2014)

October 19, 2014 Joseph Leave a comment

Congratulations to Advanced Open Water divers David Didomenico, Ryan Abelman, Norman Mercado, Jimmy Huynh for completing their Advanced Open Water certification this past weekend (10/17 thru 10/19) . Over the past few days I was very fortunate to have them as students who were very passionate in learning and improving their scuba diving skills.

From left to right: Student David Didomenico, Student Norman Mercado, Student Ryan Abelman, Instructor Joseph Huynh, fun diver Richard Ho. @ Heisler Park, Laguna Beach

Training requirements:

Attend Briefing Session and Complete Assignments.
Attend Pool Session if you are required to do so by Instructor
Complete “Navigation Dive”
Complete “Deep Dive”
Complete “Night Dive”
Complete the Two additional “Elective Dives”

Group photo with Instructor Manami Imagawa's Advance Class and her fun divers at Veteran's Park — Group photo with Instructor Manami Imagawa’s Advance Class and her fun divers at Veteran’s Park

Itinerary included: Training included pool a training session (Friday), 2 morning dives (Deep dive, Underwater Navigation) at Veteran’s Park (Saturday), 1 night dive at Veteran’s Park (Saturday), and 2 morning dives (Search & Recovery, Underwater Naturalist) at Heisler Park (Sunday)

Advance Open Water (10/18/2014)

Dive 1: Deep Dive
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Start time:   9:17AM
Max depth:   98 ft
Surface temp:   72 degrees
Bottom temp:   64 degrees
Dive Time:   35 minutes

Dive 2: Nagivation Dive
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Start time:   11:41AM
Max depth:   65 ft
Surface temp:   70 degrees
Bottom temp:   64 degrees
Dive Time:   29 minutes

Dive 3: Night Dive
—————————-
Start time:   6:28PM
Max depth:   67 ft
Surface temp:   72 degrees
Bottom temp:   68 degrees
Dive Time:   26 minutes

Dive 4: Search & Recovery
—————————-
Start time:   9:37am
Max depth:   21 ft
Surface temp:   68 degrees
Bottom temp:   68 degrees
Dive Time:   60 minutes

Dive 5: Underwater Natuarlist
—————————-
Start Time:   11:58AM
Max depth:   34 ft
Surface temp:   70 degrees
Bottom temp:   68 degrees
Dive Time:   49 minutes

Learning knots for Search & Recovery dive skills.

Last dive group photo before they were AOW certified

Scuba

Seals & sea lions of Anacapa Islands

Video October 9, 2014 Joseph Leave a comment

Scuba

Crossing the Channel Islands – Anacapa

October 6, 2014 Joseph Leave a comment

A dive trip to the Anacapa Island this past weekend with friends (Sara, Goy, Non, Ning) to say farewell to our good friend, Tawin Yavapolkul, who will soon return back to Thailand. I have to say of the times I’ve been to the Channel Islands, this trip was the best diving conditions I’ve seen. At least 100ft visibility, 68 degrees, and minimal currents. Overall 3 dives (1 at the Goldfish Bowl, and 2 at the Cathedral Cove) with the best dive being the last when playful seals gave us a show of a lifetime.

The island’s name was derived from its Chumash Native American Indian name Anypakh. Seeming to change shape in the summer fog or afternoon heat, the three islets of Anacapa look like an island of deception or a mirage.

The rocky shores of Anacapa are perfect resting and breeding areas for California sea lions and harbor seals. The raucous barking of sea lions can be heard from most areas of the island. Two overlooks (Cathedral Cove and Pinniped Point) provide excellent spots to look down on seals and sea lions in the island coves. Anacapa’s rich kelp forests (ideal for kayaking, snorkeling, and diving) and tidepool areas provide visitors with the opportunity to meet some of the resident ocean animals up close.