First Dive 2011

We got into the water on April 23. The swell report showed a reasonably-calm spot Saturday and the winds were expected to cooperate. People on NCUH were reporting great visibility in some spots. We tried a new (to us) shore access north of Jenner, though not far enough north to get the good vis, apparently.

The first dive of the season is a check-out for us, and this was no exception. Not only was there new gear making it's debut, but we also took along my almost-13-year-old son, Julian, for his first-ever dive. I made it clear on the drive out that this was about getting him in the water - not about him getting abalone, which, it turned out, was how it...err...turned out.

People frequently tell me they want to try diving. Maybe it has to do with my ranting about how great it is. Maybe it's because I feed them abalone and they want more. Honestly, my reason for diving is simply to be there, in the Pacific. The hunting and the food and the trophy shells are really all just an excuse for getting me in the water. It's hard to describe the feeling for me. Just think of the strongest synonym you can for 'bliss' and you're getting close, but it really isn't easy.

I lost my new mask and never-before-used snorkel while helping get Julian into his fins. Last time that particular piece of gear isn't either on my face or on my neck. Honestly, I know better. I towed him out through the break on the float. It was already clear that the panic was setting in. You can see it on new diver's faces. It's the same look that will cause them to consume eighty cubic feet of air in just a few minutes on scuba. The best thing you can do is distract, but when you add an ill-fitting wetsuit, the timer is ticking on hypothermia as well. I managed to get him off the float to check weighting and have him try putting his head underwater a few times, then one of us just stayed with him while the other found some dinner.

I wasn't expecting any trophies, but when I pulled a round, tall eight who was back-out of a hole (could have sworn it was bigger,) my heart sank a little. Sorry little guy. I swam back and got that into the float and Pat gave me the "not much longer" vibe on the kid. I just dropped right there by the float, found a crevice, measured about ten snails, went back for the biggest and popped him, all on one breath. At least he was a nine. Back at the surface it was snail-and-gear-into-float and start towing the kid back to shore.

The spot was too hard for a beginner - even with the calm seas the entry and break were too exposed. Once in, the diving was easy and any depth with lots of snails - but the visibility was in the 3-5 range and towing a shivering kid around makes you feel rushed. We both missed our kayak, so I really need to get my truck up and running ASAP! In the end, one lost mask and snorkel, one smiling kid, gear checked-out, some amazing dinner (and lunch.) Totally worth it.