would have expected. Topside conditions were a partially cloudy with some light winds out of the NW ... surface had a light bump on it.

After gearing up, we finally entered the water and made our way to one of buoys. After final checks & OK, we descended. Temps were toasty, and vis was spotty … generally around 30 ft. Upon reaching the bottom, we hung around the line for a bit to get acclimated, and then slowly started moving toward the East end reefs. We stopped briefly and checked out the Cousteau plaque for a bit, then started making our way toward the outer ledge and Big Casino Reef. We kept our max depth between 40-50 fsw. We eventually made the turn and headed up to the shallower section of reef before turning back toward the West. We poked around the rocks as we slowly made our way back. Along the way, we encountered much of the usual reef creatures, however, it seemed like there weren’t as many fish as usual. We reached the buoys ahead of schedule (1000+ psi each), but decided to it was a good dive and headed up.

Upon reaching the surface, the topside conditions had deteriorated significantly. A rapidly approaching system of disturbed weather had moved in during our dive. There were some strong NW winds, substantial surface chop, and a current running on the surface. The exit was a little rough, but we managed.


Date: 6/25/06
Dive Location: Casino Point, West End Wrecks/Reefs
Buddy(ies): Brandon
Time: 2:34 pm
Bottom Time: 57 min
Max Depth: 66 fsw
Vis: 40 ft
Wave height: 1-2 ft
Temp at depth: 67 F
Surface Temp: 70 F
Tide information: NA
Gas mix: 21%

Comments: The topside conditions continued to deteriorate during our surface interval. The winds continued to pick up, with gusts approaching gale force. I ran to Dr. Bill at the fill station and chatted for a bit. He mentioned that a similar micro-burst had moved in yesterday afternoon making for some challenging dive conditions. He mentioned that it did eventually lay down. The park started clearing out. However, we decided to have some lunch and hang out for bit. Eventually, the winds did calm down enough to make safe entry/exit.

For the second dive, we decided to hit the artificial reefs on the West end. Upon descending, we headed out toward deeper water and soon ran into the glass bottom boat. We poked around for while, before heading over the Kismet. While we were exploring this wreck, Brandon communicated that he took a hit from little orange nipper-snapper who was all jacked up on hormones … sneaky little sucker got him on the finger when he wasn’t looking. We laughed and continued. Went past the tires … eventually reaching the dive platform. As we were exploring the platform, a nesting Garibaldi made a few kamikaze runs at me as I approached his nest. When my attention was diverted to signal turn, the little turd moved in a nipped my left index finger. Ooooouch … we’re out of here! We started headed in. The Crusado plaque still managed to elude us somehow. We made the turn East and worked the reef line back. We stopped and checked out a little octopi who was holed up in the pier remnants. We somehow managed to blow past the buoys and started our ascent when dictated by remaining air supply. We had a little bit of a surface swim back to the steps and another rough but successful exit.

There was plenty of time for a third dive. However, we decided that we'd already had a couple fun dives. Instead, we decided to pack it up and spend a little time in town. We had another round of our ongoing mini-golf grudge match. I started strong with a birdie on the first hole, but then blew up on a couple holes. The kid played strong … I had to play catch up. It came down to the last two holes. I railed my tee-shot on the 17th for a hole-in-one and picked up another stroke on the 18th to tie it up. Next, we hit Antonio’s for pizza and beers (root beer for the kid) over looking the water ... conditions looked like were glassing off. Then finally hot Stone Cold Creamery for some ice cream before making our way back to catch the 7:30 PM back to LB. All-in-all, a long and fun day of adventure highlighted by B-Boy's awesome first OW DS dives. Good job, little buddy.

 

[neophyte]

wow, I guess I wasn't there. Even though I didn't show up at 7 with everyone else, and wasn't at Marineland, I still managed to get some photos from the dive, strange as that seems

http://www.scubapost.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2054

Scott

I too focused on the SCRUE U angle in my report, and you did get some great pictures.

On the other hand, let's not get too insulted here; I was referred to in your post as both "etc." and "one of the dirs".

I actually couldn't remember your name and thought "one of the non-dirs" or
"that other guy" or something to that effect sounded rather insulting. You now have both a face and a name linked together in my mind and can bet your presence won't be overlooked in a report of mine again, not that I ever actually post reports.

Sorry Scott, you were there and I'm glad.

Adam

 

[scottfiji]

I I was referred to in your post as both "etc." and "one of the dirs".


Adam

see Adam, I mentioned you twice! lol

dont worry Adam, you're in the clear, its Claudette who will shown one less Sea Mouse underwater as punishment

hope to see you at Redondo soon

Scott

 

[Roughwaterjohn]

Brian, John, Stephanie and I dove the Shores Saturday morning. My schedule was a little too hectic this weekend to write up the report, and at this point, it's probably moot anyway. Here are the photos though. Surge didn't pick up until we were in the sand flats photographying the Pipefish, as the photos can attest. If you look close at the second Pipefish photo, you can see three of the big guys (the smallest was about 12" long)

John A.