Beach Dives (Fins on or off)

[TMHeimer]

All of this washing machine stuff sounds like me body surfing when I was 19....Don't want any of that in scuba gear! The one time I did venture out into those big (6 foot?) waves was in New Jersey. I did go in with fins on figuring this would get me past them quicker and also I wouldn't lose them. It was also a challenge to tow the flag through them. Glad I had the experience, but think I'll pass next time if the waves are that big. There are other places to go. Like that other thread--"Isn't diving also supposed to be fun?"

 

[Thalassamania]

I kinda enjoy body surfing back in at the end of the dive ... I call that fun.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I pick days (and beaches) that I can wade into the water chest deep and put fins on. If the waves are pounding hard enough that I need to put fins on on the beach and walk in backwards then do a twist and splash and kick like hell to get through the surf, I'll just go home. I'm getting too old for that sh*t.

 

[Bob DBF]

A surfing background and general ocean-going "smarts" really helps.

And watching how the seals and sea lions do it dosen't hurt either, they are the real pros.



Bob
----------------------------
I may be old, but I’m not dead yet.

 

[mahjong]

Not to digress from topic, but if "fins on or off" is even an issue for entry, then this must mean that the surf is big enough so that you have a much bigger issue regarding exit. For me, at least, when the surf is up entry is always easier than exit. When it's big, I might enter with fins on, depending on the particular topography. But starting on sand/"solid ground" and rushing into a big surf the waves of which you can time more easily because they are in front of you, isn't nearly as difficult as trying to exit that big surf when the waves are behind you, your head is at sea level, and you are NOT starting out on solid ground (esp here in NorCal, where the drop off one step beyond the break is steep--Monastery, Carmel River Beach, among others).

Again, your question is about entry. But once you enter, you do have to get out. So it might not be a bad idea to tackle these two questions at the same time.

 

[Thalassamania]

Not to digress from topic, but if "fins on or off" is even an issue for entry, then this must mean that the surf is big enough so that you have a much bigger issue regarding exit. For me, at least, when the surf is up entry is always easier than exit. When it's big, I might enter with fins on, depending on the particular topography. But starting on sand/"solid ground" and rushing into a big surf the waves of which you can time more easily because they are in front of you, isn't nearly as difficult as trying to exit that big surf when the waves are behind you, your head is at sea level, and you are NOT starting out on solid ground (esp here in NorCal, where the drop off one step beyond the break is steep--Monastery, Carmel River Beach, among others).

Again, your question is about entry. But once you enter, you do have to get out. So it might not be a bad idea to tackle these two questions at the same time.

Exiting, especially at Monastery is way easier than entering. You stay out just beyond the break, wait for the right wave, launch yourself into it and ride it the berm. When your chest hits, up on your hands and knees and do the scurry crawl as fast as you can. Very easy, no problem what-so-ever.

 

[mahjong]

'Ride the wave to the berm'? 'When your chest hits'? You must be talking about a calm day at Monastery. On a big, or even biggish, day, if you get caught in a wave heading in then you are going to get thrashed and rolled. You are not going to be delivered to the (very small) berm in a manner where you can dig in and do the Monastery crawl out. I thought the idea was to dart for the berm between sets, while dumping air from your BC, precisely to avert getting caught in a wave. Reading the sets in order to avoid the waves is what I thought one needed to master at Monastery.

Now, I fear, we've hijacked the thread. Apologies.

Exiting, especially at Monastery is way easier than entering. You stay out just beyond the break, wait for the right wave, launch yourself into it and ride it the berm. When your chest hits, up on your hands and knees and do the scurry crawl as fast as you can. Very easy, no problem what-so-ever.

 

[Thalassamania]

'Ride the wave to the berm'? 'When your chest hits'? You must be talking about a calm day at Monastery. On a big, or even biggish, day, if you get caught in a wave heading in then you are going to get thrashed and rolled. You are not going to be delivered to the (very small) berm in a manner where you can dig in and do the Monastery crawl out. I thought the idea was to dart for the berm between sets, while dumping air from your BC, precisely to avert getting caught in a wave. Reading the sets in order to avoid the waves is what I thought one needed to master at Monastery.

You are free to exit as you wish, just telling you how I did it for something approaching a thousand dives, never a problem.

 

[mahjong]

Thanks for the leeway. If I were wearing a wetsuit and carrying a surfboard (or even without a surfboard), I'd follow your tried and true approach. Donning a drysuit in full scuba regalia, I think I'll opt for trying to time my exit between sets. Arrive at and dig into the berm before the arrival of the wave.

Smaller waves...well then there's pleny of room for flaunting a diversity of approaches to exiting. If you can ride a biggish Monastery wave and safely and securely plant yourself at the berm in full scuba regalia, well, then, I wanna party with you :cool2:.

You are free to exit as you wish, just telling you how I did it for something approaching a thousand dives, never a problem.

 

[Thalassamania]

Growing up as an ocean swimmer and Santa Cruz surfer definitely helps. Back in the day our boards ran close to 60 lbs. I still have a soft spot in my heart (or is it my head) for my 10'2" Dewey Webber.