By diving cold, we get to dive much more often than we would otherwise. Hitting the local quarry is a matter of "hey, wanna go dive now?" vs having to plan and pay for a trip somewhere. Back home in a couple hours, no dog-sitter needed, etc.
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At this point in my limited experience, I do not need a reason other than it is a chance to breath underwater!!!
I have a question...
If you dive in the cold (anywhere you need a 5mm or more) and where vis is typically less than 10ft, why do you dive?
Another great reason for diving cold water....no psycho cabbages trying to knife me.
I'm also a Torontonian. I have never dived where the visibility was less than ten feet, so no comment on that. But I will say that I have no idea what a 5 mil wet suit feels like.
I took my AOW in the St. Lawrence River and rented a 7 mil wet suit with a 7 mil hooded vest. I can say quite honestly that I hated it. It was bulky and restrictive. And I had to load myself down with lead to submerge. Ugh! I bought a dry suit and let me tell you, it makes a HUGE difference.
You're warm, you're dry, and there's nothing like being dry between dives if you dive in the Spring or Fall. And the buoyancy? Dry suits don't compress like neoprene, so you don't have to weight yourself down just to submerge and then fill your wing with air to compensate for the suit being crushed at depth. It makes diving easier, not harder.
So, with respect to "cold" water, a dry suit solves the problem. As to why... Well of course you dive your home turf. It's more than just availability. If you love your homeland, you want to look around, to see what's there. I like travelling to dive, but there are beautiful wrecks and walls right here at home to enjoy. And the viz is terrific, so that is not an issue.
Here's a little taste:
Warren Lo's Cold Water Pictures
p.s. Someone else mentioned the magic of limited visibility. Viz in the St. Lawrence has been good for the last decade due to Zebra Mussels. However, on that first week-end, My instructor and I did a drift onto and off of an easy wreck. the instructions were clear: line up at the stern of the boat, jump in, touch the head if you're ok, then submerge IMMEDIATELY.
I did so, and my instructor buddies up with me at 10' and we started to descend, leveled out. I could see the bottom of the river, and it felt like we were flying over it as the current carried us downstream. Then ahead, emerging from the gloom... A ship, lying upside-down with its broken mast splayed out...
My eyes were the size of saucers as I exhaled and tried for a poinpoint landing right off the stern. It was like sky diving without the sky or parachute, and knowing that if you miss the target you carry on down the river. What a rush!
Lillie Parson?