Step-Dad needs some advice!

[CanadaDan]

Back story... I’m a father of two adult men but now have a teenage stepson and a teenage stepdaughter (14) that I helped certify as divers this past fall. Next spring break (2022) I’m taking the two of them on Blackbeard’s for a dive week. This will be the first trip for just the three of us.

Here’s where I need some help. My stepdaughter has long thick hair and has problems braiding it herself. She and her mom are starting to teach me how to braid it which I absolutely love. Such an amazing bonding experience.

Up here we always have hoods on but when diving without a hood what’s the best way to go for long hair? Braids? Ponytail? Pigtails?

Mask strap cover is already in the kit but that’s about as much as I know about diving with long hair

I’m going to learn regardless... it’s awesome that’s she trusts me this much and the time together is wonderful. I just want to give her the best help and advice for the trip. No hoods and saltwater isn’t a common combination in Canada

Any advice will be greatly appreciate.

 

[Wookie]

Although not a female, My hair goes to my belt when it's down.

My wife plaits (or french braids) it. It's the only way I can dive, wear a hood (which I rarely do), put on my drysuit, keep my mask in place, and get out of the water multiple times a day without messing with it.

Have her load plenty of conditioner in it when she showers to take the braid out.

 

[CanadaDan]

Although not a female, My hair goes to my belt when it's down.

My wife plaits (or french braids) it. It's the only way I can dive, wear a hood (which I rarely do), put on my drysuit, keep my mask in place, and get out of the water multiple times a day without messing with it.

Have her load plenty of conditioner in it when she showers to take the braid out.

Thanks... that brings up another issue. Blackbeard’s is pretty basic. Saltwater, ocean temp showers for the week.

Bringing the good leave-in conditioner for all of us.

 

[formernuke]

I will second conditioner recommendation.

I will also ask why not wear a hood? I did the one time in the Caribbean just in case I don't see the jelly fish.

 

[CanadaDan]

She tends to be impervious to cold but I imagine the same problem and questions persist... as her hair assistant for the week what the best way to help? Hood or no hood I/we still need some advice.

She only has two fun dives under her belt. By the end of next summer we’ll have a good handle on best hair for hoods but not for without.

 

[Rob9876]

Everyone is different, but not much need for a hood in the Bahamas in March. We did Blackbeards over the week of Christmas one year, and never felt the need for a hood. YMMV

@CanadaDan the Blackbeard's shower is nice and warm, but you have unlimited hot saltwater to initially rinse off and soap up, followed by only 30 seconds of hot freshwater to do your final rinse. Really wasn't that bad.

 

[Marie13]

The best hair for diving is short hair. Absolutely problem free. But I’m not going to suggest telling a teenager to cut her hair.

I’ve seen some with pony tails, some with braids. Some wear a bandana or a wide stretchy fabric headband along with a braid.

A 14 year old step daughter? You poor thing.

 

[CanadaDan]

The best hair for diving is short hair. Absolutely problem free. But I’m not going to suggest telling a teenager to cut her hair.

I’ve seen some with pony tails, some with braids. Some wear a bandana or a wide stretchy fabric headband along with a braid.

A 14 year old step daughter? You poor thing.

lol... there are days she talks about chopping it off. It would be a shame but it would always grows back. She’s got wonderfully thick healthy hair and a rich red natural colour.

Always wanted a daughter... just had to wait a bit

 

[Marie13]

lol... there are days she talks about chopping it off. It would be a shame but it would always grows back. She’s got wonderfully thick healthy hair and a rich red natural colour.

Always wanted a daughter... just had to wait a bit

Well, then, encourage her to chop it off for the trip!

Wait - a natural red head combined with teenage hormones? You jumped in at the deep end!

 

[cleomagic]

I have very thick, long, curly hair. When diving without a hood, I used to braid my hair, but still had lots of tangles at the end of the day.

Last dive trip, I put my hair in a bun - simply twist my hair and use a hair band to keep it in place. HUGE difference! It was very easy to adjust between dives, and I didn't have to work out the braid and resulting knots at the end of the day.

Hope that helps!