California Meet and Greet (MAG)

[sarita75]

We should talk about this "coax-brad-to-come-dive-with-us" plan more, but after I get settled in Florida.

Will definitely have to get back into that mode as the time nears and when you are settled. We'd love to have you come back to CA for a bit!

 

[micboucher]

Brad has not skipped off to Florida just yet. He starts that intrepid journey on the 18th of this month. Just me and my cat.... It should be an interesting drive.

I actually got a Canon A570IS. Camera and housing together were about 300-350. I'd have to look at the receipt.

Judging by the way the Floridians dive and complain about cold water, I might become one of those who complains about the cold water....I'm planning on doing a DUI demo day in Georgia and I might eventually do the cave route, so who knows, I might have a drysuit by the time I come diving with you guys again. I might just have to fly out to do a liveaboard with you guys. Depends on where I'm at and what I'm doing. I could deployed overseas somewhere though. You never know. We should talk about this "coax-brad-to-come-dive-with-us" plan more, but after I get settled in Florida.

Yeah, I'm sure you'll be back...you're gonna miss Calif diving and of course, all of us. :14:

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

My choice would be to meet in Santa Barbara to go out on the Vision or Truth for some Channel Islands diving. Great diving and lots of time to mingle and get to know new people. Lodging and food would be taken care of too...all at a reasonable price.

The only thing about doing a boat trip is that the boats are limited in the numbers they can take. What does the biggest boat take, 30 something people?
What if the MAG grows to 50 - 60 or even 100.
Unless all three Truth boats want to do this and go to the same spots and raft up in the evening would this work I think, otherwise it's going to become an "exclusive" event.
This would also deny non diving family members, kids, and pets from attending.
A shore based event would solve all these problems.

 

[Hinalo]

Conception and Vision can accommodate around 35 divers, and you can book the whole boat or just book half the spaces while some other org books the other half. Booking multiple boats for the same trip seems impractical to me, given how far in advance you'd have to lay down a deposit, etc.

I do like the idea of a Channel Islands trip as a group outing, but it would be less inclusive than a M&G with dogs and kids and non-diver friends/spouses having fun topside while others dive.

 

[sarita75]

Perhaps we should see about the NYE trip next year for those who are interested in doing a meet and greet at the Channel Islands?

 

[Hinalo]

For Bay Area/Sonoma divers easy bookings on the Truth boats are through Pinnacles Dive Center and Bamboo Reef. Both of these shops sponsor three or four trips each year, either half-boat or whole boat bookings. The end of year trip I took last year was through Pinnacles. Other NCal shops that do these trips are Dolphin Scuba and Finstad's.

Of course, you can book spaces with any trip sponsor as long as you get in early enough. Last year I had a great time on Conception with divers from The Scuba Center in SoCal. But going with the local shops usually ensures you'll know more people on the boat.

 

[dhammer]

The only thing about doing a boat trip is that the boats are limited in the numbers they can take. What does the biggest boat take, 30 something people?
What if the MAG grows to 50 - 60 or even 100.
Unless all three Truth boats want to do this and go to the same spots and raft up in the evening would this work I think, otherwise it's going to become an "exclusive" event.
This would also deny non diving family members, kids, and pets from attending.
A shore based event would solve all these problems.

I say again - check out Pismo Beach. Family friendly, not too far from anybody, great beach, and the north end looks promising for diving.

 

[micboucher]

The only thing about doing a boat trip is that the boats are limited in the numbers they can take. What does the biggest boat take, 30 something people?
What if the MAG grows to 50 - 60 or even 100.
Unless all three Truth boats want to do this and go to the same spots and raft up in the evening would this work I think, otherwise it's going to become an "exclusive" event.
This would also deny non diving family members, kids, and pets from attending.
A shore based event would solve all these problems.

Yes, I agree the boat trip would limit the numbers and family members. Monterey would be a good place for all to enjoy for this MAG but I would love to get a group together to do a Truth Aquatics trip sometime.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Yes, I agree the boat trip would limit the numbers and family members. Monterey would be a good place for all to enjoy for this MAG but I would love to get a group together to do a Truth Aquatics trip sometime.

Yes that would be a lot of fun.
And if that was organized it would not have to be arranged through the Pinnacles, Bamboo Reef or any other dive shop. It could be reserved as a private party and the spaces could be offered wholesale to your friends, which would be a heck of a lot cheaper than through a dive shop. They have a big mark up on those trips. The only catch is that whoever books the boat has to have all the money up front to reserve the boat, then sell off the spaces up to the date of the trip. This could get a bit nerve racking plus a pretty good initial chunk of money.

 

[rainman_02]

Since it looks like Monterey is the top poll choice...why not send all the loved ones to the aquarium and cannery row while the divers are in the water (either on shore or from a boat)?