Cold Water?

[Diveoahu]

Thanks to all of you who helped clear that up for me. I don't look forward to the cold water, but it isn't going to keep me out of the water.

 

[dutch-scuba-kid]

Thanks to all of you who helped clear that up for me. I don't look forward to the cold water, but it isn't going to keep me out of the water.

Come on man. I know you're not used to diving in 'cold' waters. But californian waters aren't cold! I know it's all relative, but still. Try the dive, and if you feel chilly, use a 7mm wetsuit. I'm sure you won't be cold anymore. 7mm is more than enough over there.
Enjoy the dives!

 

[ScubaRon]

Come on man. I know you're not used to diving in 'cold' waters. But californian waters aren't cold! I know it's all relative, but still. Try the dive, and if you feel chilly, use a 7mm wetsuit. I'm sure you won't be cold anymore. 7mm is more than enough over there.
Enjoy the dives!

The first dive in CA waters is OK with a 7 mm wetsuit, at the second one I still get pretty cold...just like in Holland.

 

[saf_25]

I did a couple of dives in Monterey yesterday, and registered the water at 54 degrees. While it is "cold" water, relative to what you're used to in Hawaii, it's not as cold as those who dive in 30's and 40's degree water (I don't know how you guys do it). You probably won't need to spend the extra cash to get a specific "cold" water reg if the coldest diving you'll be doing is off California. Money would probably be better spent on good exposure protection, i.e., drysuit.

Mel
PADI Rescue Diver/Nitrox

This says it perfectly. If you're in So Cal, it usually tends to be a bit warmer than where Melfox is up in Monterrey - the dives I've done lately out of Catalina and Laguna were anywhere from 55-61 degrees. I"ve seen it hit 50, but seldom lower than that. So, at those temps, freezing regs isn't too much of a concern, but good exposure protection (at least a 7 ml, although I know a lot of people who dive dry year round) will be your first concern.
You can check out the CA Kelp Divers forum for more CA specific questions, and welcome!

 

[JacobsonC2]

This says it perfectly. If you're in So Cal, it usually tends to be a bit warmer than where Melfox is up in Monterrey - the dives I've done lately out of Catalina and Laguna were anywhere from 55-61 degrees. I"ve seen it hit 50, but seldom lower than that. So, at those temps, freezing regs isn't too much of a concern, but good exposure protection (at least a 7 ml, although I know a lot of people who dive dry year round) will be your first concern.
You can check out the CA Kelp Divers forum for more CA specific questions, and welcome!

cold diving, come try the great lakes...