Ring lost in the surf at Imperial Beach FOUND!
While scanning the local Craig’s List lost and found, I see an ad asking if anyone had found this particular ring in Imperial Beach, and if so, to contact Cat. I emailed back that if she would like someone to search for it, to give TheRingFinders.com a try. I offered my services and agreed to meet her father Bob down at the location early the next morning to take advantage of the low tide, as Cat lived in Las Vegas and had already returned home. It had been lost a few days earlier, at low tide, and in 4 feet of water. (figures huh?) I had my doubts that it could be found this particular morning because the tide was actually a bit higher than when she lost it, but, I wanted to see the search area and give it a try anyway. The sooner you search, the better the odds of a successful recovery. I figured I would probably have to plan a return trip at a huge minus tide to get out far enough to be in the search area but that wasn’t going to happen in the near future. This was going to be the lowest tide until the end of the month, so, it was now or wait.
Bob gave me directions to where he thought Cat lost the ring and I started a grid with my Excalibur just north of that point and worked my way south to where the rest of the family had camped in the dry sand. I made about six 100 foot passes from slope to chest deep in the surf when I got a strong signal at my deepest point before heading back toward shore. The 3-4 foot surf was roughing me up a bit and making it hard to scoop, but, after my 3rd try, the target was in my scoop. After sifting out the sand, A unique looking ring, that matched their description, was in my hand. I couldn’t believe it! I guess it was either lost in shallower water than she thought, or, the surf may have moved it in a bit before being buried. A call back to Bob, who lived close by, and he was there in a flash. We texted and called Cat with photos which made her day. Another satisfying recovery in less than ideal conditions. Great to meet you Bob and to talk to you Cat. May your ring have more stories to tell!
« Before the sunset twice the ring will be found » that was my goal. The ring was lost Saturday afternoon the sun set and Sunday before the sun set again the ring was found. I got an email from Jennifer K. while at a family gathering 70 miles away from the Park. I called Jennifer right away and she said they were at the beach celebrating the future marriage of a friend. While laying on the beach she applied some sunblock then went down to the water, up to her waist, to cool off. She noticed her ring on her right hand was coming off and adjusted it then noticed her wedding ring was gone.
So that gave us, (Tom Townsend, Dave B. and myself), a reference as to where to look. Jennifer contacted both Tom Townsend and myself from the Ring Finders directory. I called up my detecting partner to meet me at the Park because I was 70 miles away. Before I got to the Park both Tom and Dave entered the water between the buoy reference that Jennifer had given us and checked up to waist deep water. When I arrived Tom was on a grid South of the referenced area and Dave started gridding North to South over the referenced area and I started my grid going East and West from the referenced area to the water. After I arrived it was about 30 minutes of gridding and Dave and I met almost at the same spot and there it was right where it was suspected of coming off. 
Dave went home and Tom and I entered the water to see if we could find some more rings. The first signal Tom got was a nice men’s Titanium wedding band. The night ended as the sun set for the second time since the ring was lost and a call was made to Jennifer that her ring was found. We made arrangements for her to pick it up the next day when we will get a picture of her for our book of smiles.
