Abalone Day Trip - The Dive

Limit Out.

Despite the late start we were in the water by noon, and the sun broke through on cue. Made a newbie error attempting a side entry into the water. Left a fin on the rock as I was putting the other fin on, and a surprise wave washed it away. Never found it. Doug lent me his fins after he got his limit so I had an opportunity to get mine. Swells were higher than expected and visibility less (maybe three feet). Still decent conditions. Limit out [Note to Self: Remember to hold in stomach when triumphantly posing with catch.]

Suiting up with locals Doug and Len.

The descent...

...is relatively easy.

After the dive and tagging the take...

... the ascent was tougher with a full load of abs.
[Note to self - clean lens after exiting water.]


The celebratory beer helped us recover.

Doug picked 3 nines. Len a couple more. I limited out with a one nine, one eight, one seven.Len says "I only took two today for an easier climb out." Exactly. Same reason I took an eight and a barely legal seven to finish the catch and lighten the load.