Diving with a kid?

[ReeferBen]

I might be coming to visit my sister in late Aug. My son is 12 has 52ish dives (40 in a quarry, 12ish in the Caribbean) he is used to full 7mm wet suit etc.


Is there diving there for us? I am curious about things like water temps, current, navagation, average depths etc. Just to get an idea if this something that would be appropriate for my son.

Thanks
Ben

 

[billt4sf]

Ben,

I am not very experienced at diving, even less so at diving in So Cal, but since there were no other responders so far let me say that you could dive in Catalina Island, at the dive park (free once you get there) or off a boat on the island.

- Bill

 

[GOCACHN]

My 12 year old son loves diving at the Avalon dive park. Lots to see and very easy diving at your own pace. There is also easy shore diving in San Diego at la jolla shores and cove.

 

[diverrex]

It is not not often but I've seen 12 year olds on our local CA boats. Much of our diving in the Channel Islands is, or can be if you choose, fairly shallow, like 40 feet or less. Many boats here try to stay away from sites with current. I see no reason why he shouldn't dive out here. Casino Point dive park is also a good option.

Temps will probably be mid 60s in August. As far as navigation just know our DMs do not go in the water, you and your buddy are on your own. The Peace and Spectre dive boats use both a bow and stern anchor which can make navigation just a bit easier since the stearn anchor usually runs over the dive spot. If you have navigation concerns just don't wander far from the anchor line. I think it's almost impossible to get lost at the dive park, navigation is really easy there. The park does go as deep as 100 feet, but you could easily also make 3 good dives in a day there and never go much below 40 feet.

 

[ReeferBen]

Mid 60s is nice, now you guys are getting me excited.

 

[kelpmermaid]

The U/W park @ Casino Point in Avalon might be good for your son. Dive boats here are mainly an all day affair. If things don't go well at the Point, there's always mini-golf or other things in Avalon.

 

[fnfalman]

Hell, the kid is probably in better shape and can outdive most of us. 40-dives quarry dives with 7mm wetsuit? He'll be fine with all non-advanced dive sites.

You all wouldn't have to adapt to heavy wetsuit and low viz, but you would have to learn to deal with water movements like currents and surges, primarily surges. However, it isn't that big of a deal. Just don't try to do any marathon swim. Stay close to the anchor or stay close in one area. Unless one is bent on exploration, there's no need to swim around like a maniac. You end up missing all the little details that way.

 

[ReeferBen]

Well I am coming out and will be trying the park with my son on Sunday the 26th. Should I reserve tanks/weights somewhere in particular?

 

[diverrex]

Read the sticky:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/231885-updated-great-catalina-island-info-sticky-thread.html

Lots of good information for a first timer to the park.

 

[AZTinman]

My son began diving the Monterey area with me when he was in his early teens. He did just fine and had a great time.

Now, he's married with three young kids and a demanding job. He still talks about those Monterey trips. Hopefully, when the kids get older he'll find the time and desire to share the kind of experiences he had when he was growing up with me.

-AZTinman