Scubaboard Westward Surge - Cool People, Cold Water, Warm Vibes

[lexvil]

Lots to see in the cold water

Some just like to chill

Other like to get lost in the bottle

Sea lions....I want to dive with sea lions. We struck out on Catalina except for the douchebag sea lion that appeared about 8 feet away while we were waiting in line to get on the ferry to leave. He flipped me the bird, mooned me, and swam away.....

Include a sea lion dive or 2 and Me and Kelly will try to fly out for it.

Jay

 

[lostsheep]

Tagged for Monterey or the truth aquatics boats; I need more dive buddies.

 

[diversteve]

Include a sea lion dive or 2 and Me and Kelly will try to fly out for it.

something like this? Anacapa is one of the northern Channel Islands. not my video

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

something like this? Anacapa is one of the northern Channel Islands. not my video

Adorable!

Sea lion diving can be hazardous. You have to have very good regulator control skills, reg recovery, purging skills, etc. because when they get you laughing so hard that you spit your reg you need to be able to recover and regain your composure so you can continue laughing at their antics without drowning yourself.

 

[Esprise Me]

There's also the risk of death by cuteness. I hear sea lion pups are especially hazardous in this regard.

 

[Scott]

I’d make the trip for a SoCal event.

 

[diversteve]

and leave the snorkel on the boat. easier to keep your mask that way..

one of the funnier things I've seen diving was a guy on our boat wrestling with a sea lion to keep his at the rookery off San Carlos (MX) I'll bet he thought that fluorescent red tip was a good idea when he bought it.

 

[MichaelMc]

I love hanging out with our ocean mammals.

Are there any good references of how their social (or defensive) interactions work to better understand our interactions?

 

[tennjay]

Sign me up. It is cool water, but there is so much to see.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I love hanging out with our ocean mammals.

Are there any good references of how their social (or defensive) interactions work to better understand our interactions?

I’m sure there are articles written about pinnipeds and their behaviors.
I’m no scientific expert about them, but I know enough to keep my hands to myself, and if I see a big male posturing and trying to intimidate me by blasting bubbles in my face, then I know it’s probably time to turn around and extricate myself from the situation. If that happens chances are they think you might be trying to scam on their honey.
Usually it’s the juveniles that do all the buzzing around. Just watch out for mama!
I’ve gotten in the water in the Bodega Bay harbor to clear line off crab boats and had a group of big lone males hanging out looking for scraps off the boats. I’ve had 900 lb males 5 feet away from me just staring me down watching everything I do. I just ignore them and keep working. Eventually they get bored and go away. Kind of a trip when you sense something moving in your peripheral vision, and when you look over there’s a giant head the size of a small fridge with big eyeballs staring at you. So far I’ve never been rubbed or pinned up against a hull but I know guys who have.