Seattle area freedive pool buddies?

[berta_c]

Hi pals - new freediver here, just completed the AIDA2 pool course, and psyched to keep those skills up til I get back to warm waters next winter (am holding off on completing the open-water AIDA2 here in the PNW till, oh, maybe August?
Meantime, looking to connect w/other folks to practice skills with til then - is anyone else doing pool training in Seattle?

Also, I'm looking for advice on a freediving wetsuit. My Mares 2.5mm (scuba) suit wasn't warm enough even for our pool training, after a couple of hrs (it's also a bit baggy), but I don't think I'll need all of 7mm for open-water summer diving here - or will I?
I imagine I'll need to try a few on, but there's only one small shop anywhete near here - how do others manage? Do I just grit my teeth and shell out for a custom suit?

So happy to happen across this group!
Warm regards to all -
berta

 

[7BDiver]

Hi Beta, who is doing AIDA courses in the Seattle Area, never heard of any competitions there either, what can you tell me about those? Custom suits don't have to be expensive, you generally just have to wait a little while. Are you diving in fresh water or in the ocean mostly? If you are in water at 50 F - 70 F you 5 mil unlined suits should be a good fit, anything colder than that, you might as well get a 6.5 or 7 mil and be good to dive year round.

 

[Scott Valentine]

I don't do any pool training but I do dive in Puget sound in the Tacoma area

As far as suits go Puget sound is about 52° in the winter and maybe 53 in the summer and I use a 7mm free dive suit which is unlined open cell on the inside and I still get cold after about 30 to 45 minutes

I buy my suits out of Hammerhead Spearguns in Hawaii and use a 1.5 mm for the tropics 3 mm for moderate temperatures and 7 mm for local diving



I wouldn't recommend anything less than a 7 mil but maybe some people are not as sensitive to the cold as me

 

[alotubvid]

If you're looking for freedive pool buddies in the Seattle area, there are several ways to connect with fellow enthusiasts. Joining local freediving clubs or online communities can help you find like-minded individuals who share your passion for the sport. These groups often organize practice sessions and meet-ups at local pools, providing a great opportunity to improve your skills and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow divers. Additionally, for businesses aiming to enhance their online presence and attract more customers, investing in SEO services Liverpool can be highly beneficial.

 

[berta_c]

Hi Beta, who is doing AIDA courses in the Seattle Area, never heard of any competitions there either, what can you tell me about those? Custom suits don't have to be expensive, you generally just have to wait a little while. Are you diving in fresh water or in the ocean mostly? If you are in water at 50 F - 70 F you 5 mil unlined suits should be a good fit, anything colder than that, you might as well get a 6.5 or 7 mil and be good to dive year round.

Hullo 7B! So sorry about delay in response (I didn't set my notifications properly, sigh
I want to dive both fresh and salt, so thank you for the advice on suits, I ended up ordering a 6mm custom Elios (on sale from freediver)

My AIDA instructor is Jana Strain (http://janastrain.com). She teaches mostly north of Seattle (lives close to the NE side of Lake WA I think). Impressive personal competition record, now working on getting to instructor-trainer level with AIDA. Passionate and dedicated!

I'm not aware of local competitions, but I haven't been looking (strictly recreational, moi - so if the water's <50 I won't want to get in it anyway

 

[berta_c]

I don't do any pool training but I do dive in Puget sound in the Tacoma area

As far as suits go Puget sound is about 52° in the winter and maybe 53 in the summer and I use a 7mm free dive suit which is unlined open cell on the inside and I still get cold after about 30 to 45 minutes

I buy my suits out of Hammerhead Spearguns in Hawaii and use a 1.5 mm for the tropics 3 mm for moderate temperatures and 7 mm for local diving



I wouldn't recommend anything less than a 7 mil but maybe some people are not as sensitive to the cold as me

Hi Scott, thanks a million - so sorry for late response! but I lost the thread til just now

I ended up getting an Elios 6 mm open-cell for here; am guessing 30 min. in 50° waters will be about my max too (not just cuz I'm new, but honestly I feel like I'll be pretty happy with ~15 m.)

What do you consider moderate water temps? I'm usually in Roatán Jan-Mar (ish) and temps are ~80 then... thinking that 3 mm when out for the day might be nice?

All best - berta

 

[berta_c]

Still hoping to find AIDA2-level dive buddies in Seattle area (or 3's willing to dial down a bit for a newcomer - I'll get better!