Buddy or suggestions for gear checkout and buoyancy check?

[bkotheimer]

Hi!

I have an interesting challenge I thought I would hit the boards with...

I'm a solid intermediate diver with an AOW card and about 20+ logged dives. I just got all my own gear after a lot of renting BCs, regs, etc. I need to do a gear checkout for weight, fit, etc.

I certainly don't want to do it solo, and I don't want to hold up an insta-buddy who is paying a lot to go on a boat dive. So I thought I'd check in with Beach Crabs and DiveVets to see what my options are right in the neighborhood (I live in MDR) for just jumping in at Vets or up along the Malibu coast somewhere, possibly with a group of mellow divers who don't mind me tagging along.

Eventually, I want to start shorediving around here anyway (dive for free? what a concept!), but while I'm getting oriented to this new rig, I face some other special challenges.

1. It's my first backplate/wing. I tried it at 7 feet where I keep my boat (yucky marina water!) and it felt okay, but I need to get down to 20-30ft. at least, swim around a little, do a safety stop, the whole deal.

2. I've never done a beach/shore dive.

3. I've never done a night dive.

4. I don't have weekdays off, only weekends.

I can bring refreshments to contribute to any "debriefing" activities. I know the DiveVets are known for this. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Thanks!
bk

 

[FishNut]

You came to the right place im sure some one will be willing to help you there is a Beach crabs dive and Deer creek this Sat at 8 in the morning. They are really helpfull and paitent even with me. Im sure people would not mind helping you out. they go diving almost every weeknd and if you cant make it this weekend there is a Picnic and dive one the 26th i belive that you are more then welcome to join in on.

 

[Tailchaser]

We are diving this saturday at deer creek in malibu... You are more then welcome to join us and I am sure we can get you dialed in as far as you weight. Its a pretty easy entry and the surface swim is not all that far. I think rick has a float he maybe willing to bring to stash extra or not needed weight so you dont have to swim back and forth.

 

[bkotheimer]

Wow, thanks! I may take you up on that. If not, perhaps next weekend. I was hoping I had come to the right place!

 

[FishNut]

Welcome. you did come to the right place

 

[Clammy]

We're diving tonight at 8pm as well!

 

[FishNut]

We're diving tonight at 8pm as well!

Yea i did not think he would want to do a night dive or be ready for it considring hes never done a beach/shore dive, never done a night dive and has to get use to his equiptment i think he would be better off doing that in the day. doing all that at night is kinda hard to get use to if ya never did a beach entrance.

 

[bkotheimer]

You got that right - first shore dive + first night dive + new gear = way too much.

Anyway, you guys are so nice! Actually the 26th at Nicholas Canyon is great too, probably even better than this Saturday. Is the entry pretty do-able as well? Is it really okay if I crash your picnic? I'd bring something, of course.

 

[FishNut]

You got that right - first shore dive + first night dive + new gear = way too much.

Anyway, you guys are so nice! Actually the 26th at Nicholas Canyon is great too, probably even better than this Saturday. Is the entry pretty do-able as well? Is it really okay if I crash your picnic? I'd bring something, of course.

We dont care if ya crash the party more the marrier every one is welcome. umm i dont know how the entry is but i know it is a walk down to the beach and back up. but if ya are up for exerscise i think it would be fine. might be a little rockey but not to bad. the first time i dove with these guys we dove leo carillo at low tide and comming out of the water i fell 3 or 4 times but they didnt leave me. of course i think they might think diffrent now. Just kidding. every one has to start some where

 

[robertarak]

It is not crashing if you dive with us/them/the crabby ones. Diving with the crabs makes you, well a crab, and it's a crab picnic! So, welcome to the board, the Beach Crabs and the wonderful world of diving.