Great Whites in Santa Monica Bay
Hey Dale,
Have there been any real confirmations of great whites off the coast of Santa Monica? It seems really unusual. Are they sure they just aren’t soupfins which I know have been hanging out in La Jolla cove the last few days?

Adam
via e-mail

Hi Adam,
The media loves to whip up shark fears (it is very common for harmless large leopard sharks to be seen in the surf zone). Great white sharks in close along the beaches off the Santa Monica Bay is actually not rare (although unusual). In all of the reported confirmed sightings, however, they have always been “baby” great whites, usually only about 5-6 feet in length (often large makos are also mistaken as great whites). There has NEVER been a confirmed great white shark attack in the Santa Monica Bay — and think about how much these waters are used by humans every year!

Editor

Casino Pt. “East” End Wrecks?
Dear Mr. Sheckler,
While reading my copy of the July 2003 edition of California Diving News I noticed with some amusement and a lot of surprise that you evidently don’t know east from west. Your article on page 12 consistently reverses the directions. The wrecks you describe are at the west end of the park. You also refer to the Suejac as being at the far west end when it is actually at the far east end. I hope you are aware that as you face the sea from the shore at Casino Point you are facing north, and when you face north, west is to your left and east is to your right. The compass rose on the map accompanying your article indicates the correct directions.

I am sure that you will blame this foul up on some low level employee or a subcontractor, but as editor, publisher and head honcho, the ultimate responsibility is yours.

Sincerely,
Mike Marchbanks

Mike,
The buck stops here. I made this very embarrassing mistake. You are correct. I guess on my dive I just got so enthralled with all the fish and got everything “bass-ackwards.”

Dale Sheckler
Editor

Where is Solo Diving Possible?
To the Editor:
Thank you for covering diving in California. It has always been my primary interest. There are a couple of items I’d like to put on my wish list for your publication. One would be to add into the California Scuba Calendar some indication of which dive boats require diving with a buddy. Since I almost always prefer to dive alone, this would really help me pick a trip. Thanks for a great paper.

Ron Caldwell
Glendale, Arizona

Ron,
I surveyed most all the dive boats in California. Many responded. Most all strongly encouraged diving with a buddy, though few said they absolutely required it. Those that said they allowed solo diving said they would do so only if the diver in question showed strong diving experience and proficiency. Many did not want to be identified that they allowed solo diving (most likely for liability reasons). My advice: call ahead and ask. Then be prepared with an up-to-date log book of recent dives, similar to those you want to make solo.

Editor

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