Need Recommendations for Redondo Bch??

[HBDiveGirl]

I got thumped pretty hard there on a day when it was nothing but ankle slappers. A couple of rogue 10-foot waves had me bouncing like a pinball across some rocks.
Here is the account of the dive that day:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=1172910&postcount=68
Christian

ohMyGosh, Christian! I remember that day, but rereading it makes me REALLY remember it! I think that was the day MaxBottomTime and I skidded into the cave, on our knees, using knee pads like runners!!! OUch. I remember the face of "my" overhead wave looked like a gray slurry of water and gravel. YUM!
I remember that you actually broke a bone in your hand on that exit.
I remember that we're all a little wiser now.

OML has been so gentle lately, but it's a sleeping dragon. Beware the smoke...

John is being a nice fellah to let us... well, uhm... "ME" :14: ... hijack his thread with my pontifications about safety.

He really would love to connect with some local dive buddies while he's staying in Redondo for work.

I'll be out of town the weekend he's visiting. He is a very enthusiastic new diver, with no surf/rock experience, eager to get a safe peek into SoCal waters. He's loving the springs and lakes in his area. If one of you generous souls reading this could PM him and connect during that weekend, that would be great. Conditions allowing, I'm hoping to dive with him when he first arrives and perhaps before he leaves. Vet's park, or a nice Malibu site.

Claudette

 

[CompuDude]

I'm a relatively new diver (~25 dives) from Florida looking for some recommendations on diving in the Redondo Beach Area Jan 17-24, 2007. I'll be in town for a couple meetings, and will have the weekend free at a minimum, possibly some late afternoon/evenings as well.

I'll need a place to rent tanks (DIN prefered) and weights, possibly a wetsuit if my 5/4 Bare isn't sufficiently warm. I wouldn't mind having a guide as well, since it's new territory and most of my diving has been lakes and springs.

Any recommendations on where to rent gear,dive locations, gear & guides would be appreciated. Sounds like there's some decent shore diving, which is fine since I don't have a lot of $$ to spend, but I wouldn't mind a short boat trip as well, if price is similar to FL (~$75 for a 2 tank dive a few miles offshore)

Thanks 'dette, for getting us back on track.

John, I'm not sure what my schedule is going to look like that week, but I'd be happy to join you at Vets Park (Redondo Beach) once or twice for a couple of tanks during that range. I work days, so we're either looking at a night dive (probably not the best plan for your first real surf entry, tho who knows what conditions will be like) or the weekend. I even have an extra DIN tank (I have 2x HP100 and 1x HP119) you could borrow.

I'm not sure which shops near Redondo rent DIN tanks, but I know Hollywoodivers (.com) usually does, which isn't far from me, so we might be able to work something out. (perhaps borrow one, rent one?) There may be closer shops that rent DIN, however, I just don't know. Anyone know? You'll alsmost definitely want a 7mm suit, however, and if you're DS certified, consider renting a drysuit, tho it's not essential.

For boat diving, check the schedule for the Peace (www.peaceboat.com) and see if there is room on any trips that weekend for the best boat dive experience in SoCal, and some great Northern Channel Islands diving. It's a bit of a drive from Redondo to Ventura, but it's not horrible, and it's worth it. The Magician (www.magicianscuba.com), out of San Pedro, is another excellent boat worth looking at if the Peace is booked, and that will show you some great Catalina Island diving. Also see www.californiadiveboats.com but the two I mentioned I regarded as among, if not the, best.

 

[LAJim]

... and then there are mornings like today in Shaw's Cove. Six inch waves, 40 ft. viz., 60 F, and an 83 minute dive. No wonder I left the house at 4:30 AM.

Jim

 

[SeaWorthy]

... and then there are mornings like today in Shaw's Cove. Six inch waves, 40 ft. viz., 60 F, and an 83 minute dive. No wonder I left the house at 4:30 AM.

Jim

Ahhh... Shaw's Cove... one of my favorites. Since I provided links to a couple of online articles on PV dive sites, might as well do the same for some Orange County dive sites, approximately 50 miles from Redondo Beach, about an hour drive, plus/minus.
http://www.saintbrendan.com/cdnmay02/ShawsCv.html (Shaw's Cove)
http://www.saintbrendan.com/cdnaug03/DvrsCv.html (Diver's Cove)
http://www.saintbrendan.com/cdnjuly02/Fishermans.html (Fisherman's Cove)
http://www.saintbrendan.com/cdnmay00/scoast5.html (Picnic Beach / Heisler Park)
http://www.saintbrendan.com/cdnjuly03/WestAvalonPrkWrks.html (Catalina's Casino Point)

Note: Fisherman's Cove has rocky entry/exit points (as well as a small sandy entry/exit area) and may not be advisable for beginner divers.

Loi