3/2 Escapade Boat dive report

[Chuck Tribolet]

One thing great about Monterey/Carmel diving is when you go somewhere warm and the DM asks you those three questions (how many dives, when was your last dive, where do you normally dive...) and you answer the last one "Monterey and Carmel," they usually go right to the next divers, knowing that they won't have to worry about you.

There's a certain respect that comes with being a cold water diver.

That is SO true. About ten years ago I was getting on a tropical dive boat. I suspect
it was the Peter Hughes Belize boat. The captain was giving everybody a five minute
inquisition about their experience. He asked those same three questions, DONE. Shocked
the **** out of the guy behind me in line. ;-) (BTW, I had about 100 dives back then)

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

I've dived with both Bubbles Below and Fathom Five over at least four trips to Kauaii. Both are OK,
but watch your profiles. In both cases I thought they were a bit aggresive. I did my first dive
ever on Kauaii (resort course through a now defunct shop) at Koloa Landing.

Do eat at the Beach House at Poipu. You will NOT reqret it. They managed to rebuild after getting
completely flushed out in two hurricanes.

 

[Peter_C]

I figured my gear configuration and how I set my gear up had more effect on the DM than what I told them. Last time I dove at a resort I watched them watch everyone set up their gear. Definitely a good way to see who dives often.

I find the hardest safety stops are in bad vis (Less than five feet), when there is a lot of plankton etc. floating in front of your mask. I have to watch my depth gauge pretty close in those cases. Rarely do I hang onto kelp during deco, and stay in trim for practice.

 

[RS]

I'll be there the same week, 22-28. I'll be with Fathom Five, at least for my AOW. One of the other conference-goers will be diving with me sometime with someone. When, where and with whom is still to be determined.

I'll be staying at the Grand Hyatt on Poipu Rd.

You?

WAY out at Anini Beach. PM sent. Great to dive w/ you if the timing works...