Hello from Los Angeles

[Vengro]

I just recently acquired my OW certificate in New Jersey, which also meant that I got to do my check out dives at Dutch Springs, which is one of the neatest places I've ever seen so far, in terms of scuba diving. I was able to buy a 3/2 wetsuit (scuba max), fins (oceanic), a hood, a mask (cressi big eyes), a snorkel (although I've only used it during my classes. I like the regulator a lot better), boots (bare), and gloves, but not anything else since I don't have the budget for it at the moment.

While in New Jersey, I was able to rent my equipment from the LDS, and since they were also responsible for my certification and knew me fairly well, they gave me discounts, so I was able to continue. Unfortunatly, I'm moving back to school this Wednesday, which is in the center of Los Angeles. I've tried looking up information on clubs or groups in my area, and the closest I was able to find was Catalina Islands, which is not close at all, especially when the only transportation available is on the bus. For those who live in Los Angeles, you know how catastrophic the bus systems are!

So, it looks like my scuba diving adventures will have to put on hold for the time being, or until I can raise enough money to start buying more equipment. However, I'm still interested in learning all I can through reading if perhaps not through the actual diving, which is one reason why I joined up on the board. I can feel jealous about everyone who's going out while I'm stuck in the middle of the concrete city.

 

[ScubaJW]

Welcome Aboard!!! Hope you will find a lot of useful information from Scubaboard!


Safe Ascent,
wildmtn

 

[Scott Riemer]

Last I checked, there's diving close to L.A. Post in the California Kelp Divers forum and try to find a buddy. There several dive shops in L.A. and nearby in Long Beach/San Pedro area. For one, Pacific Wilderness in San Pedro. They rent equipment and have a club which regularily does local shore dives and frequent boat dives to Catalina.

Welcome to the board.

 

[Dan Kom]

Welcome to the board!

 

[sb_diver]

Hey, Check out the SoCal section in the California Kelp Divers part of the forum. I know of several dive shops around LA and beach diving there too. Does your school have a dive club? I'm at UCSB and we have a club here and I know some of the other schools in SoCal have dive clubs. Welcome to the board and dive safe and dive often.

Thomas

I just recently acquired my OW certificate in New Jersey, which also meant that I got to do my check out dives at Dutch Springs, which is one of the neatest places I've ever seen so far, in terms of scuba diving. I was able to buy a 3/2 wetsuit (scuba max), fins (oceanic), a hood, a mask (cressi big eyes), a snorkel (although I've only used it during my classes. I like the regulator a lot better), boots (bare), and gloves, but not anything else since I don't have the budget for it at the moment.

While in New Jersey, I was able to rent my equipment from the LDS, and since they were also responsible for my certification and knew me fairly well, they gave me discounts, so I was able to continue. Unfortunatly, I'm moving back to school this Wednesday, which is in the center of Los Angeles. I've tried looking up information on clubs or groups in my area, and the closest I was able to find was Catalina Islands, which is not close at all, especially when the only transportation available is on the bus. For those who live in Los Angeles, you know how catastrophic the bus systems are!

So, it looks like my scuba diving adventures will have to put on hold for the time being, or until I can raise enough money to start buying more equipment. However, I'm still interested in learning all I can through reading if perhaps not through the actual diving, which is one reason why I joined up on the board. I can feel jealous about everyone who's going out while I'm stuck in the middle of the concrete city.

 

[Vengro]

Hey, Check out the SoCal section in the California Kelp Divers part of the forum. I know of several dive shops around LA and beach diving there too. Does your school have a dive club? I'm at UCSB and we have a club here and I know some of the other schools in SoCal have dive clubs. Welcome to the board and dive safe and dive often.

Thomas

This is the funny part. I go to USC, and so I was surfing around the web to see what I could find in regards to scuba clubs. I figured a school in Los Angeles would have to have one. I managed to find out that the University of South Carolina has a scuba club and that USC has it's own school devoted to diving and marine biology. Their school is located on Catalina Islands, complete with hyperbaric chamber. Problem: There's no actual club at the school located in Los Angeles. I was amused and mad at the same time.

I'll have to look into the different shops in the area. My main problem is being able to get to the shops. Nice to meet you!

 

[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.

Hey - I've flown out from here to dive Catalina, as it's great. Bus to Long Beach, ferry across, and join the parade to Scuba Park. Check our South Calf forum.

don

 

[headhunter]

Hi Vengro,

Welcome to ScubaBoard!

I've had a couple of cousins and friends that have gone to USC. L.A. is a tough place to live without transportation!

Are you living in the dorms? The reason I ask is that you may find someone that dives in the dorm that has a car or truck. I bet they'd be more than happy to drive if they could find a buddy to dive with (that would be you)! You might try posting on a dorm bulletin board.

Then you could get to all of the diving that the people here on the board do quite often with your new diving dorm buddy.

Also, if you post in our California Kelp Diver's SoCal forum, and express an interest in going on a particular dive while explaining you're a student at USC that is currently without transportation, you'll probably find someone that drives by you on the way to a dive that could pick you up.

There are probably some creative solutions as well. Like taking a bus to a Local Dive Shop (LDS) and meeting up with someone that could drive from there.

Hope this helps get you started.

Dive safe!

Christian

 

[Vengro]

I don't live in the dorms, but I do live on campus, so that option is still viable. I'll mosey on over to the Southern California boards and forage around. I guess the next step would be for me to find a nice dive shop around the area with nice people that work there. Thanks a lot for the suggestions!

 

[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.

You will find a way. Keep up the hope.