Lurking New Diver

[Scuba Doula]

I've only done one open-water dive toward my certification. I'm in Maine and diving is a lot of work! I still love it, but can't wait until I'm a little more used to all of the equipment and when I can wear less weight! I wanted to post here to see if there's any other divers that learned in Maine and that maybe continued to dive New England and weren't drawn into diving to go to the tropics!

 

[ScubaSarus]

Thats me for sure. Have been diving 1o yrs and all NE diving. Would like to go to the tropics but there is so much to see here in NE.

From Maine to RI would be the tropics as the water is 20 deg warmer in the summer and we get tropicals in August.

 

[mgctutor]

I'v been diving boston harbor islands for the past five years. only been in the tropics a couple of times...

 

[Mike W]

I did my O/W dives at Nubble light 25 yrs ago and the best advice I'd give you is to Dive, Dive and Dive. I remember my instructor telling me that "Certified doesn't mean Qualified". When you get a drivers license, that doesn't mean you automatically know how to drive in the rain or snow. You need to practice in different conditions to become more comfortable. Your air consumption will become better, you'll drop more lead off the belt and become more comfortable with every dive. Sure there will be days when you have problems with gear or rough conditions, but that's part of the learning curve. Check into joining a local dive club. I did that and found out that I wasn't the only one who didn't really know how to use a compass. You'll learn a lot just by listening to other divers about what works for them. This forum is a great source of info so just get out there and DIVE!

 

[spectrum]

I've only done one open-water dive toward my certification. I'm in Maine and diving is a lot of work! I still love it, but can't wait until I'm a little more used to all of the equipment and when I can wear less weight! I wanted to post here to see if there's any other divers that learned in Maine and that maybe continued to dive New England and weren't drawn into diving to go to the tropics!

Sign me up as an enthusiastic local diver!

Sure warm water is fun. However, unless you have a travel budget and leisure time to kill what you see is what you get. That's not bad visibility, it's life, our water is full of life. Don't fret the gear. With practice you will learn to handle it all just fine.

When you get your badge give me a shout and maybe we can share a site or 2.

Pete

 

[charlesg3]

Scuba Duola,

I've learned and love diving in New England (mostly Mass.). As you know, once you dive a bit more you'll become much more comfortable with the gear and knowing where everything is. The cold water does make things a little more difficult, but all in all I think it'll make you a better diver in the long run.

 

[Scuba Doula]

So excited to get out there and dive...now if only the rain would stop and on a day where I'm not working or home by myself with the kids!!!

 

[spectrum]

Visibility was splendid at 2 Lights in Cape Elizabeth today! With all of the recent rain it was an unexpected treat. Don't let the season slip away!

Pete

 

[sunapeebob]

I did a separate thread about boat dives with Cape Ann 7/3. We dove a beautiful pink granite formation that looked alot like the coral canyons my son and I dove in Key Largo last year. It was beautiful, covered with starfish. I agree with others that northern divers can accomodate to warmer waters fairly easily, not vice versa. My son and I did an unsuccessful dive to try and find the Wetamoo on Lake Sunapee yesterday. We will dive here from April to November. I have been diving for two years now and am starting to feel somewhat self sufficient. As others have said, dive - dive- dive. Nothings makes you better like experience.

 

[mark_the_singer]

Scuba Doula,

I got certified in PA but I love Maine diving. I'm hoping to get some people together to do some wreck diving up to Moosehead Lake. Let me know if you'd be interested in joining us. Maine diving is great, especially Eastport.