Should I buy new equipment?

[PreTzeL]

I am off traveling to NZ later this year, with the intention of emigration afterwards, and at the moment I only have snorkeling equipment, as in a Mares Baja mask, a Decathlon purge valve snorkel, and a set of Caravelle Aqua Lung Fins. (which has all done me very well for many years and many deepish dives <15m) I now want to take my diving up a few notches and be much more safe about it whilst doing that.

I am starting by undertaking the SETT course in october, then going to make a stop over in Koh Lanta to practice what I have learnt and undertake my ** and maybe my *** AIDA courses, depending how I get on, how much time I stay there etc..

What I am not sure about is the best way to go about it is, should I buy new equipment before I depart, (thats what my heart and wallet says! ) I have got my eyes on a set of Gara 3000LD fins, a Beuchat Mundial mask and an Elios wetsuit. My problem is going to be space as I will have all my other stuff I need for backpack style traveling also.

Many thanks

[PropAddict]

I love my Gara's. Just got them about a month ago and it's amazing how much my free diving has improved. Can't recommend them enough.

That said, were I to be backpacking my way around, staying in hostels and such, I'd be mighty wary of having my stuff stolen and might wait to make the purchase until after I got to my destination. Who knows: someone may take your current gear, then you'll just have to buy new stuff!!

[Narsil]

I wouldn't get too concerned about gear yet. Various people in NZ can give you plenty of advice when you arrive and let you try a range of bifins / mono's, masks etc to assist in your decision making.

The one exception might be a wetsuit however. While you can order one just as easily from here, buying a decent Elios/ Marea etc suit early might be smart, given the huge waiting times at the moment in the european high season.

If you do decide to go ahead with that, a 5mm opencell inner / smoothskin or nylon outer is generally considered a good allrounder for NZ sea/ lake conditions. If your budget stretched, of course an extra 3mm smoothskin would be nice for depth diving during the summer, or using in the pool.

Look forward to seeing you when you arrive in NZ,

Guy

[PreTzeL]

Thanks for the replies,

were I to be backpacking my way around, staying in hostels and such, I'd be mighty wary of having my stuff stolen and might wait to make the purchase until after I got to my destination.

Luckily for me I have saved up enough money not to need to use hostels (Whilst in Thailand and so early on in my travels anyway hehe ). But certainly good advice to follow, however you intend to travel..

I decided that I am going to hold of buying any new equipment untill NZ, and thats going to include the suit. If I desperately need one in Thailand I am going to have to rent or buy something suitable. And as soon as I am settled I will order that Elios ( 5mm smooth skin with a nylon exterior coming this way)

Look forward to seeing you when you arrive in NZ,

Thanks! I Can't wait, so looking forwards to meeting you and other like minded diving peeps.

Many thanks and all the best for now.