Equipment question

[kickemall]

I've been Abalone diving and spear fishing on the Northcoast of California for quite a few years now. Everybody just uses equipment from the local dive shops like - whatever mask fits, snorkels with purge valves, short fins, nylon weight belts, etc. How come you never see any of the more specialized freedive equipment used by any of the divers up here? I'm not a member of any clubs nor do I go to any organized events but I see hundreds of different Ab divers every year. Just curious.

Dave

 

[sickbugs]

i guess its a case of whatever works, will have to work

what depths do you get abalone in?

 

[kickemall]

Anywhere from rockpicking (knee deep) to about 30' (Abs are deeper but very few people dive beyond 30' for them). Average is twelve to fifteen feet, seems to be where they are most concentrated.

Dave

 

[lungfish]

Hey,
I just got an invite to go camping and abalone gathering for the first time.

I haven't seen many specialized divers, like food gatherers and hunters who have taken the time to train or use freediver gear. I know a lot of spear gunners who have no clue about proper freediving as well.

Also, most dive outlets don't offer the gear. Scuba is a bias, a perspective. I have a friend who just bought a dive shop in Fairfield. She knew next to nothing about freediving so I spent the last month educating her. Now she wants to promote and sell it as a subcategory in her store. The demographics are strong enough to support it....(she invited me to join her Scuba friends on the abalone camping trip and some chartered tank dives) Just got share experiences and be enthusiastic.

Lungfish

 

[kickemall]

I think your friend would do well in her store with a free diving line. Divers are always looking for something better. All the guys I know are always trying different fins or masks thinking it will help them. I just received the Omer black package that is recommened on this board and took them for a short spin, what a difference in comfort and performance. I'm going to get laughed at pretty bad but I sure like the way it feels so far. You'll have fun with the camping and ab hunting, enjoy.

Dave