Diver dies after getting caught in rocks.

[Rainer]

Is it the area commonly refered to as the "washing machine" located on the point directly under the appartments on the cliff? ---between Divers Cove and Fishermans cove (Aka Boat Canyon?)

That's been my understanding. In that area under the apartments are a few cracks, of which GC is the most prominent (I take it).

 

[Rainer]

Is Diver's Cove the same as Shaw's Cove?

No, it's two coves away (to the west).

 

[Doug Charney]

No, it's two coves away (to the west).

Okay, that makes sense, I was a little confused becaused the steps looked the same.

Thanks.

 

[Scot M]

Here's an aerial view of the crack.

 

[wth]

Man, we were playing in this crack before. Didn't know it's that dangerous.
Guess I'm not going near it again.

 

[DwayneJ]

Sadly, it really comes down to what the wind, tide, and swell are doing at the particular moment.

I'm not a huge fan of beach diving ever since a buddy had a tank slip out of his harness in the surf pulling his regs away with it.

Dwayne

 

[diver_doug]

I'm with Rainer as far as regarding Diver's Cove as being about the least dangerous dive site in laguna. Short walk to the water, typically very little surf, typically light surge and nothing really dangerous going on with the exception, evidently, of giggle crack. I've stood on the rocks (in beach clothes, not SCUBA gear) and looked down into the crack...pretty cool looking crevice but certainly not something I ever thought about checking out while diving; definitely looked dangerous. In fact, I stay about 5ft away from that whole rock formation...10ft when it's surgy.

 

[muddiver]

The misconception I am seeing here is that the coves along the Laguna cove are benign and safe. Maybe during slack tide and mild wave conditions. If the swell and surf are out of the south from Mexico, it can be pretty interesting anywhere along the west and south facing beaches, including most of Laguna.

For anyone that has not done some California beach diving, any California beach can be a diving challange. We have "Surf!" Most scuba diving locations where beach diving is the norm do not have surf as regularly or a large on a regular basis than here on the west coast.

Also, I'm with DwaneJ, I pretty much gave up beach diving when I got a dry suit. Way too much sand to clean out of the crack of my a** :mooner:

 

[blue steal]

Last weekend the VIS was reported as 30'+, great for laguna and 1-2' surf. Then three weeks ago it was 5' VIS and 3-5' surf and some heavy surge. Just never know.
Our prayers go out to the family.

 

[Selchie in LB]

I've been following this post as I was shocked to hear of this incident. I have done a total of 6 dives from Laguna Shaw's Cove. The 1st 4 were my OW cert dives. The last two on the holiday weekend. The 1st dives were fairly rough beach entries and exits for noobies 2-3 ft waves with an occasional 4ft! It has always seemed to have a surge when I dove. I have since dove Veteran's Park Redondo which makes Laguna look like walking on water.

I wish we had more details because the story only says that the diver was stuck and his buddy left to get help. As a noobie, I am trying to understand why he couldn't have gotten out of his BCD or drop fins or something and buddy breath? I understand that dropping a BCD would result in a rapid ascent, but considering the alternative? I guess I just want to know. I shakes me up.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family. This is tragic and there are no words to assuage the grief.