"Wrinkles" Dive & BBQ
#1 / #2 (#58 & 59 for me)
cove at lifegaurd tower 2 / north beach
12:30 / 15:30
24' fsw / 31' fsw
24 min / 38 min
waves: 3-5' (medium) / 5-7' (powerful)
surge: 2-3' both dives
viz: 2'-3' / 1'-5' (mostly 4')
temp: 54 both dives
Charlie, Robert, Ana, LeeAnne / Adam
#1
Roberts 9th total dive & first beach dive, normal issues in the surf zone, lost my snorkel while Ana and I assisted Roberts entry. Hard to keep our group of three together in bad vis, surfaced several times to regroup. dove the kelp (which is doing very well in Malibu area). saw only I fish which bolted b4 I could ID. Had a seal with us during much of dive, nipped Roberts fin, got in all of our faces and swam / played with us for awhile. normal high surf exit, but Robert got out with just a lil' assist from me while Ana gallantly held my fins.
Long trek back to "camp", burgers and dogs, yummy! Adam had shown up while we were under and wanted to dive. I agreed to go in with him. This was also his first CA beach entry.
#2
Much bigger / stronger waves, closing out pounder style. short but wicked surf zone. We timed the interval and made entry, I donned my fins as soon as I could float (spring straps rock!) and got out without incident. Adam had some trouble with his fins and got nailed by a couple biggies. I went back to help him out and got pounded by a few myself. we eventually got past it and had a nice dive. good structure under the kelp saw a few Nudi's (spanish shawl, lemon drop & IDK's) one good size sand bass and a big calico bass, one kelpfish. one medium lobster (who held up his middle antenna at me), lots of rose anemone, spiny & bat stars plus the other usual suspects. At the turn around I indicated for Adam to lead and he did very well. Exit was again with big surf but we both got out standing up. Woohoo, worth getting wet over.
An adventurous day in the ocean and good times were had by all! Pizza and libations at BJ's in the Valley (ugh) after, where the camaraderie an good natured ribbing continued.
Josh
p.s. Both of the new guys did great, Adam is a local OC'r who posts on the news list, don't hesitate to dive with him, good buddy, listens well and stayed right where he was supposed to be, every time I glanced to my right there he was, even through the kelp. Robert is an LA guy and did great as well.
p.p.s "I saw a rock" bwahhahaha