When not to dive Marineland

[DwayneJ]

Pardon my ignorance, but where did you find that buoy data? I had only been browsing the CDIP data and it indicated that the 9'+ swells were done and it had returned to the 7' area which was where it was last weekend.

I should have been more specific - Swells plus wind waves. Here's the current forecast... "Tonight...NW to N winds 10 to 15 kt...becoming N to NE after midnight. Wind waves 2 to 3 ft. W swell 3 to 5 ft at 13 seconds."

So current forecast is 5'-8' including both swell and wind waves.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Sometimes the models are correct, sometimes not. I usually look at the live cameras at Redondo Beach before going diving. Marineland is unique in that even two foot swells can be dangerous there. When walking over uneven, loose rocks on a slope with scuba gear on, any water movement can knock you down.
Knowing a dive site is important for your protection as well as your enjoyment. Entering from the center of the cove and going to the 120 Reef were bad enough, even in calm conditions.

 

[TroupH2O]

Very entertaining movie. It was a great start to a Monday morning.

Thanks

 

[DwayneJ]

Sometimes the models are correct, sometimes not. I usually look at the live cameras at Redondo Beach before going diving.

Like the Redondo Beach cameras, the buoy data is realtime. I spend a considerable amount of time on the water and agree the forecasts and models can be inaccurate.

Regards Dwayne

 

[MaxBottomtime]

There were similar conditions on February 21, 2009. Three divers attempting to exit, one makes it without getting knocked down. The guy on the lower right, who was diving without a hood on February 21st did not fare as well.
[youtubehq]<object width="853" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WxCBtwpT1eE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&hd=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WxCBtwpT1eE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="853" height="505"></embed></object>[/youtubehq]

 

[fisheater]

Hood? Heck, a crash helmet would be a better option.

Thanks, Max, for posting these videos. They're instructive, as well as entertaining.

 

[CompuDude]

Am I the only one who can't see the videos? I see "not available" under all of Max's posts...

 

[ligersandtions]

Feb. 2009 was a brutal month! Though the exit didn't look nearly as bad as the first video you posted (asymmetries's entry).

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Am I the only one who can't see the videos? I see "not available" under all of Max's posts...

Kalani, are you reading this at work? My company blocks Vimeo, YouTube and Google Video as well as most photo hosting sites.

 

[CompuDude]

Kalani, are you reading this at work? My company blocks Vimeo, YouTube and Google Video as well as most photo hosting sites.

Yes, but I AM the IT dept., so that's not it.

Youtube and Vimeo embeds come through fine, usually. (and I presume GV but that's rare and getting rarer)