When not to dive Marineland

[MaxBottomtime]

We've had a couple of days of high surf, so I knew conditions would not be good enough to dive Marineland this weekend. Merry and I decided to take the video camera and get a few topside shots I need. We saw two divers gearing up in the parking lot, so I talked to one of them, a visitor from Kansas about to make his first Marineland dive. I warned him about conditions but they were determined to get in. With all apologies, this is their story...
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[Oceanlife8]

WOW I am laughing so hard at someone else expense! Thank You for the video! But, now my wife will never want to dive there! Some people just are very determined. I wonder how there exit was...

 

[MaxBottomtime]

One guy had a 72 and used a lot of air during the pummeling. They were only going to the 120 Reef so the dive would likely be short, but we didn't hang around to watch. Exits in bad conditions are usually more exciting than entries.

 

[ligersandtions]

Heh, I can't help but to laugh....you really have to know when to call the dive, and this certainly was one of those times!

I ran over to Marineland yesterday just to check out how bad it was (didn't bring gear or even a buddy because I knew there was no hope of diving) and I took a couple pics with my phone. This is when you know not to enter at the point!

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I'm working on a video idea and need shots of divers entering in questionable conditions. I told Merry I was sure to find at least one at Marineland this morning.
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[fnfalman]

In the first video, it was kind of funny, but the guy that got swamped in the beginning could have been in a world of hurt. He wasn't prepared to get hit by the wall of water. Mask wasn't on the face, regulator/snorkel wasn't in the mouth, he almost turtled. That was a recipe for disaster.

It would have been sucked to come all the way from Kansas and not gotten to dive, but fighting a surf that even the local hardies wouldn't even go in...

 

[Peter_C]

My first thought upon reading your post was this is going to be good! I knew no one died so game on. My second thought is you have got to be kidding me? They are crazy. I have dove Marineland and know the rocks are ankle killers and all over the place. Even on a sandy beach the surf could easily knock someone over. Over rocks though? Even a surfer would find another spot or go home.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I wonder if the slightly easier hike, restrooms, shower and more parking has made divers think more accessible means easier entry/exit. Terranea only owns the land down to the mean high tide mark, so diving Marineland will always be tough.

 

[Codyjp]

Marineland must have some odd effect on people and cause them to to wierd things. I saw a guy once who ran himself over with his wagon but out of respect I didn't take nor post any pictures of the damage he inflicted on himself. It's hard to explain the things people do...

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Technically that was next to the condos, not at Marineland.