How do you keep your skills current during the winter?

[Dan Gibson]

High flow is the great equalizer! That is something we don't typically get here and I have to say is far tougher on a diver than limited vis.

Not exactly. While you gain some skills diving in those cold quarries, there are others you miss. I've taken lots of very active midwestern divers out on warm ocean dives only for the ocean to kick their butts.

 

[dmmike]

The best way is to get into a divemaster program. You get to keep in great shape all winter by hauling gear and tanks to the pool,chasing students around,......

But the best part is you get to dive every week for 2 1/2 hours, for free. This really keeps your skills up

 

[cummings66]

My opinion is.....

Every divers in Mid-west are dreaming about the resort and warm water dives. And, it used to be pricey as you

I don't dream about warm water, my drysuit would be too hot. I dream about a few hundred feet down in Lake Michigan, doing wrecks etc. I honestly don't care if I ever dive in warm water, it's not a goal nor a desire at this point in time.

What would I do with 100 feet of vis when I'm used to 10 or 20 on a good day. What would I do with temps above 70 F? I like diving the Midwest because it's more of a challenge. That's not to say I believe a midwest diver can dive anywhere, obviously there are things that don't exist here that will humble a diver elsewhere. I'm not that silly, yet.

IMO I don't do anything different, I dive year round without fail and enjoy it. I really enjoy it when there's ice floating in the water, the vis is very nice during the coldest part of the year, we might hit 30 feet of vis then and it's awesome. I'm being serious, Winter diving is the best diving in the world.

So, pursue training and get a drysuit. If you enjoy diving and don't want to break the bank you'll dive the Midwest and only do an occasional dive outside it.

 

[Hoosier]

It looks like my word choice, "EVERY," is irritating some members here.

We are talking about the rec. diving here,not technical divings such as cave or wreck. There is also great lakes in Mid-west side. So, mid-west divers can experience the current and high waves if they are ready.

I am not sure how much he spent for FL trip as OW though, it might be $1.5K or $2K? And he still has a debt to pay back.

I doubt that the dry suit is feasible advice for him at this moment.....

 

[Cacia]

Onfloat lays on the back of his couch and does backwards frog kicks and heli turns...even though it's Hawaii.

 

[do it easy]

Surge, Current, Crashing Waves, Rocky Entries, Draw Out (and caps in every word.... what the hell is my problem??!) are very challenging in their own way. Below, in still water, its no biggie. But schlepping your rig through tons of moving water and sand is a different story.

---
Ken

Don't forget the fish and the salt- I'm not sure which scares me more...

and geez, what is up with that tide thing?

 

[JungleJoe]

Find a dive club, join it, get cer'd in Ice diving, get a 7mm wetsuit or go dry, and then get w/the crew and go ice diving, it's awesome !

 

[Steve_Dives]

I also completed my OW in Key West. Not exactly cheap, but flooding a mask with sea water...priceless.

I'm also a mid-west diver, freezing my :no off in cold quarries. I'll be driving 2-2.5 hours this weekend (one way) to dive. Yes that stinks. Yes getting out of the water into air below freezing will further freeze my :no . But I know I need practice.

Someone suggested a refresher from your LDS, so I'll hop on that bandwagon. Mine charges $25 or $50, I forget what.

 

[ArcticDiver]

Depends on how bad you want to dive and how much money you have. My nearest winter diving is about 8 hours away either by road(Prince William Sound), or by air (Hawaii or Washington)

The biggest challenge is finding a LDS for logistical support and buddies when going outside the established tourist areas, or outside the Anchorage area of influence.

 

[Gil57usa]

Here in the Great White North (upstate NY) we Dive the Fingerlakes year-round.