|   #70 | 
			                
			                
                            
                                
                                    
                                    Kevin Hartwell  - kjhartwell  Garden Grove CAJoined On: 7/24/2011 Last Login: 11/03/2011 
                                    
                                    
                                        Experience:  Expert Looking For:  Dive buddy - just friends Company: Newport Aquatic Center | 
            
         
        
             
I was born and raised in the Newport Beach area of Southern California and am deeply influenced by the "Endless Summer" lifestyle. I surf and sail as well as Scuba. I also like hiking, backpacking and fly fishing. We are fortunate here in SoCal to have the Channel Islands right of our coast which has been named a top ten destination for diving in North America. I spent four years in the mid-late 90’s just boat-bumming up and down the coast and in Baja California and Mainland Mexico. I no longer have a boat but am itching to get another one. During the time I lived aboard and "off the grid", I worked as a freelance commercial diver and did numerous projects with Williamson Marine (Hong Kong) repairing and surveying C-9, C-10 container ships in Long Beach and Los Angeles Harbor. I have probably logged more time in terms of sheer hours underwater working on ship repairs and salvage work in the SoCal area. Ironically, I have not invested in continuing education, and still have my Open Water certification; my goal is to further my diving education. I love animals and enjoy meeting new people and making new friends. I love to cook and am an avid reader. Would love to meet divers with similar interests and dive Catalina Island with them. KJH