Monterey - July 2??

[JulesVerne]

Hi, I'll be in Palo Alto for July 4 weekend and was thinking about getting wet on Sat. July 2 in Monterey or nearby. A few questions:
- Since i'll be by myself, do you know of any groups/clubs diving on that day that would welcome a diver?
- Do you know of a local place where I could rent a tank (if possible filled with Air or Nitrox )
- I wear a 5mm wetsuit + hooded vest, gloves and booties. I think I should be fine during the summer. Am i right?

Thanks


About me
- average diver, not super experienced but not a beginner either (approx 70 logged dives)
- do mostly warm water
- good air management

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

Any of the dive shops can rent you a filled tank. In Monterey, Manta Ray, Aquarius
Del Monte, and Monterey Bay Dive Center do Nitrox. There's a (hopefully complete)
list of dive shops at http://www.garlic.com/~triblet/ba_diving/links/shops.html

The water will on just be starting to warm up then. July 4 last year, I had 47F. Your
5 mm will probably be VERY marginal.

 

[Ben_ca]

Hi, I'll be in Palo Alto for July 4 weekend and was thinking about getting wet on Sat. July 2 in Monterey or nearby. A few questions:
- Since i'll be by myself, do you know of any groups/clubs diving on that day that would welcome a diver?
- Do you know of a local place where I could rent a tank (if possible filled with Air or Nitrox )
- I wear a 5mm wetsuit + hooded vest, gloves and booties. I think I should be fine during the summer. Am i right?

Thanks


About me
- average diver, not super experienced but not a beginner either (approx 70 logged dives)
- do mostly warm water
- good air management

You'll be very cold in a 5 mil... If I may suggest take a drysuit class while your down here... Then you'll have an instructor/tourguide, ample thermal protection and knock out some of your training. Just a suggestion.

 

[dannobee]

Hmmm, a potential buddy for kayak diving Garrapata State Park.

I won't sugar coat it, you'll be COLD in the 5mm suit. How thick are your gloves and booties?

 

[divenut2001]

Hi, I'll be in Palo Alto for July 4 weekend and was thinking about getting wet on Sat. July 2 in Monterey or nearby. A few questions:
- Since i'll be by myself, do you know of any groups/clubs diving on that day that would welcome a diver?
- Do you know of a local place where I could rent a tank (if possible filled with Air or Nitrox )
- I wear a 5mm wetsuit + hooded vest, gloves and booties. I think I should be fine during the summer. Am i right?

Thanks


About me
- average diver, not super experienced but not a beginner either (approx 70 logged dives)
- do mostly warm water
- good air management

A 5mil won't cut it. Rent a 7mil and get a guided tour. Have fun.

 

[zinmaker]

Do you have a 3 mil that will fit under the 5 mil? How thick is the hooded vest? If not you can rent a drysuit in Monterey. I have dove in a single piece 7 mil, and have been cold on my second dive. I also have 3 mil gloves, and don't suggest much thicker just so you have some dexterity, and a 5/3 hood. Try the breakwater in Monterey, you should be able to find a buddy.

 

[JulesVerne]

Do you have a 3 mil that will fit under the 5 mil? How thick is the hooded vest? If not you can rent a drysuit in Monterey. I have dove in a single piece 7 mil, and have been cold on my second dive. I also have 3 mil gloves, and don't suggest much thicker just so you have some dexterity, and a 5/3 hood. Try the breakwater in Monterey, you should be able to find a buddy.

Thanks everyone for their quick response. I have a 6/5/4 hooded vest but it doesn't seem that it will cut it. (I also have 3mm gloves and boots). The idea of the dry suit training is a very good one, it combines learning something useful, getting a "tour guide" and give me more flexibility in terms of logistics. I'll call the shops to inquire.

 

[zinmaker]

It is amazing what I write after a few beers and half a bottle of wine at 2:30 in the morning. I have revised what I said; hope it makes a little more sense.

Do you have a 3 mil that will fit under the 5 mil? How thick is the hooded vest? If not you can rent a wetsuit in Monterey. I have a single piece 7mil, and get cold on my second dive. Recently I purchased a drysuit and am much happier. I also have 3 mil gloves, and don't suggest much thicker just so you have some dexterity, and a 5/3 hood. Try the breakwater in Monterey, you should be able to find a buddy.

 

[miskatonic]

Monterey is colder in the summer then it is in the winter.

 

[Ishie]

Yup. Not sure if my dive computer's accurate on temperature, but at 63' I was getting 48 degrees this past Saturday, with an average temp on the other dives of 51-53.

Though heard some reports of 58. Dunno.

I tolerate cold quite well and when it starts getting over 54, I often don't wear a hood, but I have my two piece, seven mil wetsuit over a dive skin. Can't imagine doing it in a 5 mil, not even really a 7/5, though I've seen people do it.