Question Local divers, how do you motivate yourself when the weather is crap?

[34109411]

It's that time of year, the days are getting shorter and the rain is here. They are calling for a lomg cold winter and it's starting early this year.

Despite k owing that the vis is better and the water really isn't any colder, I find it hars to get motivated to suit up and go dive when it's cold and rainy out. I know, what's going to happen? I get wet?

I'm wondering what other people do to motivate themselves to get in the water omce the weather has started to turn for the year.

i go dive anyway! Some of the most beautiful dive i ve done are in september and october. For me season end november 1. So i will dive any days before that hot or cold rain or not ! Going to dive tomorrow .

 

[34109411]

I keep telling myself that the alternative is to be at my desk doing work or listening to commands from the wife.

 

[ShallowSeasGallery]

As a local diver my default is diving, if the weather is truly not conducive to diving, too rough on the beach AND too murky at the protected spot... just means I finally have to get around to the regular "to do list".

Theres maybe only 1-2 weekends an entire year where I cant make it happen

 

[Vicko]

Oh no, will the rain get you wet before you jump in the water?

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

What are you diving for? Sightseeing? Fish hunting? Skill practice? Your answer will determine your reason

 

[larsdennert]

Good to get some exercise and be with friends. It also prevents me from thinking about anything else while I'm underwater.

 

[TMHeimer]

The best time to dive is when the water and air are similar temperatures, which starts now in the PNW.

Agree. About now is when water gets a little warmer than air here and that progresses through Oct. Then it's all cold....

 

[Seaweed Doc]

I like the colder weather. Fewer divers competing for parking spots, and the water is often clearer.

Now if it's a howling gale, that's another matter. But even high winds in our part of the world aren't a huge deal. There's not a lot of fetch for the waves to build up over, and there's usually a lee side of a peninsula to dive on.

A couple thoughts to make it more pleasant:

1. Make sure to bring warm water to the dive site, especially if you're in a wet suit. Pour it down the suit post-dive for an instant private hot tub.

2. Night diving is a blast, and this time of year it doesn't mean staying up past midnight because sunset was 9:30 pm.

3. Maybe adjust plans to just do one dive, rather than a couple. Even in a wetsuit, you can tough out that one dive.

4. Dry suit. If you aren't diving dry yet, winter diving will convince you.

 

[happy-diver]

I put the bottom wetsuit half and booties on at home then drive around with the heater on looking for a site

 

[Searcaigh]

Where I live we dive year round, drysuit or 7mm when it gets below 23C which is usually in January to March.

Currently we have a vast temperature difference between the west and east coasts.

In winter the west coast will be around 18/19C and east coast 22/23C
In summer the west coast will be 34/35C and east coast 27/28C