Venice Beach Dive Party!

[Debbraey]

We would love to join everyone..I will bring whatever...I am even willing to make potatoe salad....My only thing is I have a 9 year old son that is a non-diver and would need a non-diver to keep an eye out on him since we are both divers and he has no plans for that weekend..We (meaning all 3 of us) Like Venice...I will be diving both Venice Beach and Casperson this weekend..I rented a 2 bedroom apartment...Others are more than welcome to join, though this trip is without children so far...I will let everyone know the conditions after our return this weekend..We went the weekend of the 16th and the 2 prior weekends and the visibilty was 6 to 10 feet..The water IS HOT!!!!!!
:deadfish: I will also update the redtide info if there is any to be updated...
:scuba:
IF ANYONE NEEDS DIRECTION WE CAN HELP...I can also help with reserving 2 bedroom aprtments that are 85 a night (they also have fold outs in the livingroom) I have direct knowledge of several places including a few camp/rv sites too...

As far as fills go we were told the quickest turn around is Florida West cuba School 941-486-1400..I will let you know the quality after this weekend as we will be using to refill for Sunday morning dive after our planned dives on Saturday..

 

[MikeJacobs]

Wendy once bubbled... SNIP... Maybe staying where MikeJacobs is crashing so we can be close to the Margaritas and the beach.

I haven't figured the logistics out yet but one thing for sure: there *will* be a few buckets of margaritas! I promise to save you some Wendy, in case the Friday night activities get out of hand lol!

 

[Wildbill]

Dr. Jay, FallenMatt and myself went to Caspersens' area this past saturday and the viz was about 20+ feet we found a reef in about 21' and I could see the flag at the surface. Water was about 86 degrees and calm . We did not find many teeth but had a nice time anyway.

ReefGuy went to the Alhambra area on Sun. and reported the same conditions.

Hopefully the conditions will be the same for the 9th.

My MAIN Concern is going to be the parking. There is plenty down at Brohard Beach which is where we were Sat. I think we could set up grills and such right in the parking lot and sort of have a TAIL GATE Party.

Any suggestions Walter?

Wildbill

 

[Debbraey]

Why not @ Sharky's?? There are plenty of teeth of quarter size and smaller...many have found bigger...There is PLENTY OF PARKING...As long as you bring plastics and NO BOTTLES!!! BBQ in parking lot I don't see any problems...If someone is there early enough they can reserve a place that is large enough and close to the path for us all and then some...I have also heard a couple of dive shops wispering about "treasure hunts" getting groups together that particular weekend meeting at sharky's...

 

[Walter]

With a group this size, we might have to head for Sharkys, unless folks are staying close enough to leave their cars at their hotel. Parking is an issue at Alhambra, but the tooth hunting is better. Hunting at Sharky's is ok, at Casperson hunting is terrible.

 

[Wildbill]

Hey Walter,

We were at Brohard Beach which is about 1/4 mile south of Sharky's. Is this what you are talking about? Or can we actually go in near the pier. We did not find many teeth but seemed to be in the right areas. We came upon several areas that were covered with little black pebbles, like broken up teeth.

I just suggested this area so everyone can enjoy themselves including the non-divers. The trek from your vehicle to the water with your gear is a short walk across a boardwalk. Of course we will all have coolers, chairs, umbrellas etc.......

And like I mentioned in last post we should be able to do some Tail Gating in the Parking lot.

Just my $0.02

Wildbill

 

[MikeJacobs]

I'm told that there are already a couple of events in the area and perhaps if we worry too long about parking we'll have BOTH a parking AND a room issue as well. I'd rather deal with one or the other, but not both.

Just remember, nobody complain after the decison is made!

 

[Walter]

The two possible locations are not that far apart. This will not affect your room, delay in booking your room could cause a problem, but switching locations will not.

With the crowd we have, I'd say stay at Alhambra, if get gets much bigger, we'll need to switch to Sharkys. Caspersen is not an option.

 

[Debbraey]

Walter once bubbled...
With a group this size, we might have to head for Sharkys, unless folks are staying close enough to leave their cars at their hotel. Parking is an issue at Alhambra, but the tooth hunting is better. Hunting at Sharky's is ok, at Casperson hunting is terrible.

That was kinda what I was saying...I was just trying say as a suggestion so that no one got affended....And as for Caspersen I AGREE hunting there is like looking for a needle in the hay stack!!

I have been reading the board for a while and just never chose to input until I found this posting...This was a wonderful idea and brings all of us together to meet and maybe even find new regular dive partners....So many of us have our better/lesser 1/2s as our dive buddies and know few other divers...It would be nice to get with one of the local small efficiency type places there to give us a special rate for 2 or more trips a year (I will check where we are staying this weekend for future endeavors).....

Personally we go there (Venice) quite frequent and enjoy both the hunt and the quiet community (though this will be our first time to use air fills there we usually drive there early and head home stopping at Tshack to fill our Nitrox on demand on the way home).....
Have a great day all

 

[medical1]

:doctor: Hi Debbraey - am I your better or lesser half? If you don't get off the board and get some work done we won't be going diving on Friday We'll just have to settle for Saturday & Sunday.

PS: I'm bringing the Captain Morgan