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New to freediving in NorCal

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 90 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
TheBob

TheBob

Well-Known Member
Dec 4, 2014
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#1
I'm new to freediving; I was certified in scuba many years ago, and accidentally discovered freediving when on a snorkeling trip in Maui recently. The guide was a freediver (and a great ambassador!), and I was instantly hooked. My intention to renew my scuba certification has changed into a passion for exploring the world of freediving.

I've lined up an FII certification course in San Diego in a few weeks, and am postponing equipment purchases until after that. I've already read through many threads on this site, and appreciate the great information.

In parallel with getting the right equipment, I'm looking for a dive buddy in my area... referrals welcome. ;-)

Thanks all-

Bob
 
#4
Where in NorCal are you located? We have a few members in Monterey and San Francisco, and I've seen some north of there from time to time. I recommend checking out the USA/Canada buddy network subforum, linked here: https://forums.deeperblue.com/forums/usa-canada.91/

I usually dive in the Monterey area, but it's been a while. Please do post an update on your FII course if you like. Also, check out South Beach Bar and Grille in San Diego if you are partial to fish tacos.
 
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#5
BatRay said:
Where in NorCal are you located? We have a few members in Monterey and San Francisco, and I've seen some north of there from time to time. I recommend checking out the USA/Canada buddy network subforum, linked here: https://forums.deeperblue.com/forums/usa-canada.91/

I usually dive in the Monterey area, but it's been a while. Please do post an update on your FII course. Also, check out South Beach Bar and Grille in San Diego if you are partial to fish tacos.
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Thanks, 'BatRay...' I'll check out all of the above. :-)
 
#8
Monterey is about an hour (depending on which part of Monterey) from me, and SF something like 1 hour 20 minutes. I think Santa Cruz is also something like an hour. All are reachable for dives, I've driven further to reach a contradance. :-)

This is likely not the most appropriate subforum for this question, but since I've got some locals on the line... what thickness wetsuit do you find suitable for any/all of these locations? I'd prefer to not immediately have a plan to own multiple suits, so one which would work there and in, say, north shore of Maui would be awesome. :-D

Thanks again-

Bob
 
#9
Most divers use at least a 5mm suit in Monterey, usually a jacket/pant or farmer john combo. I suppose it depends on your tolerance for heat and cold, but I'd bite the bullet and get the appropriate suit for each location, since splitting the difference would likely lead to discomfort in both places.
 
#10
Thanks, BatRay. I'll do a search for wetsuit thicknesses corresponding to temperature ranges... and I expect I'll be getting some specific feedback from the course instructor as well.
 
#11
In Socal, most divers use a 5mm suit, and many switch to a 7mm in winter. I would need a 7mm year around up north, and I think most divers use 7mm.

My friends in Hawaii seem to use 3mm.

You won't be able to get away with one suit suits both places.
 
#12
Excellent specifics, Bill, thanks.

I have a tendency to go all in, whatever I do... so I try to counterbalance that instinct with some practicality, LOL.

What I was hoping is that 'too thick' would not end up being an issue; for example, if I used a 5mm in Hawaii, what would be the downside? If I used a 6mm in CA, winter or summer, would that work? I'm guessing that what I really need is personal experience, just trying to avoid retooling my equipment as a result of novice purchasing errors. (Can you tell that I've been there before? :-) )

What a great resource this forum is, thanks again to all.

Bob
 
#13
You would roast in a 5mm suit in Hawaii. My husband wore a 5mm jacket/farmer john in 70-degree water and he overheated, even though his hood was off, his activity level was low, and he frequently flushed water through the suit.

I do fine with a 5mm year-round, and used to dive with a 7mm one-piece. It partially depends on your comfort level with different temperatures and as well as the fit, composition, and purpose of your suit. For cold water, I highly recommend a suit with opencell neoprene on the inside. It is much warmer than a lined suit. Opencell smoothskin suits are good for freediving, while spearo suits tend to have fabric exteriors, often with knee and chest pads.

A versatile setup will allow you to use the same gear for multiple activities. That can be a good way to go, as opposed to purchasing gear intended for competitive freediving if you are currently undecided if you want to go that direction.
 
#14
This was posted on another board.

Monterey Bay Triton Meeting, January 10th
Hello fellow spearos. The year is almost over. We have today and tomorrow until the year ends with a BIG BANG. Then we start the New Year in 2015. It is going to be a great year for the Triton's. Our membership has grown and the board has recognized that we need to step it up and bring more value to our club meetings. We decided as a board to have Club Meetings and Club Dive Days without Meetings. We felt we needed to get more of our members diving together more often and 2015 is the start of that new beginning.

So, to start our year off, we will be having our first club meeting on Saturday, January 10th at the Black Bear Diner at 3:00pm. Of course, we will all be diving that morning at the usual spots, depending on conditions and whether or not you have a board or kayak. If you are looking for someone to dive with, feel free to ask. Plenty of people to dive with.

Also, bring a new friend....or friends. You do not have to be a member to attend. All are welcome to dive with us and to come to the meeting. As of right now, I am not sure if we are having a guest speaker or presentation. That will be mentioned by Alex or Robert in the next few days.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask or PM me.

Hope to see everyone there. Until then, Have A Great New Year's.
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#17
Thanks, Stephan... I'll make sure to reach out to @kelp_princess as well. :-)

(Getting a weird visual of a cross between Smurfette and Ariel... thanks for that, "Papa Smurf!" LOL... )

Bob
 
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