Greetings All,

[East Coast Conch]

Howdy,
I'm new to the site and new to the diving world.
I've just completed my open water cert. in a Virginia quarry, of all places, and am looking for some recommendations on where to go for my first few dives.
The dive experience in the quarry left much to be desired. The 7 mill farmer john suit is likened to crawling into thick, black, shrink wrap. Combined with the 90 degree Virginia weather, just getting to the water was an aerobic work out. All of that just to keep from freezing your tanks off when your 40 foot deep, I hope my next few dives are a bit warmer and the viz is at least 10 foot, did I mention it was a bit murky too? All in all though It was a great time and the group I was with made the weekend fun.
So I'm open for suggestions from where to go and what type wears to buy first.
This looks like a great site, so I guess I'll just browse around a bit.
Drop me a line if you have some suggestions.
Hope to CYA around,
The East Coast Conch

 

[Scott Riemer]

Welcome and congratulations on your certification.

 

[murphdivers286]

Welcome Aboard!!!

It's addictive, but who cares?!?!?

Good friends and good info. What could be better???

P.S. - If you have not already done so, please fill out your profile.

ANY WATER!!!

 

[RIDIVER501]

welcome to the board

 

[GrierHPharmD]

Well, I'm from NC, now living in FL, and I'll have to say that South Florida is a great destination. You can dive almost anywhere between West Palm Beach and the Keys. Drop by the Florida Conch Divers forum, and you can get a feel for some of the places we go.

Welcome to the board,
Grier

 

[scuba_chick55]

Welcome to the board.

 

[jkennedy]

Welcome to the board........

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy!

Welcome to SB!! :happywave Put us in your computer's favorites and check in often. This is a great place to learn, compare, argue Look around our various forums - everything from New-To-Scuba to Instructors-Only to Dive Medicine.

There's great diving off of NC - I coming to dive it again in a couple of months, but it's not for newbies. South Florida is great, and - when you have logged 50 dives, maybe got your AOW & Nitrox, the wrecks will be there.

don

BTW - Did you set up your Profile? Some ideas for your Profle might be taken from looking at mine. Click on my Username to the upper left, then click on my Profile, and see what I've done. For your's, click the [CP] in the upper left of the screen, then click [Edit Profile]. If you need any help, PM me direct.

 

[baitedstorm]

Heya and welcome!

 

[headhunter]

Welcome to ScubaBoard!

Lots of warm water places to dive, but it sounds like you should look into a comfortable suit for your colder diving. If a suit fits you well, you won't feel like you're ready to pass out before you even get to the water.

I recently got a 7mm Henderson Hyperstretch wetsuit and I've never seen an easier or more comfortable wetsuit to don. I don't know how well it will wear over time, or how warm it will be mid-winter, but it sure is comfy! I eventually plan on getting a drysuit for colder diving anyway.

Dive safe!

Christian