Just got Cert!!! Now what?

[scjoe]

You might want to try some of the local dive groups.

South Coast Divers is an internet list group that meets every Sat and Sun at 7:30 am at the Laguna Hills Mall next to Kings Fish House. They probably dive Crescent the most, but they also dive Heisler a lot. There is nothing to join. You just show up at the mall.

Laguna Sea Dwellers is a traditional dive club that has club dives at least once a month from the Laguna Sea Sports dive shop. They alternate Saturdays and Sundays and usually dive Shaw's although some dive Crescent or Diver's. The more active divers show up almost every Saturday. Someone at the store could probably give you more info.

South Orange County Dive Club also does regular local beach dives. It is not connected with a store, although it is the successor to the Sport Chalet dive club in the area.

All these groups have a mix of very experienced to relatively new divers and some cross over members/participants.

 

[dwaters]

Welcome to the addicting world of SCUBA. Lot of good advise here and I will second the idea of meeting up with your fellow scubaboard Wrinkles dives...even if you get only one dive in, you will meet with many helpfull future buddies. Also, as stated earlier, check out www.southcoastdivers.com ... they were good to me as I started learning and will still jump in when I want to get a Saturday A.M. dive in. Hope to see 'ya in the water soon. Dive safe and enjoy!

 

[Jesster]

Congrats on your cert. I would suggest picking up a copy of "southern Californias best beach dives" it is a great book covering many of the best spots to dive around the area. I also second (or third,lol) the advice on spring straps, best $30 you'll ever spend on gear. Also check out / sign up for sandeaters.org and ocdiving.com, many people post over these for buddies and it goes out as an e-mail to all members. Have fun & be safe. I dive every other weekend and sometimes during the week so feel free to hit me up.

 

[pasley]

Congratulations on becoming a diver.

New diver sites with big fish. Well big fish usally mean deep water or where deep water comes close to shore. So for now, how about fish, small and medium size, but lots of them.

Leo Carrillo Beach Malibu - easy access and kelp beds too (usally)
Nicholas Beach Malibu - easy access
Malibu Road, Malibu - easy access, kelp beds
Corral Beach, Malibu - easy access
Vets park Redondo Beach - Best dove as a night dive once you get certified for that.
Crescent Cove - Laguna Beach

www.sandeaters.org will describe sites and how to get there.

Good diving and remember, if you ask "Do You Think It Is Ok To Dive?" the answer is "No" for that is your good sense telling you to dive another day. It is better to go to the beach and not dive when you should have, than to go and dive when you should not have. Error on the side of caution and live to dive another day.

First 15 or 20 dives are really training for you. Just relax and enjoy the view. Try to not cover more than 25 or 50 yards on a dive, this will force you to slow down and see what most young divers speed right over. Ocean critters survive by being camouflauged and hard to see, so you have to slow down and look close.

 

[MntbikerBamBam]

cool, thanks, im actually gonna go for my first certified dive to little corona.

 

[So Cal Shaggy]

Congrats on getting your C-card. There are lots of places to go in the OC area your best bet is to hook up with a local group. When you buy gear buy what is comfortable for you you will get many opinions as to what other people prefer but if will boil down to personal comfort what works well for some may not work well for you. Now I am not saying that the advice you have been givien so far has been bad I am merely saying try before you buy. Good luck to you and see you out in the water.

 

[ICY ICE]

Congrats on your cert!

If you want to dive Malibu...check out www.valleyscuba.com


I wouldn't buy any gear(besides the basics) till you have at least 25 dives, let the sport sink in. Rent from the same shop and they'll give you a deal when you're ready to get some gear.