Sometimes I just shake my head when I realize that I’ve been diving with a buddy I’ve known for 30 years another who just got certified last week.
So it was with enthusiasm that I accepted an invitation to spend a day underwater with friends of long duration, Ann Geiger and Tari Hanneman who would be visiting from the east coast. Rounding out the group, Barnacle Busters regulars Sharon Wallin and Nixie Smith and their friend Mike.
Arriving in Avalon at 8AM-ish, I met the girls for breakfast, then moseyed to Catalina Scuba Luv to hug the lovely Tina Kennedy, sign waivers, load gear into the truck and head for the dive boat. Scrambler is a 54 foot Bertram with ample room for more than the six divers she carries. To make the day more delightful, I found that another old friend was our captain. I first met Bob Kennedy in 1984 when he and Tina ran the old Bayview Hotel in Avalon. He’s since served at mayor of Avalon and runs the dive shop with his wife Tina.
We headed towards the western end of the island where Bob thought there would be more kelp. Starlight Reef was the choice and he was right about the kelp. So much of the kelp forest has disappeared due to El Nino generated warmer water, it was pleasing to dive under the canopy. Now, last time we dived this site, a turtle and two seahorses were spotted, but not today. We saw lots of juvenile garibaldi, Spanish Shawls and abundant schools of blacksmith and an octopus grooming his nest.
Eagle Reef, always a favorite dive, was our second destination. We found no kelp but the reef structure was almost completely hidden by sargassum. I’m not sure if it was invasive or native, but there was a lot of it. In spite of the absence of kelp, numerous good sized abalone were hidden in the rocks. On the way back to the boat, I was thrilled to spot a huge school of 3-4 foot yellowtail, a fine ending to a fine day.
Visibility for the day was around 30 feet and water temp 63F, 5 or 6 degrees warmer than the California Science Center aquarium.
This was a day filled with laughter and reminiscence, finished off with cocktails, chips and salsa at El Coyote, then a well deserved nap on the boat home. Ahhhh…..