Dive Report for Breakwater on May 2nd, 2025.
I recently posted to our Ad-Hoc dive forum a desire to dive something low stress, so I could check out some new equipment. I bought a new computer with air integration, and an alternate second stage and wanted to make sure it was all functional before starting Reef Check training the following week. Derek gave me the advice of picking Breakwater as a site to do a low stress dive and also gave me updates on weather via the Windy app. Oliver agreed to join me in the water. Weather was overcast until our second dive. Wind was about 4 knots and 10 knots on our second dive. Water temp was 57° and visibility was 15-20 ft.
Dive 1. We swam out to the 9th marker before descending and turned around near the end of the pier. Our dive was approximately 48 minutes, with a max depth of 45 ft and average of 35 ft. I’ve never committed myself to memorizing CA ocean taxonomy until I started studying for Reef Check and was happy to observe many fish, invertebrates and kelp that I could now name. We also saw an orange nudibranch about 3 inches long swimming in the column.
Dive 2. Oliver towed me out to the pipe, then to the metridium fields with his DPV. I’ve used a DPV once, but had never been towed before. Oliver said that towing is one way Reef Check gets divers to their transect sites. So, I learned a new skill. Our dive was approximately 41 minutes, with a max depth of 62 ft and average of 38 ft.
That’s the basics for my dive report. If you are interested in why I bought new equipment, and what life I saw and was able to name on sight, you may be interested to continue reading.
I recently upgraded to a Sheerwater Peregrine TX at Deep Ocean Explore and tested the link just a few days prior to the dive. I also was able to check that the new alternate second stage was working at the same time. When I started diving around 2018 I was given all my gear for free including an ScubaPro Air 2 interred power inflator. I’ve received feedback questioning if my alternate is as safe as having a dedicated octopus alternate. Although, I’m confident I could get my buddy to the surface with what I have, if needed; I want others to feel confident that I’m safe to dive to dive with. Perceptions are important. I figure, I’ve done Rescue Diver certification, now I’m going to be doing Reef Check where every dive will likely be with someone who doesn’t know me. Maybe it will help everyone’s confidence if I look a little more like the average diver.
As I said, I had just checked my regulator a few days prior. But when I got to Breakwater and assembled my gear, the regulator was leaking and after some investigation, it appeared to be at the swivel. But that’s one of the reasons for the dive? To make sure everything was working. I rented one at Monterey Bay Scuba and at the end of the day, I took mine to Peninsula Dive Services for repair.
I was excited to see some things I’m sure I had seen before but was now able to name including: Masking Crab, CA Sea Cucumber, Warty Sea Cucumber, Black Sea Hare, Bat Star, Leather Star, Short Spined Star, Ocher Star, Rock Scallop, Lingcod, Giant Kelp, Woody Kelp, Wire Weed, Feather Boa Kelp, Blacksmith, and Metridium.
It was a fun, informative dive and the goal of checking out my gear was accomplished. Thanks to Oliver and Derek.