Channel Islands Quickie?

Islander · Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:08 am Post subject:

The weather seemed strange this weekend. The wind would be still, and the kick up big time. Then it would calm down.
It couldn't makle up its mind.

I went up to Santa Barbara yesterday to put the boat in the harbor for the July 4th festivities. Again no wind and hot and then it would howl. Meanwhile back at Oxnard cold and foggy!

But I still enjoyed getting out there with Steve on Saturday.

We will do an overnighter at Santa Cruz sometime this summer!

C-Hawk · Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:18 am Post subject:

Ron, Steve- Thanks for the report.
I'll be heading next weekend for some diving with my son. Hope the weather is better--- hope I'm feeling better!! Still congested, but feeling better today.

Dora~Jean · Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:42 am Post subject:

Roger, if you have/had anything like I did, don't count on the ears being right for a couple more weeks. Mine clogged up again Saturday, don't think they would have cleared. Probably another week for me. Also the diving wouldn't have happened this weekend especially where you wanted to go, current was high, seas quite rough on the front side of the islands (unusual) and not that great on the backside. There were also large breakers rolling in on the backside if we were to dive close in to avoid the current. Visibility poor all over, not what you'd call 'diving conditions'.

Going to Catalina (Isthmus) next Saturday through Tuesday. Taking a friend of Miles' sister to celebrate her birthday -- hey, ANY excuse works for me. 5 on board, 4 days, should be fun! Enjoy your weekend diving.

Also, July 22 we signed up for the Sheriff's "Star Dive" at Avalon. Good cause (contribution) and diving for 'hidden treasure' off the Casino.

C-Hawk · Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 6:42 pm Post subject:

Steve,

A friend made it out for a dive on Sunday- here's his report;

"Santa Cruz Island Dive Report Sun6/25"
Mon Jun-26-06 11:08 AM by andrew2

Quick hit the Island for a single tank out of CIH.

Strange conditions on the way out, fog, no fog, swell and wind was mixed.

Dropped the hook, stern ended up right over a favorite reef.

Suited up, wind changed direction, weather and seas became ominous looking, boat swung 180, now we had to swim into the reef. Girls on board said "don't go, it looks scary!".

Swam down anchor line, made sure we were set. 5 ft viz, murky.

At least I knew we would have an easy swim to the boat once we came up, right?

Played with a huge sheep crab.
Grabbed a good scallop with little air left, found a hole in the kelp and climbed the 5 stories back to reality.

150 yards from the boat, ahh, should be able to cruise with the wind to the boat....... but crap, the current swapped and it was a leg cramper all the way. Took 1/2 hour.

Scallop was great on deck, soy, wasabi.

Got waked a few times by idiots, but what the hell, that is expected right?

Can't wait to get out again!!