Blowned out at VanDamme April 1 and Got my Ass kicked by the Wind and the Wash

Hi Divers and Yakers:

        .
          The First 15 Min.s were like a Fish Bowel all of sudden the N. end Channel turned into a washing machine. The white wash made it hard to see as I was sucked into a hole and then spitout as I kicked the HELL out of there! The opposite Reef offered no protection because, it was pulling me to the outside reef.
          I pondered about the loss of my belt but, pop it and launched myself back out of the outgoing rip to shore. I decided to have Lunch and do a little Photo which I will post
later. I shared the Beach with a Seal who had some very deep cuts along its'  back.
Looked like the Seal got tossed across the Reef.
          I packed the Scupper Classic and paddled Winds that were 10-15 mph.  . I decided not to try to pull out the Camera because, I was being pushed  across "Key Hole" Reef by the Wind.
          I had to find a sweet spot where i wasn't fighting the NorthWestern. A little Zig Zag while watching the breakers punch the South Reef and, I was back to the Beach
where most weren't going out.
          I'm going to lay down low and, go out on Dory Skiff "Rage" out of Albion hopefully, on this Sat.
          The report from Fort. Bragg Marine is  "Looks like it's going to be too big this weekend.
                                                                                     Sea-ya
                                                                                      Ernie
                                                                                         
         

That sounds kinda scary, Ernie.  I'm glad you're OK.  No good water any time soon it seems... 

Glad you're alright.  Too bad about the loss of your weight belt but I'm sure you're making the right decision.

Best not to fool with Mother Nature. I have gone out many opening days. Some are good and some are not. I have learned to chose my days.

Indeed.  The snails aren't going anywhere.

Hi yakers:

           I'm at Moodys in Mendopcino having a cup of Joe and, It's still like a washing machine out off of the Mendo Headlands!
     I'm going to do another Photo shoot today on shore. 
                                                                           Sea-ya
                                                                           Ernie
I forgot my USB cable to upload Pics.

Those were some gnarly conditions... Keep it safe out there. 

glad to NOT read about you in the papers.  Ditching the belt sounds like the right choice.

Glad to hear you did not let the rush of being in the water over ride your will to survive and you live to dive another day

Hi Yakers and Divers:

       I dove the South Reef at Van Dam last Sat. and , poped my limit.
The N. Point was heavy in Wash and swells all week-end. I wouldn't
dive the N. Pt. untill the N.W. Winds die down.
       I cleaned my Abs this Morning for breatfast and will post some pics. of
 Mendo Headlands during a 25-35 Mile Blow. Wensday.
       Pic No. Two is of the N. Point off of glass House Beach where, I go my Ass
Kicked. I was sucked across both Reefs from left to right then, around the point to
the out side Breakers.
       Pic No. 3 is a Seal with some nasty Cuts on its' back from I hope the Reef!
       Pics 4and 5 are of Vandamme South Reef on Sat. It's a nice spot at low tide with easy limits of
        8" in 15 Ft. with good Vis and a nice place to park.
                                                                                            Sea-ya
                                                                                            Ernie

   
                                                                                  Ernie