Bay Area diver

[tallman]

Hello all,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I learned to swim as an adult almost four years ago, and decided to get certified shortly after. I am Bay Area native and dive Monterey at least twice a month. I ended up getting my wife and son certified but they are more of vacation divers. After taking in all the helpful information and opinions over the years I knew it was time I become active on the forum.

I hope to continue learning and growing as diver.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Welcome from up here in Santa Rosa!
If you ever get the urge to do some "give back" diving, why not join us for some purple urchin removal diving at Stillwater Cove in Sonoma County?
You can check out our forum here on scubaboard.

P.U.R.P. Purple Urchin Removal Project

We are group of volunteer divers dedicated to the removal of overpopulated purple urchins to help restore the kelp forests of Northern California.

scubaboard.com

You can bring the family and make a weekend out of it.

 

[tallman]

Welcome from up here in Santa Rosa!
If you ever get the urge to do some "give back" diving, why not join us for some purple urchin removal diving at Stillwater Cove in Sonoma County?
You can check out our forum here on scubaboard.

P.U.R.P. Purple Urchin Removal Project

We are group of volunteer divers dedicated to the removal of overpopulated purple urchins to help restore the kelp forests of Northern California.

scubaboard.com

You can bring the family and make a weekend out of it.

Thanks for the info! I was actually planning on doing a training class for that so this is definitely something I am interested in.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Where exactly are you located?
We have divers coming up from Concord, Napa, and even San Jose, and one from Sacramento.
Most are from the North Bay, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, and into Marin County.
We don't have an official training class yet for our operation but that is coming soon. We will be having free seminars at Seal's Watersports as needed, probably on Friday or Saturday evenings right before a dive which are always on Sundays.
The class you might referencing is probably Keith Rootseart's class for the Monterey culling operation at Tanker's Reef.
They are allowed to crush at that site, we are not.
We're allowed to remove up to 40 gallons per person, no crushing.
But what we do actually requires more gear and more know how with lift bags, techniques, etc.
There's a lot more to it than just going around popping them with a welding slag hammer, which in my opinion doesn't require a $300 class.

 

[tallman]

Where exactly are you located?
We have divers coming up from Concord, Napa, and even San Jose, and one from Sacramento.
Most are from the North Bay, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, and into Marin County.
We don't have an official training class yet for our operation but that is coming soon. We will be having free seminars at Seal's Watersports as needed, probably on Friday or Saturday evenings right before a dive which are always on Sundays.
The class you might referencing is probably Keith Rootseart's class for the Monterey culling operation at Tanker's Reef.
They are allowed to crush at that site, we are not.
We're allowed to remove up to 40 gallons per person, no crushing.
But what we do actually requires more gear and more know how with lift bags, techniques, etc.
There's a lot more to it than just going around popping them with a welding slag hammer, which in my opinion doesn't require a $300 class.

I am in Burlingame so either way I drive to dive. What kind of gear do I need (besides dive gear)? I believe I need a fishing license from what I have heard? Definitely interest and willing to make the drive to try it out.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Yes, obviously all your own personal dive gear.
The diving is shallow inside the cove, less than 20'.
So you can leave behind any fancy computer or lights and anything else that might get damaged. You will never get remotely close to any NDL. It's hands on and you will be contacting the bottom occasionally.
You'll need a fishing license.
We do have some loaner gear for new divers to use. Once you know you are into it and want to make it a regular activity we ask that you do purchase your own stuff so the next guy can have a crack at it. We will be providing specialized rakes made specifically for purple urchin removal. I'm a stainless weldor so I make these for the team. The rakes will be attached to float lines which follow you around on the surface where ever you are so we can see where people are working.
It's great training and great fun. It's skill building for sure while doing something great for the local ecosystem!

 

[tallman]

Yes, obviously all your own personal dive gear.
The diving is shallow inside the cove, less than 20'.
So you can leave behind any fancy computer or lights and anything else that might get damaged. You will never get remotely close to any NDL. It's hands on and you will be contacting the bottom occasionally.
You'll need a fishing license.
We do have some loaner gear for new divers to use. Once you know you are into it and want to make it a regular activity we ask that you do purchase your own stuff so the next guy can have a crack at it. We will be providing specialized rakes made specifically for purple urchin removal. I'm a stainless weldor so I make these for the team. The rakes will be attached to float lines which follow you around on the surface where ever you are so we can see where people are working.
It's great training and great fun. It's skill building for sure while doing something great for the local ecosystem!

That all sounds great to me. Let me keep an eye out on dates that work and I will make the trip out there. Heading to Mexico to dive for two weeks so just need to find something that aligns. Better to bring my wetsuit instead of dry suit due to punctures?