I've forgotten how to dive

[MaxBottomtime]

With poor conditions, large surf, and missed opportunities I have only made a few dives this year. Until yesterday, they had all been under my boat in the marina. We finally got out on the ocean yesterday, enjoying close encounters with eight Giant Sea Bass at Hermosa Artificial Reef. Because of all the dock dives, I forgot that my camera was in back-button focus mode. All of my shots were out of focus.

This morning Merry and I headed to Golf Ball Reef for some macro action. My camera worked fine, but my drysuit dump valve broke as soon as I reached the reef. I had repaired it with glue recently, but it didn't hold well. I took three photos before aborting the dive. I'll spend tomorrow drying my suit. Hopefully, I can get in a normal dive before 2021 is over.

 

[drrich2]

At least you're diving. I feel like a toad reminiscing about being a tadpole. I would've liked to've seen those giant sea bass!

 

[tursiops]

I feel like a toad reminiscing about being a tadpole.

Great line! Exactly! yeah, I remember when (fill in the blanks).

 

[brownie]

I would've liked to've seen those giant sea bass!

Ditto for me.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

The conditions have been sucking bad up here too. I have not been in the water yet this year.
The surf never goes down below 10-12 feet anytime I have a chance to get out.
Now I’m bogged down making plates so other people can go diving and I’m stuck in the shop.
I should have stuck with surfing!

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Ah, but hundreds of happy divers know the name of Eric Sedletzky. Your fame should help ease the pain of your dry gills.

 

[Julius SCHMIDT]

Surfing now that's really being at one with the ocean

 

[Gareth J]

We have been in lockdown since November. So no travel other than for essential business. That means no diving for me. (In addition, we are not supposed to do activities that involve risk, which could involve the rescue or medical services).
I think this is the longest period I have been out of the water. The way it's going I'm going to have to learn to dive again.

Joking aside. We have a 'novice' trip in mid April. We have just been discussing if it will go ahead. Lockdown is unlikely to be lifted before early to mid March.
Even assuming accommodation and restaurants are allowed to open. We will still have the issue of the break in diving that the new divers have suffered. The point of the trip is for them to get the opportunity to enjoy some coastal diving, not to be worrying about their basic skills.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Nothing worse than a drysuit malfunction in cold water. Look on the bright side ... at least you're in SoCal and not the frozen tundra of the upper Midwest & Great Lakes where the water is now primarily in solid form!!

 

[rhwestfall]

I got exactly 1 dive in for 2020...... With the ongoing border issues, 2021 is taking a hit for plans. It is painful as I am getting trip notices from my Charter operator up in Canada, and I can't sign up (spots will likely fill in).

Need to figure this out....