Skin Dive#:027
Sun August 17, 08
Christmas Tree Cove
Purpose: have fun with friends
Tide:
Gear: 5/3 suit, mask, snorkel, socks, gloves, fins
Temp: Air 72 F/Water 60 F?
Enviroment: sunny, 1 -2 ft breaks
Visibilty: 10-15ft
Conditions Synopsis: fair
Sights: garibaldi, opaleye, kelp bass, octopus, senorita
Time to date: 19 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 20 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: My girlfriend and I met up with our friends Dave and Jessica who drove down from Silverlake. They brought their masks and snorkels and were excited to go for a swim and see some things. We all got in the car and drove the coast route over to Christmas Tree Cove. I built up the place with my stories of fish and findings. When we got there it looked decent from the top so we hiked down and divied up the gear. Dave and I got in. The water was cold! Also, the water was very green and brown from all this dead plant matter and junk. The usual perch that previously always hung out at the cobblestones seemed to not be around and there was just less fish life in general as we swam up the left side. I saw an octopus and tried to get Dave to peep it but, it was hard to relocate the devil. Jess swam out to us, no wetsuit, no fins and we swam around and enjoyed the water. After a bit we swam to the middle of the cove and looked around in a new section of kelp growth. The water was murky. We eventually got out and lounged a bit and decided to drive over to Haggerty's.
Showing posts with label christmas tree cove. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christmas tree cove. Show all posts
August 25, 2008
July 14, 2008
Windy Water At Christmas Tree Cove
Skin Dive#:023
Sat July 12, 08
Christmas Tree Cove
Purpose: girlfriend to try wetsuit
Tide: High @ 6:00 pm
Entry: cobblestones @ 6:30 pm
Distance: reefs on left
Gear: 5/3 suit, mask, snorkel, socks, gloves, fins
Temp: Air 72 F/Water 66 F
Enviroment: overcast, windy, current, 1 -2 ft breaks
Visibilty: 10 - 15 ft
Conditions Synopsis: fair
Sights: topsmelt, opaleye, surf perch, garibaldi, senorita, octopus, calico bass, sargo,sea hare
Exit: same @ 7:00 pm
Time to date: 17 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 18 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: My girlfriend Lana tried on a size s/m men's wetsuit. She wiggled into it and put on my hard slippers and waded into the water. The water was not as calm as yesterday so I didn't want to bring her in for an introduction to the water. She stood on the slippery rocks and watched for small breaks. I geared up and went in and the fish seemed to be waiting for me at her feet. They probably saw her shadowy frame and came to watch. They dispersed as I swam in. I moved about and the vis was not as great as the day before. I swam around and came out after I had my fun. Lana's Dad was there too, we asked him to come with us to gte him out of the house. He had fun taking a peaceful nap and also playing with my ever so sneaky monocular. Near sunset a large family that was staked out at the point wrapped up their party and walked by us and then up the trail. The last guys up were carrying spear guns and had flippers, etc. We talked and they said they already caught, cleaned, cooked, and ate their catch. The two men fed a family party of about ten! What a great idea in these poor times of our further worsening economy.
-Seaschralped-
Sat July 12, 08
Christmas Tree Cove
Purpose: girlfriend to try wetsuit
Tide: High @ 6:00 pm
Entry: cobblestones @ 6:30 pm
Distance: reefs on left
Gear: 5/3 suit, mask, snorkel, socks, gloves, fins
Temp: Air 72 F/Water 66 F
Enviroment: overcast, windy, current, 1 -2 ft breaks
Visibilty: 10 - 15 ft
Conditions Synopsis: fair
Sights: topsmelt, opaleye, surf perch, garibaldi, senorita, octopus, calico bass, sargo,sea hare
Exit: same @ 7:00 pm
Time to date: 17 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 18 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: My girlfriend Lana tried on a size s/m men's wetsuit. She wiggled into it and put on my hard slippers and waded into the water. The water was not as calm as yesterday so I didn't want to bring her in for an introduction to the water. She stood on the slippery rocks and watched for small breaks. I geared up and went in and the fish seemed to be waiting for me at her feet. They probably saw her shadowy frame and came to watch. They dispersed as I swam in. I moved about and the vis was not as great as the day before. I swam around and came out after I had my fun. Lana's Dad was there too, we asked him to come with us to gte him out of the house. He had fun taking a peaceful nap and also playing with my ever so sneaky monocular. Near sunset a large family that was staked out at the point wrapped up their party and walked by us and then up the trail. The last guys up were carrying spear guns and had flippers, etc. We talked and they said they already caught, cleaned, cooked, and ate their catch. The two men fed a family party of about ten! What a great idea in these poor times of our further worsening economy.
-Seaschralped-
July 12, 2008
Another Treasure At Christmas Tree Cove
Skin Dive#:022
Fri July 11, 08
Christmas Tree Cove
Purpose: good conditions
Tide: High @ 5:30 pm
Entry: cobblestones @ 6:30 pm
Distance: reefs on left
Gear: 5/3 suit, mask, snorkel, socks, gloves, fins
Temp: Air 72 F/Water 66 F
Enviroment: sunny, 0 -1 ft breaks
Visibilty: 20+ ft
Conditions Synopsis: good
Sights: leopard shark, topsmelt, grunion, opaleye, surf perch, garibaldi, giant black sea bass, sheephead, senorita, octopus, calico bass, sargo, rockfish of some sort - dark
Exit: same @ 7:30 pm
Time to date: 16 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 1 hr
Total time: 17 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: I arrived with my girlfriend at Christmas Tree Cove with anticipation to skin dive in flat and clam conditions. Once looking over the cliff I was rewarded with the sight of still waters and a clear view of the rocks in the shallow waters. This would be good conditions. Once down I geared up and didn't even have to watch the set because they were nonexistent. Once in I popped out to exclaim that I see a hundred fish already. I was happy. I swam out further and then casually put on my fins. The opaleyes appeared humongeous to me. I didn't remember them being so large. I pushed further out. The kelp was seaming thickish compared to previous dives. It was all around. It wasn't packed, but noticeble. I swam to the left. The surf perch grazed and tried to get out of my way. I felt great, the vis was ideal and my body felt wonderful from bicyling 10 miles prior in the day. I noticed the water was still full of micro organisms. From the bottom of the water looking up, the organsisms appeared like a blanket of chicken feathers against a transparent ceiling. I tried not to think of the micro organisms that were surely in my mouth. The kelp was nice to see. I made my way to the reefs up the left side and the fish were very thick in size. They must have been eating plenty lately. I saw Mr. Octopus traveling in quick leaps. I noticed a teeny tiny shark looking fish only two inshes long on the bottom. I swam down but had a hard time fiding him again. My weights worked great. I was lightning quick. I played around in the rock formations and then headed back to the mouth of the cove. On my way I saw a thick kelpy area. I approached it have a peak. I saw a large fish with a catfish like mouth and very heavy looking black body. He layed quiet in the breezy kelp stalks. I pushed further and he lazily moved away out of sight. I followed him for thirty feet then lost him. He was a Giant Black Sea Bass. Not too giant tho, but defientely large in comparison to the usual crowd. I got near the cobblestones and snuck into some kelp. I saw through a window some very large surf perch eating. I inshed closer and they still didn't see me unitl we were nose to nose and then they scattered. The began circlign my kelp hold. One was extremely fat and quick. He frantically came around in a circle. He had a scar like stripe running long ways on his side. One big surf perch would of fed a small dinner party. I swam out to the middle of the cove to look in sand. On the way I saw large kelp bass that was about the size of the Giant Black Sea Bass. A weighty fellow. I got out to get a drink. I went up the middle again and to the left side. I saw a dark sheephead. It too had the same sad fat lips of the sea bass. It moved slow and I watched it from above. A school of larger skinny silver fish came by. I'm pretty sure they were grunion, they were nondescript and all the same tone. On the way back in a squinted at an object fifteen feet down. A knife! It was in a little bit of dirt but I could make out what it was. Shiny little part with matte black and a cord. I calmed my self breathed peacefully, floated flat, popped my ears and shot down. I had to actually kick hard to get down that far. I felt pressure on my ears. I grabbed it, looked up and kicked some more. Treasure was mine! I swam in and admired my find. It had guts on the blade and wasn't even a tad bit rusty. A hunter must have lost it if not a few days ago, earlier today.
Fri July 11, 08
Christmas Tree Cove
Purpose: good conditions
Tide: High @ 5:30 pm
Entry: cobblestones @ 6:30 pm
Distance: reefs on left
Gear: 5/3 suit, mask, snorkel, socks, gloves, fins
Temp: Air 72 F/Water 66 F
Enviroment: sunny, 0 -1 ft breaks
Visibilty: 20+ ft
Conditions Synopsis: good
Sights: leopard shark, topsmelt, grunion, opaleye, surf perch, garibaldi, giant black sea bass, sheephead, senorita, octopus, calico bass, sargo, rockfish of some sort - dark
Exit: same @ 7:30 pm
Time to date: 16 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 1 hr
Total time: 17 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: I arrived with my girlfriend at Christmas Tree Cove with anticipation to skin dive in flat and clam conditions. Once looking over the cliff I was rewarded with the sight of still waters and a clear view of the rocks in the shallow waters. This would be good conditions. Once down I geared up and didn't even have to watch the set because they were nonexistent. Once in I popped out to exclaim that I see a hundred fish already. I was happy. I swam out further and then casually put on my fins. The opaleyes appeared humongeous to me. I didn't remember them being so large. I pushed further out. The kelp was seaming thickish compared to previous dives. It was all around. It wasn't packed, but noticeble. I swam to the left. The surf perch grazed and tried to get out of my way. I felt great, the vis was ideal and my body felt wonderful from bicyling 10 miles prior in the day. I noticed the water was still full of micro organisms. From the bottom of the water looking up, the organsisms appeared like a blanket of chicken feathers against a transparent ceiling. I tried not to think of the micro organisms that were surely in my mouth. The kelp was nice to see. I made my way to the reefs up the left side and the fish were very thick in size. They must have been eating plenty lately. I saw Mr. Octopus traveling in quick leaps. I noticed a teeny tiny shark looking fish only two inshes long on the bottom. I swam down but had a hard time fiding him again. My weights worked great. I was lightning quick. I played around in the rock formations and then headed back to the mouth of the cove. On my way I saw a thick kelpy area. I approached it have a peak. I saw a large fish with a catfish like mouth and very heavy looking black body. He layed quiet in the breezy kelp stalks. I pushed further and he lazily moved away out of sight. I followed him for thirty feet then lost him. He was a Giant Black Sea Bass. Not too giant tho, but defientely large in comparison to the usual crowd. I got near the cobblestones and snuck into some kelp. I saw through a window some very large surf perch eating. I inshed closer and they still didn't see me unitl we were nose to nose and then they scattered. The began circlign my kelp hold. One was extremely fat and quick. He frantically came around in a circle. He had a scar like stripe running long ways on his side. One big surf perch would of fed a small dinner party. I swam out to the middle of the cove to look in sand. On the way I saw large kelp bass that was about the size of the Giant Black Sea Bass. A weighty fellow. I got out to get a drink. I went up the middle again and to the left side. I saw a dark sheephead. It too had the same sad fat lips of the sea bass. It moved slow and I watched it from above. A school of larger skinny silver fish came by. I'm pretty sure they were grunion, they were nondescript and all the same tone. On the way back in a squinted at an object fifteen feet down. A knife! It was in a little bit of dirt but I could make out what it was. Shiny little part with matte black and a cord. I calmed my self breathed peacefully, floated flat, popped my ears and shot down. I had to actually kick hard to get down that far. I felt pressure on my ears. I grabbed it, looked up and kicked some more. Treasure was mine! I swam in and admired my find. It had guts on the blade and wasn't even a tad bit rusty. A hunter must have lost it if not a few days ago, earlier today.
June 30, 2008
More Teaching At Christmas Tree Cove
Skin Dive#:018
Sun Jun 29, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: cobblestones, rocks
Purpose: teach friend
Tide: High @ 6:00 pm
Entry: rocks @ 5:15 pm
Distance: in front of cobblestones
Gear: spring suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, gloves
Temp: Air 70 F?/Water 65 F?
Enviroment: partly cloudy, light wind, 1-2 ft breaks, light surge
Visibilty: 5+ ft
Conditions Synopsis: poor
Sights: bait fish, opaleye, surfperch
Exit: same @ 5:45 pm
Time to date: 12 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 13 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: Prior to this dip I was stung by a bee while trying to get a look at a stray chicken in the Malaga Cove parking lot. Sound unusual? It was. My arm had a mild reaction to the sting a small area swelled and became discolored and burned. It went away by the time I was diving.
My sister's boyfriend Jonah wanted to try snorkeling so I had another chance to teach someone. Everything went fine and he had no problems what so ever. The vis was another story. It was the bare minimum as the water was cloudy with all kinds of junk wich, aggravated me since I made a spot check here an hour and a half earlier and was able to see the bottom all the way from the top of the cliff! I guess tides can change all that pretty quickly. So, Jonah and I entered calmly and talked out in the water while bobbing up and down and practicing diving shortly below the surface. He was wearing my full suit which, gave him lots of bouyancy. The fish we did see together were small and in low numbers and the water was dark and cloudy. I bet once he comes back on a 25+ vis day, he'll be quite astonished. That will be a fun day. The onlookers this day were my sister, my girlfried, and my girlfriend's friend from Canada. It was fun, but I wish the vis was anything but 5. It can only get better from there!. After we had our fun in the water the exit was calm as we timed it inbetween the small sets. After I calmed I went back in and saw the ususal schools of opaleye and perch. They like to huddle near the big rock in the shoreline. A lone spearpole-fisher with a hawaiin-barbed point walked by our group. He didn't don or carry a wetsuit. We commented on bad vis.
Sun Jun 29, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: cobblestones, rocks
Purpose: teach friend
Tide: High @ 6:00 pm
Entry: rocks @ 5:15 pm
Distance: in front of cobblestones
Gear: spring suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, gloves
Temp: Air 70 F?/Water 65 F?
Enviroment: partly cloudy, light wind, 1-2 ft breaks, light surge
Visibilty: 5+ ft
Conditions Synopsis: poor
Sights: bait fish, opaleye, surfperch
Exit: same @ 5:45 pm
Time to date: 12 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 13 hrs 15 min
Special Notes: Prior to this dip I was stung by a bee while trying to get a look at a stray chicken in the Malaga Cove parking lot. Sound unusual? It was. My arm had a mild reaction to the sting a small area swelled and became discolored and burned. It went away by the time I was diving.
My sister's boyfriend Jonah wanted to try snorkeling so I had another chance to teach someone. Everything went fine and he had no problems what so ever. The vis was another story. It was the bare minimum as the water was cloudy with all kinds of junk wich, aggravated me since I made a spot check here an hour and a half earlier and was able to see the bottom all the way from the top of the cliff! I guess tides can change all that pretty quickly. So, Jonah and I entered calmly and talked out in the water while bobbing up and down and practicing diving shortly below the surface. He was wearing my full suit which, gave him lots of bouyancy. The fish we did see together were small and in low numbers and the water was dark and cloudy. I bet once he comes back on a 25+ vis day, he'll be quite astonished. That will be a fun day. The onlookers this day were my sister, my girlfried, and my girlfriend's friend from Canada. It was fun, but I wish the vis was anything but 5. It can only get better from there!. After we had our fun in the water the exit was calm as we timed it inbetween the small sets. After I calmed I went back in and saw the ususal schools of opaleye and perch. They like to huddle near the big rock in the shoreline. A lone spearpole-fisher with a hawaiin-barbed point walked by our group. He didn't don or carry a wetsuit. We commented on bad vis.
June 23, 2008
Aquarium Conditions At Christmas Tree Cove
Skin Dive#:015
Sun Jun 22, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: rocks, reefs
Purpose: Try weights and take advantage of great conditions
Tide: High @ 1:30 pm
Entry: cobblestone @ 1:30 pm
Distance: out to point on left side, twice
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood, gloves
Temp: Air 80 F/Water 68 F
Enviroment: sunny, hot and flat
Visibilty: up to 20ft+
Conditions Synopsis: Good
Sights: sea stars, urchins, garibaldi, calico bass, white bass, possibly young black bass, rockfish, treefish, senorita, opaleye, surfperch, sargo, sea hares, octopus, snails
Exit: same @ 3:30 pm
Time to date: 9 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 2 hrs
Total time: 11 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: As I was heading down to Christmas Tree Cove two spearfishers were coming up the trail and we chatted a bit about the great conditions. It was their first time there and they said they had fun and understand why it's sometimes referred to as 'Crystal Cove'. I agrreed and made my way to the bottom.
I geared up and and went in with a new addition to my skin diving (snorkeling) gear: 12 lbs of weight on a rubber belt. This was my first time using weights and boy did it increase the fun. I was able to stare down an octopus while on the bottom and practically swim with the fish. A couple times I banged on the lead weights with my knuckles and watched the fish change expressions. I was also wearing some cheap gardening gloves that did the trick real well of kepping my hands unscathed. I even managed to help a floating sea hare find a rock to sit on. Something that is funny that happened... I tried to entice a school of perch with my pale gloves. They seemed to almost be in a slight trance as I performed interpretive glove dances for them in the shallows! It was a great 2 hours in the water. At one point I got out for some liquid and went right back out. I practiced equalizing my ears. I can get down to over 10 ft. and feel comfortbale. In the middle of the dive I found a working flashlight. Out half way through the cove on the left here is a funny little rocky mini - tunnel. It's not completely covered so I dove into it and imagnined what cave diving must feel like. Also, I realized all the discarded spark plugs are what people used for fishing weights, shame. I'll have to bring a bag and collect and throw them away. Later in the week high tide will be conveniently timed after I get off work. I hope conditions stay great.
Sun Jun 22, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: rocks, reefs
Purpose: Try weights and take advantage of great conditions
Tide: High @ 1:30 pm
Entry: cobblestone @ 1:30 pm
Distance: out to point on left side, twice
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood, gloves
Temp: Air 80 F/Water 68 F
Enviroment: sunny, hot and flat
Visibilty: up to 20ft+
Conditions Synopsis: Good
Sights: sea stars, urchins, garibaldi, calico bass, white bass, possibly young black bass, rockfish, treefish, senorita, opaleye, surfperch, sargo, sea hares, octopus, snails
Exit: same @ 3:30 pm
Time to date: 9 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 2 hrs
Total time: 11 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: As I was heading down to Christmas Tree Cove two spearfishers were coming up the trail and we chatted a bit about the great conditions. It was their first time there and they said they had fun and understand why it's sometimes referred to as 'Crystal Cove'. I agrreed and made my way to the bottom.
I geared up and and went in with a new addition to my skin diving (snorkeling) gear: 12 lbs of weight on a rubber belt. This was my first time using weights and boy did it increase the fun. I was able to stare down an octopus while on the bottom and practically swim with the fish. A couple times I banged on the lead weights with my knuckles and watched the fish change expressions. I was also wearing some cheap gardening gloves that did the trick real well of kepping my hands unscathed. I even managed to help a floating sea hare find a rock to sit on. Something that is funny that happened... I tried to entice a school of perch with my pale gloves. They seemed to almost be in a slight trance as I performed interpretive glove dances for them in the shallows! It was a great 2 hours in the water. At one point I got out for some liquid and went right back out. I practiced equalizing my ears. I can get down to over 10 ft. and feel comfortbale. In the middle of the dive I found a working flashlight. Out half way through the cove on the left here is a funny little rocky mini - tunnel. It's not completely covered so I dove into it and imagnined what cave diving must feel like. Also, I realized all the discarded spark plugs are what people used for fishing weights, shame. I'll have to bring a bag and collect and throw them away. Later in the week high tide will be conveniently timed after I get off work. I hope conditions stay great.
June 21, 2008
Teaching A Friend At Christmas Tree Cove
Skin Dive#:014
Sat Jun 21, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: rocks, reefs
Purpose: teach a friend to snorkel and see fish
Tide: High @ 1:00 pm
Entry: cobblestone @ aprrox 3:00 pm
Distance: around shore and rocks with friend, out to point later
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 80 F/Water 68 F
Enviroment: sunny and hot 0-2 ft breaks, slight surge
Visibilty: 5-15 ft
Conditions Synopsis: Fair
Sights: sea stars, urchins, garibaldi, sea bass, rockfish, senorita, opaleye, surfperch, sargo, sea hare
Exit: same @ approx 4:30 pm
Time to date: 8 hrs 30 min
Total time this dive: 1 hr 15 min
Total time: 9 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: My friend Omar has heard me talk about snorkeling and really took interest in the subject. He is a complete newbie and I didn't mind offering him a crash course in snokeling off Christmas Tree Cove. Yes, it was strenuous for him but, he had fun and he accomplished it. Now that he has done a rocky shore snorkel, i'm positive he will have fun at a sandy entrance... We arrived and once looking over the edge off the hill I knew it was a clear day in the water. We got down and he barely slipped into an XL 4mm wetsuit I had purchased off ebay for a mere $60 and I drilled him on waves, tides, gear, and the usual stuff. I went in with my gear and had him wade out without fins to try the mask and snorkel in water. He had a hard time at first but I coached him and then we exited and grabbed the rest of his gear. Once in the water and trying to put on fins he fumbled in the shallows. He's actual not that athletic and I spent a lot of mental and physical energy getting him grounded. A little later we were off checking out the rocks on the left side after he showed me he was comfortable swimming and enjoying himself. About a half hour after starting, he said that the only fish he saw was the orange garibaldi which, astonished me as I pointed out and even swam through some schools of fish while with him at my side. He might have poor vision or just doesnt' have the eye for seeing fish. I told him to look closer for grey and brown fish, because there's lots of them. The exit was eventful. He managed to loose both fins in a break and I made him wade back and grab them since I was actually barefoot during this skin dive. We only had one pair of socks so I let him use them. Me being barefoot and him being virgin to rocks, we probably looked really awkard coming over the cobblestones. On our bellies we braced ourselves for the small waves that felt larger than life. Haha, I'm proud of him. He said he wanted to learn to snorkel and boy did he. Once we were both out and safe I had to go back in and get my kicks out on my own. I swam up the left side and enjoyed some new terrain and saw a cool sea hare on a lonely rock. The garibaldis were bold as always. By the time I exited the water signs of "not-so-high tide" was apparent. The rocks were showing their green algae in the open air. Tomorrow should be great weather again. I have some weights and a belt I've been meaning to try. I'll plan that for tomorrow.
-Seaschralped-
Sat Jun 21, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: rocks, reefs
Purpose: teach a friend to snorkel and see fish
Tide: High @ 1:00 pm
Entry: cobblestone @ aprrox 3:00 pm
Distance: around shore and rocks with friend, out to point later
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 80 F/Water 68 F
Enviroment: sunny and hot 0-2 ft breaks, slight surge
Visibilty: 5-15 ft
Conditions Synopsis: Fair
Sights: sea stars, urchins, garibaldi, sea bass, rockfish, senorita, opaleye, surfperch, sargo, sea hare
Exit: same @ approx 4:30 pm
Time to date: 8 hrs 30 min
Total time this dive: 1 hr 15 min
Total time: 9 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: My friend Omar has heard me talk about snorkeling and really took interest in the subject. He is a complete newbie and I didn't mind offering him a crash course in snokeling off Christmas Tree Cove. Yes, it was strenuous for him but, he had fun and he accomplished it. Now that he has done a rocky shore snorkel, i'm positive he will have fun at a sandy entrance... We arrived and once looking over the edge off the hill I knew it was a clear day in the water. We got down and he barely slipped into an XL 4mm wetsuit I had purchased off ebay for a mere $60 and I drilled him on waves, tides, gear, and the usual stuff. I went in with my gear and had him wade out without fins to try the mask and snorkel in water. He had a hard time at first but I coached him and then we exited and grabbed the rest of his gear. Once in the water and trying to put on fins he fumbled in the shallows. He's actual not that athletic and I spent a lot of mental and physical energy getting him grounded. A little later we were off checking out the rocks on the left side after he showed me he was comfortable swimming and enjoying himself. About a half hour after starting, he said that the only fish he saw was the orange garibaldi which, astonished me as I pointed out and even swam through some schools of fish while with him at my side. He might have poor vision or just doesnt' have the eye for seeing fish. I told him to look closer for grey and brown fish, because there's lots of them. The exit was eventful. He managed to loose both fins in a break and I made him wade back and grab them since I was actually barefoot during this skin dive. We only had one pair of socks so I let him use them. Me being barefoot and him being virgin to rocks, we probably looked really awkard coming over the cobblestones. On our bellies we braced ourselves for the small waves that felt larger than life. Haha, I'm proud of him. He said he wanted to learn to snorkel and boy did he. Once we were both out and safe I had to go back in and get my kicks out on my own. I swam up the left side and enjoyed some new terrain and saw a cool sea hare on a lonely rock. The garibaldis were bold as always. By the time I exited the water signs of "not-so-high tide" was apparent. The rocks were showing their green algae in the open air. Tomorrow should be great weather again. I have some weights and a belt I've been meaning to try. I'll plan that for tomorrow.
-Seaschralped-
May 31, 2008
Christmas Tree Cove, Yet Again
Below: I realized, most of the schools I've been seeing are senoritas
Below: girls on the usually uncrowded shoreline
Skin Dive#:012
Fri April 30, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: boulders, reefs, crevices, cobblestone
Purpose: swim for exercise
Tide: High @ 6:30 pm
Entry: cobblestone middle of cove @ 6:30 pm
Distance: 75 yds out to the right side of cove, also 25 yards to the left side
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 68 F/Water 60 F
Enviroment: partly cloudy, light wind, 2-3 ft breaks, textured surface, surge
Visibilty: 10 ft
Conditions Synopsis: Poor
Sights: garibaldi, topsmelt, perch, bass, senoritas
Exit: cobblestone middle of cove @ 7:00 pm
Time to date: 7 hrs 30 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 8 hrs
Special Notes: This time from the top of the cove the conditions did not look too good, the swell had picked up and there was some foam on the water. The same spearfishing from a few days ago was exiting the water. He said it's not so good. There was also a few young girls as an audience. That made it feel like a beach. I swam to the right, turned around after realizing only ten foot vis in the bestter spots then swam a little ways up the left side after playing near the cobblestones. The left side was definetley more clear overall. Less sand in the water, higher and dense bank of boulders from the start. I'll make sure to check that area out more. Heard it goes to a nice reef and crevices out by point.
-Seaschralped-
Below: girls on the usually uncrowded shoreline
Skin Dive#:012
Fri April 30, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: boulders, reefs, crevices, cobblestone
Purpose: swim for exercise
Tide: High @ 6:30 pm
Entry: cobblestone middle of cove @ 6:30 pm
Distance: 75 yds out to the right side of cove, also 25 yards to the left side
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 68 F/Water 60 F
Enviroment: partly cloudy, light wind, 2-3 ft breaks, textured surface, surge
Visibilty: 10 ft
Conditions Synopsis: Poor
Sights: garibaldi, topsmelt, perch, bass, senoritas
Exit: cobblestone middle of cove @ 7:00 pm
Time to date: 7 hrs 30 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 8 hrs
Special Notes: This time from the top of the cove the conditions did not look too good, the swell had picked up and there was some foam on the water. The same spearfishing from a few days ago was exiting the water. He said it's not so good. There was also a few young girls as an audience. That made it feel like a beach. I swam to the right, turned around after realizing only ten foot vis in the bestter spots then swam a little ways up the left side after playing near the cobblestones. The left side was definetley more clear overall. Less sand in the water, higher and dense bank of boulders from the start. I'll make sure to check that area out more. Heard it goes to a nice reef and crevices out by point.
-Seaschralped-
May 29, 2008
Christmas Tree Cove Again
Below: guitarfish are fun to watch and they can be a pleasant surprise.
Skin Dive#:011
Thur April 29, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: boulders, crevices, cobblestone
Purpose: take advantage of good conditions, swim for exercise
Tide: High @ 6:00 pm
Entry: cobblestone middle of cove @ 6:30 pm
Distance: 125 yds out to the right side of cove
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 68 F/Water 60 F
Enviroment: sunny, light wind, 1 ft ankle breaks, textured surface, light surge
Visibilty: 15-25 ft out by boulders
Conditions Synopsis: Fair+
Sights: garibaldi, black surfperch, sargo, calico bass, 4+ ft shovelnose guitarfish
Exit: cobblestone middle of cove @ 7:15 pm
Time to date: 6 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 45 min
Total time: 7 hrs 30 min
Special Notes: Again, from the top of the trail I could tell the visibilty was good. I entered in same spot and swam a little further out and was able to get closer to the rocks on the side due to decrease in surge. It was peaceful. Saw the usual of variety of fish. On way back lingered in one area and a small bait fish hung out with me at eye level. Silly little thing. There was also a couple large schools of medium sized fish I swam through. This would have been an ideal time to have a large net. Once I was done I ran into a large shovelnose guitarfish in about 5 feet deep of really clear water in the cobblestones. He was 4 ft or longer. I managed to follow him for 20 yards until a wave came and dirtied the water. He was majestic and wiggled like a snake. After seeign him I hung out in the general area waiting for him, did not see him again. I noticed that when the cobblestone is clear, fish love to be in this low level of waters and find me to be quite spooky upon seeing me. They really dart. It may have to be with the fact that I approached them from the water side of the area not the land side, and this left them with no initial and unusual warnings. One of these times I'll enter off the large rocks and swim into the cobblestones when there's no waves and look for the guitarfish again. He was cool.
-Seaschralped-
Skin Dive#:011
Thur April 29, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: boulders, crevices, cobblestone
Purpose: take advantage of good conditions, swim for exercise
Tide: High @ 6:00 pm
Entry: cobblestone middle of cove @ 6:30 pm
Distance: 125 yds out to the right side of cove
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 68 F/Water 60 F
Enviroment: sunny, light wind, 1 ft ankle breaks, textured surface, light surge
Visibilty: 15-25 ft out by boulders
Conditions Synopsis: Fair+
Sights: garibaldi, black surfperch, sargo, calico bass, 4+ ft shovelnose guitarfish
Exit: cobblestone middle of cove @ 7:15 pm
Time to date: 6 hrs 45 min
Total time this dive: 45 min
Total time: 7 hrs 30 min
Special Notes: Again, from the top of the trail I could tell the visibilty was good. I entered in same spot and swam a little further out and was able to get closer to the rocks on the side due to decrease in surge. It was peaceful. Saw the usual of variety of fish. On way back lingered in one area and a small bait fish hung out with me at eye level. Silly little thing. There was also a couple large schools of medium sized fish I swam through. This would have been an ideal time to have a large net. Once I was done I ran into a large shovelnose guitarfish in about 5 feet deep of really clear water in the cobblestones. He was 4 ft or longer. I managed to follow him for 20 yards until a wave came and dirtied the water. He was majestic and wiggled like a snake. After seeign him I hung out in the general area waiting for him, did not see him again. I noticed that when the cobblestone is clear, fish love to be in this low level of waters and find me to be quite spooky upon seeing me. They really dart. It may have to be with the fact that I approached them from the water side of the area not the land side, and this left them with no initial and unusual warnings. One of these times I'll enter off the large rocks and swim into the cobblestones when there's no waves and look for the guitarfish again. He was cool.
-Seaschralped-
May 28, 2008
Christmas Tree Cove
Skin Dive#:010
Thur April 28, 08
Christmas Tree Cove: boulders, gravel
Purpose: first time at spot, take advantage of good conditions
Tide: High @ 5:30 pm
Entry: cobblestone middle of cove @ 6:45 pm
Distance: 75 yds out to the right side of cove
Gear: 5/3suit, mask, snorkel, fins, socks, hood
Temp: Air 68 F/Water 58 F
Enviroment: sunny, light wind, 2 ft ankle breaks, textured surface, surge
Visibilty: 5ft near shore, mostly 15-25 ft out by boulders
Conditions Synopsis: Good
Sights: large garibaldi, surf perch, sargo, various kelp fish, large calico bass
Exit: cobblestone middle of cove @ 7:15 pm
Time to date: 6 hrs 15 min
Total time this dive: 30 min
Total time: 6 hrs 45 min
Special Notes: From the top of the steep goat trail the water looked a welcoming green and the kelp and some boulders were visible through the water. I also could see one fellow in the cove with free diving gear so I knew it must be a fine dive. Once down the dude was leaving and said it was 20 ft vis in the good areas and that he bagged a couple perch. He was right, after a short swim past the murkiness and into the middle of the cove the vis jumped to a solid 20 ft. If the sun was more above in the sky it would have illuminated the floor better. Now thinking about it, the vis was 20+ ft. I saw many fish and a couple legal sized bass. Fun place. Lots of eye candy. I used the dolphin kick to move around to try something new. It felt funny, but worked fine. I got out of the water when the sun was trying to hide behind the hill. Will come back with a friend. I also want to try the east side of the cove.
-Seaschralped-
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