First Kelp Dive

[Teamcasa]

Have a blast!
One more word of caution, many maneuvers in kelp require a single file buddy pair and quick turns. Look back or make sure the leader looks back often, keep in touch with your buddy.

And, don't forget to turn over and stare up the stalks toward the sun. The view is stunning.

 

[merxlin]

Be prepared to gain weight. The food on the Truth boats is quite good.

Think of kelp like speghetti. Twist and turn like a fork and you'll wrap a bunch around you. Also, most boats tend to not anchor "in" the kelp, but just outside of it. That said, the boat can swing and you find you have to surface through it to get to the swim platform. Whenever possible, drop down and ascend as close to vertically as you can. It is also a bit slippery, so watch for it on ladders etc.

 

[Leejnd]

I just want to say I'm impressed that you have made the effort to learn something about this before doing it. I have encountered MANY divers on our local boats who are here on vacation, and had no clue what to expect with regards to kelp diving. There are sad stories out there of divers from other areas coming here and losing their lives in the kelp. Which is not to say that kelp is deadly...it certainly doesn't have to be, provided one has taken just a small amount of time to learn about it.

You've received some excellent advice already. To add to it, here is a terrific article about diving in kelp, written by Jean-Michel Cousteau:

MBNMS: 10 Steps To Better Eco-Diving In Kelp Forests

Much of the advice you've already received is contained in this article, along with some additional tips and information that will surely help you have a safer and more enjoyable dive.

 

[diver_doug]

Here's what you should know:

I don't care what marine biologists think...kelp is a conscious entity and if it doesn't like you or senses fear from you it will attack. If it likes you and you are unafraid (but not cocky) it will move out of your way .

 

[JTinSD]

Good advice already posted. I would suggest leaving an extra cushion of a couple hundred psi if you are ascending other than on the anchor line. It is a good idea to do a safety stop, surface, take a bearing, and drop down below the canopy and head for the boat, instead of surfacing with minimal air and doing the "California Kelp Crawl" to get back to the boat. Have fun, the kelp is great, the environment is full of things to see from surface to bottom.

 

[fnfalman]

Good advice already posted. I would suggest leaving an extra cushion of a couple hundred psi if you are ascending other than on the anchor line. It is a good idea to do a safety stop, surface, take a bearing, and drop down below the canopy and head for the boat, instead of surfacing with minimal air and doing the "California Kelp Crawl" to get back to the boat. Have fun, the kelp is great, the environment is full of things to see from surface to bottom.

Yep. And even if you were to surface with minimum air, assuming that it doesn't mean you've down to 100-psi, you can still dip back down about 5-ft and swim underneath the kelps.

 

[muddiver]

Here's what you should know:

I don't care what marine biologists think...kelp is a conscious entity and if it doesn't like you or senses fear from you it will attack. If it likes you and you are unafraid (but not cocky) it will move out of your way .

Yet you fprget the most fearsom of all sea creatures along the west coast....

The giant, leaping purple sea urchin.

They have been known to jump 6-feet in surgy conditions! :shocked2:

 

[kevindwhite]

Thanks again everyone for the helpful advice, especially the info about surface swimming with kelp. Knowing is half the battle.

 

[fnfalman]

Thanks again everyone for the helpful advice, especially the info about surface swimming with kelp. Knowing is half the battle.

The big impetus for my striving hard to achieve good buoyancy control was to play in the kelps. It's heavenly to just flip on your back, float a bit and watch the sun ray penetrate the overhead layer just like Teamcasa said.

Not to mention there are lots of fish staying near the kelps to hide from predators. So you can hang out and check'em out too. After a while, they'd feel comfortable and sidle up next to you within arms reach. Heck, you can even grab their tails sometimes.

 

[merxlin]

Also, find a spot that you can stop at and look for the small stuff. Your safety stop is perfect for this. Get back to the boat and if you have plenty of air, just find a spot at 15-20ft and hang out. You can literally grab a stalk and just hang there. Look for snails, juvenile fish, small crabs etc. Also, since you are very still and somewhat camouflaged, larger fish will often come right up to you as they swim through the forest. It really is a magical place.