Just moved here from NYC finally! :)

[scubadobadoo]

My family and I finally moved here from NYC (we have almost moved here to the LA area before but lost the nerve to leave work and friends) and we are looking to dive more.

I have a quick question regarding thermal protection. What type/thickness of wet suit do people use here for shore diving? I assume mostly 5 and 7 with hood and gloves? It's been a long time since I have been diving wet in cold waters (always use a dry suit) but I hate using a dry suit for shore diving (no pee valve, sand everywhere, overheating walking 500 yards to the water etc...) for a number of reasons and want to move to a wet suit. It seems since I last dove a 7mm that the industry has moved away from farmer johns and semi-dry suits and most are now selling stretchy 7mm one piece suits with some semi-dry qualities. Any thoughts on this?

Mostly we will only do a few dives a month and usually just one shore dive a day. Mostly shallow diving. I am looking at some older semi-dry suits on sale at LP and also considering a one piece 7mm with a hooded vest but I guess I will just have to rent a wet suit and see if I get cold here in it. We shall see. I love the warmth of a dry suit but I hate dealing with it honestly.

I am also looking for some buddies to introduce me/us to some new shore dives if anyone is interested? I have books galore on the topic and SB helps but I find there is nothing like a friendly guide who loves to show off his/her back yard dive. My wife and I are slow moving fish/life watchers who prefer to stay shallow. We have done several shore dives before but surf is kinda new to us. We don't take pictures and we are very easy going and attentive/safe underwater. We don't mind low viz coming from NYC waters. (this sounds like a Craig's List advert hee hee) I have done Redondo (once 5 years ago), Old Marine Land (a long time ago), Catalina (4 times about 5 yrs ago), and we just spent the weekend at Leo Carrillo beach but we didn't dive. Looks pretty good! We saw a few pods of dolphin right in front of the kelp beds! What a lovely place!

Thanks in advance for ANY thoughts on thermal protection, shore diving here, or some clubs or group suggestions.

 

[Rainer]

Welcome!

Personally, I'd just suggest getting used to the drysuit. It's what I dive 99% of the time here.

Those diving wetsuits tend to have a 7mm suit + 4-6mm hooded vest.

Seriously, if you plan to dive a lot locally, get back in the DS.

 

[ligersandtions]

I agree with Rainer....I dive dry more than he does (I think he's done a handful of wetsuit dives this year to my one!!). You learn to be efficient when shore diving in a drysuit. As soon as the drysuit is zipped up, the chit-chatting stops, everyone puts their gear on and heads for the water right away.

FWIW, a p-valve is a very easy install....and for the guys, it's pretty simple to learn and use (can't say so much about the female version, sadly).

Where are you living? SD, OC, LA, north, inland?? I'm sure there are lots of people who would be happy to take you out and show you around a bit....just a matter of where you plan to do most of your diving. Welcome to socal....enjoy!

 

[Venom]

Welcome to SoCal!
As said, posting where your at will help with where to go

I only dive wet, and most of the year it's with 7mm one piece with a 3mm hooded vest underneath. 5mm golves and 5mm booties.
When water temps drop below 55 it starts to get a bit chilly. 51 down right cold and usually cut the dive a bit short.
This year seems to have been a bit colder than usual and has gotten me thinkin about one of those dry suits.

Cheers.

 

[on_two_wheels]

I'll add one for the drysuit. Even in summer I dive dry. Then again, I rarely do beach dives. If I do one I'll probably go wet. But out at catalina on a boat, staying in a drysuit isn't too uncomfortable. I'm a wimp with cold, though. Being from AZ, 65 degree water is cool enough for my drysuit. When I do dive wet, I use a 7mm in over 65 degree water, add my 3mm vest in colder.

Welcome to CA and enjoy the diving!!

 

[diver_doug]

All of my dives have been in a wetsuit. I don't think a drysuit is overkill, but not necessary either. For shore diving out here, you're looking at depths of around 20-50ft., temps around 53F-70F. I have very little body fat and as long as I'm fully neoprened (7mm wetsuit, hood, vest, boots, gloves) 53F isn't too bad. Once you get to summer months with 65F-70F water, all you really need is a wetsuit and boots.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

It's been a cold summer and the dry suit has been in order. Usually about a third to half the year here is good for wetsuits. Who knows maybe it will still warmup this year. But then maybe I should not have lost that 10 lbs! Seriously if you want to dive wet get a 7 mm and hooded vest.

Lots of beach diving opportunities, Malibu, Palos Verdes, OC and San Diego all offer places to go.

 

[Rainer]

53F isn't too bad.

The point is, though, diving locally doesn't have to be "bad" at all. Seriously, a dry suit is SOOOOO much nicer than diving wet (at least <65F). If all you've done is dive in a wetsuit, you owe it to yourself as an active local SoCal diver to try diving dry. It's literally night and day in terms of comfort.

I have three dives this year wet. I was freezing by the end of each.

 

[Rainer]

But then maybe I should not have lost that 10 lbs!

Fat: that **** will keep you warm. (Congrats, BTW!)

 

[scubadobadoo]

Thanks for the input gang. I kinda already guessed what the answers would be but it still helps to hear specifics and personal opinions especially since it has been almost 5 years since we last went diving here in Socal. I think I forgot how cold I used to be in a wet suit below 70 degrees. It seems also the constant sunshine here keeps making me think I can get away with a wet suit but I am sure that will change when the rush of cold water hits me again.

I live in Sherman Oaks and I am sometimes free on weekdays as well as weekends depending on my varying work schedule. My wife is a 9-5er so only weekends for her for the most part. I don't mind driving a bit. Any decent shops in the Valley? I have only been in Sport Chalet thus far.