Hey everyone, my names Devon, I am from Portland and wondering if there any many people from this area on here who are active in the area. I am a scuba instructor in the area, that in Oct of 2011 got my freediving instructor rating but haven't found many people to dive with so I thought getting on here would be a good way to meet some other people. Feel free to drop me a line if you are in the area anything.
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Pacific NW freediver (Portland, Or)
- Thread starter3Dfreedive
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
, There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
I just found the forum and want to start freediving again. I used to dive both for sport and commercially. I feel the need to get wet again and just sent out emails to the local dive shops for quotes on a free dive gear package. I'll like to kick around a few ideas. If your still active give me a shout.
Welcome Bob and Devon my name is John, live in Aloha and would like to get back to Netarts, Barview or Newport. Just for fun or spearing. Got a new spot to try too. I used to dive regularly at these spots but my buddy moved away. Have been freediving at the aquarium to stay in shape. Welcome.
Johnny,
Good to hear from you. I signed up for the Performance Free Diving class (Intermediate) in Miami in July and am trying to outfit myself with gear. Can I ask what brand and thickness suit you wear. I'll probably buy a lighter suit for warmer water and try to layer but not sure how well that would work.
Do you have a favorite dive shop you like? I've put out a list of gear for quotes to 3 different shops but none have been able to supply more that about 1/2 the items. I may just end up buying off the web, trying to stay local but it's not easy.
What's the aquarium you mentioned, I hadn't heard of anything like that.
Thanks,
Bob j.
Good to hear from you. I signed up for the Performance Free Diving class (Intermediate) in Miami in July and am trying to outfit myself with gear. Can I ask what brand and thickness suit you wear. I'll probably buy a lighter suit for warmer water and try to layer but not sure how well that would work.
Do you have a favorite dive shop you like? I've put out a list of gear for quotes to 3 different shops but none have been able to supply more that about 1/2 the items. I may just end up buying off the web, trying to stay local but it's not easy.
What's the aquarium you mentioned, I hadn't heard of anything like that.
Thanks,
Bob j.
I use a Cressi 7ml "Competition" - 2 piece with a bib underneath and a hooded top. 5ml Beuchat semi dry gloves. The only thing I have purchased locally is a Tusa 'platinum' mask, kind of a semi low volume. Low volume enough for as deep as I go. I have a dive shop I use for my scuba stuff, (Underwater Works) but I have always gotten the freedivng gear online.
I volunteer at the aquarium, cleaning exhibits, mostly on scuba, but we can free dive for some tasks.
Miami sounds like fun- I took it in Monterrey in marginal weather and it was a challenge to do much.
Sounds like we could head out in August. I will have some time off then. John
I volunteer at the aquarium, cleaning exhibits, mostly on scuba, but we can free dive for some tasks.
Miami sounds like fun- I took it in Monterrey in marginal weather and it was a challenge to do much.
Sounds like we could head out in August. I will have some time off then. John
John,
For what it's worth here's my list.
Wetsuit,
Fourth Element ProTeus 3mm,size LT
I'm 6-2, 190-195 lbs, 34-34 pant, 42-44 chest.
Hood, gloves, socks, all Fourth Element, large in all sizes
Fins, Cressi Garg 3000 LD, full foot, size 46-48 or 12-13. or
Capt Nemo fiberglass fins, 46-48, stiffness 4.
(also looked at 2000 HF and Gara Pro but not sure about the differences)
Mask, Omer Zero Cubed, extreme low volume.
snorkel, Subgear Apnea.
Weight belt with quick release buckle, been told rubber is better for
free diving?
Aquarium seems like it would be fun for a little while at least, the only place I've found that might work is Yale.
https://maps.google.com/maps/myplac...LZsmMc&vps=1&ei=98PFT8P3FZK2owTPm9TPCA&num=10
not sure if this link will work or not. Let me know.
Thanks,
Bob j.
For what it's worth here's my list.
Wetsuit,
Fourth Element ProTeus 3mm,size LT
I'm 6-2, 190-195 lbs, 34-34 pant, 42-44 chest.
Hood, gloves, socks, all Fourth Element, large in all sizes
Fins, Cressi Garg 3000 LD, full foot, size 46-48 or 12-13. or
Capt Nemo fiberglass fins, 46-48, stiffness 4.
(also looked at 2000 HF and Gara Pro but not sure about the differences)
Mask, Omer Zero Cubed, extreme low volume.
snorkel, Subgear Apnea.
Weight belt with quick release buckle, been told rubber is better for
free diving?
Aquarium seems like it would be fun for a little while at least, the only place I've found that might work is Yale.
https://maps.google.com/maps/myplac...LZsmMc&vps=1&ei=98PFT8P3FZK2owTPm9TPCA&num=10
not sure if this link will work or not. Let me know.
Thanks,
Bob j.
I don't know anything about the wetsuit- except 3ml seems thin for up here. Depends on your cold response. I can tolerate about 70-80 minutes at 54F in a 7ml.
I would would make sure exchanging for size and comfort is possible, I had to send my first Cressi back for that. I like hooded wetsuits to reduce the water down my back.
I have cressi gara 3000's. They are the only long fins I have used.
I think the mask fit is more important than having the lowest possible volume. Try one on if you can. My favorite is a cheap 'falco' mask- haven't found it for sale lately.
I use a rubber belt with a quick release.
I would let you try any of my gear, but i am 5'7" 145 lbs. wet John
I would would make sure exchanging for size and comfort is possible, I had to send my first Cressi back for that. I like hooded wetsuits to reduce the water down my back.
I have cressi gara 3000's. They are the only long fins I have used.
I think the mask fit is more important than having the lowest possible volume. Try one on if you can. My favorite is a cheap 'falco' mask- haven't found it for sale lately.
I use a rubber belt with a quick release.
I would let you try any of my gear, but i am 5'7" 145 lbs. wet John
John,
I'm sure your right about the 3mm, I was hoping to be able to layer or use undergarments but don't think it's going to work.
I'm now leaning toward the 5mm, easy enough to layer a 2mm hooded vest and I'm up to 7mm. Not the best solution but might be a workable compromise.
I got my class workbook/manual so I'm going to email the Performance folks and ask there opinion on my choices.
Thanks a million for the comments on temp and suit thickness. Without firsthand experience it's really difficult to make some of these decisions. On the mask, it's too new and I haven't found anyone that had one in hand yet, but most of the shops seem to be ok with exchanging for size/fit.
On all the gara models, I've heard nothing but goods things, I don't think you can go wrong with there stuff, it's just down to personal preference not quality or functionality.
Thanks,
Bob j.
I'm sure your right about the 3mm, I was hoping to be able to layer or use undergarments but don't think it's going to work.
I'm now leaning toward the 5mm, easy enough to layer a 2mm hooded vest and I'm up to 7mm. Not the best solution but might be a workable compromise.
I got my class workbook/manual so I'm going to email the Performance folks and ask there opinion on my choices.
Thanks a million for the comments on temp and suit thickness. Without firsthand experience it's really difficult to make some of these decisions. On the mask, it's too new and I haven't found anyone that had one in hand yet, but most of the shops seem to be ok with exchanging for size/fit.
On all the gara models, I've heard nothing but goods things, I don't think you can go wrong with there stuff, it's just down to personal preference not quality or functionality.
Thanks,
Bob j.
I still have my relatively inexpensive harveys bib and jacket and and the hooded vest I got to go with it. It certainly helped. Many of the the divers I have gone with in California had suits so snug that KY jelly or diluted hair conditioner is used inside to slip the suit on. That is the way mine fits.