The stairs at Casino Point (griping and venting thread)

[socaldiver]

In your response above, outside of Casino Point the Ring Rock area is the only place we can dive around Avalon?

Oops. A couple of years ago when we were over there, the Park was jammed (more than usual it seemed), so we hauled our gear down to Descanso and did a dive along the cliffs. I didn't realize that was a no dive zone, and nobody said anything to us.

 

[Mo2vation]

Everyone should have been at the Park today. For a Saturday, it was incredibly quiet... few beautiful mermaids to meet (the purpose for my surface intervals, otherwise I'd be underwater the whole time).

HOWEVER, I was near the harbor (Sujac) end of the park today with my buddy Kathy. We were 15-20 yards from the end of the park when I heard a strange noise- an outboard engine coming from inside the park and close. I stopped and looked up (in about 12' of water) to see a Rent-a-Boat pass directly over my head. I surfaced and started yelling "expletive deleteds" at the idiot, who looked back and sneered. I was starting to head towards him when I saw a harbor patrol boat coming to intercept him. He was still INSIDE the park when they got there.

Between this, and the OTHER Rent-A-Boat that entered the park an hour later, and the two that did it simultaneously several weekends ago, and the numerous kayaks, and the lacxk of etiquette on the stairs... Lorraine Sadler (charter member, Women Diver's Hall of Fame) and I are going to get together with the other instructors and dive shops here to get a standard set of rules prepared, approved by Council and posted clearly at the park.

Fortunately we now have a diver (Bob Kennedy, co-owner of ScubaLuv) on the city council so I'm sure we'll get some serious attention.

I keep saying... summer is almost over, summer is almost over.

Doc

I was there the week TWO boats came into the park. Unreal. Kayaks are there all the time... but two motor boats? Remember how one clown fowled his prop over the rope and had to get towed.

Anyone who's never seen mild mannered, mellow Bill turn into gardian-of-the-park-Bill and let fly with a deep, loud, bellowed @%#&$$ hasn't really had the fill experience of diving the park on a Saturday afternoon.

Rock on Bill.

K

 

[drbill]

Funny you should mention that Ken. I was just chastised yesterday by a local dive instructor for shouting at kayakers in the Park. In his words "what harm do they do?" I don't like yelling since it makes me look like some belligerant *ssh*le but the kayakers cannot hear you if you don't. Of course I try to include "please" and if they respond "thank you."

I am talking to as many of the local dive pros as possible to get their opinions on what should be done to make the park a safer, more enjoyable place than it already is. I think there is no question rules need to be clarified and all users (including snorkelers) educated about them including posting of better signage (on the boundary line as well).

For example, the Harbor Dept. says there is nothing they can do about the kayaks because they are not motorized. I consider them a potential hazard if mnoving through the park and a diver surfaces in their path. Some don't see that.

Last weekend there were at least FOUR Rent-A-Boats that entered or tried to enter the park in a single day, including the one that went right over my head. No one disagrees (including the owner of the boat rental company who I spoke with yesterday) that these powered vessels pose a serious hazard and need to be stopped. More large floats on the park boundary line and better signage would help.

Other than the power boats, the snorkelers remain a significant (although not really serious) problem. It is fine that snorkelers use the park, but they must be educated about blocking the stairs and the "fairway" between the stairs and the drop-down buoys. Too often they stick in that one area, blocking all divers.

Time to head down to the Park. Have a great weekend everyone.

Dr. Bill