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An odd collection of dive reports and weirdness spawned from the underwater paradigm.
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Night Dive at La Jolla Shores 3/16/09
Date: 3/16/09
Location: Vallecitos Point, La Jolla Shores, San Diego
Visibility: 10 feet
Temp: 58F
Bottom Time: 67 minutes
Max Depth: 74 fsw
Surge: None to light in the shallows
Surface Conditions: Wind chop, light swell
Buddy: Mike (SoCalSwami), Terry (Divinman), Spencer and Laura
I arrived quite early and made two observations. First, it has become increasingly difficult to determine where the beach ends and where my vehicle begins. My floor mats are host to miniature sand dunes. Seawater freely sloshes about in the plastic bins I use to transport wet dive gear. And a residue of sea salt has taken up residence on my exterior. Second, it takes seven city employees to weld a lifeguard tower. One to weld, two to stand over the guy welding and drink coffee from 7-11, two to blatantly ogle sunbathers, and two to smoke cigarettes.
Met up with Spencer and Laura first around 6:30 pm, then Terry arrived with his main squeeze Soraya, and then Mike. We geared up, completed our surface swim and Mike, Terry and I dropped down to about 50 fsw and pretty crappy vis. Mike and I lost Terry right away but knowing his experience level, it wasn’t really a concern. We worked our way west and down into the canyon, then headed south along the 70 foot contour. Soon we were at Vallecitos point and there was plenty of life on the ledges and in the muck holes. We saw rockfish, several excellent octopus specimens and some smaller stuff, including A LOT of shrimp, a few nudibranchs and gobys and blennies of all races creed and color. Highlights for me were seeing a free swimming cusk eel and my first ever sea porcupine. J
At about 1,400 psi we turned the dive and started east across the sand. Vis was still only around 10 feet and I was having difficulty keeping my mask from fogging. Our lights were plenty sufficient to keep track of each other though. I was determined to drop two pounds off my belt and was successful, and I was being really careful to vent my wing and dry suit to remain slightly negative. We ran across a few tiny crabs, some little round stingrays and a beautiful Hermissenda on the return leg, and surfaced in about five feet of water after a nice 67 minute dive.
We had a few good laughs as we doffed our gear, debriefed on the critters we saw and everyone headed home having cheated death once again. It was truly a pleasure meeting Spencer and Laura, diving with Mike once again and I might add that Terry seems quite relaxed and happy these days. Perhaps we have Soraya to thank for that. :-) |
Posted: 7:08 PM, 3/17/2009 |
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