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Posted in Unspecified
Introduced my friend, a new diver, to South Coast Divers
(http://www.southcoastdivers.com) After introductions were made, and
the shifting of gear, it was decided to dive Heisler Park this morning.
Conditions were calm, perfect for a new diver. As Rich and the gang
got geared up and made their way to the beach, my friend and I took our
time getting ready. My friend had a new wetsuit which was a struggle
to get on, due to it already being warm. I told her to take her time,
drink water, and spritz herself with baby shampoo to make her suit go
on a little easier. Once we were geared up, we were ready to go!
Ironically, my friend stated that probably the other divers (Rich and the
gang) would be coming out as we were going in. We actually bumped into
them at the surface as we were making our way out!
My friend was worried that she wasn't going to be weighted enough to
drop down, so we decided to drop down eary. I assured her, that I
thought that she would be fine. Bam! She dropped without any trouble.
Once down and bouyancy established, we made our way to the middle reef at
Heisler. Viz was not that good, but good enough! We felt like we
were in the main aquarium. HUGE fish everywhere: Kelp Bass, Calico Bass,
White Sea Bass, Topsmelt, Senorita's, Jack Mackeral, and GIANT Bat
Rays!!!.....Then, diving over the reef, something drew me into a crevice
that caused me to jump back.....the BIGGEST Horn Shark that I have seen
to date!!! His head had to have been about 18" in width. We saw the
usual critters, but everything was pretty *new* to my friend, so it was
fun showing her such things as Sea Cucumbers, Kellet's Welk, Kelp
Snails, Girabaldi nests, and Scallops...scallops were everywhere, I was
salivating!
After 45 minutes, we returned to shore, popped up in the wrong cove
(Diver's), gave the *OK* sign to the Lifegaurd and did our surface swim
back over to Heisler. Exited without incident. Praised my friend for
a job well done. I also told her that I thought she could easily drop
about 4 pounds of weight which she was glad to hear.
Topped the day off by spending the rest of the day and night at the
OC Fair. Spent quite a bit of time chatting with a gentleman from DFG.
I'll be repeating the same schedule tomorrow and attending the fair
again, for I won concert tickets from KLOS!!!
I plan on taking my camera tomorrow, so hopefully that Horn Shark
will be in the same place so that I can get some good pics of him.
Jan
9:27 PM - 7/28/2007 -
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