New to the Area

[underwatergirl1979]

Hey Divers,

I just moved to the LA area from Washington State. I am looking to start diving out here and would appreciate any help on where is good to go, dive clubs, dive buddies...etc.

I am AOW, Rescue diver with Deep Diving (130f). I have approx. 300 dives under my belt, most of them being Shore dives. Approx. 150 of those dives being to around the 130fsw depth up here in the PNW. I prefer shore diving unless, it is wreck diving...but I am open...I also have my own gear, including a dry suit and 3mm wet(not sure what the preference is out here or what works best).

Anyway, if anyone is willing to give a newbie to the area some help...I would greatly appreciate it!!!

GO BLOW BUBBLES....
Annette :14:

 

[Makin Raider]

Welcome to SoCal Annette,

You're definitely in the right place on this board, Christian (Headhunter) has a whole calendar full of events planned.

Mo2vation Dives are monthly boat dives and Wrinkles are monthly beach dives and from there you'll meet a very active bunch of locals...


Mo2vation Dives
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=169079

Wrinkles Dives - This link is to the March Beach dive but the schedule is listed at the end of the post.
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=169089

If you're looking for something diving related this weekend there's the Avalon Clean up tomorrow and the California Wreck Divers Annual Banquet tomorrow night. The hosts of Deep Sea Detectives will be there.

http://www.cawreckdivers.org/banquet.htm

We could steer you to dive clubs if could you give us an idea where in SoCal you are.

Hope this helps.

Mark

 

[underwatergirl1979]

Thanks Mark,

I will check that stuff out. I live up in the Santa Clarita Valley, however I work on Los Angeles Aif Force Base. I work M-F day hours...so weekend and evening dives(till sports starts) are going to be my best options at this time.

I will definately check that info out. The other thing I am looking for, which I don't think can be mentioned in a thread...but a friend of mine wants to get certified and I need a good store/dive instructor to recommend to him...since I am new...ya can't do that much...but any ideas would be great.

Thanks
Annette

 

[MaxBottomtime]

There are groups who dive Redondo Canyon on Wednesday nights. It's not too far south of LLAFB.
http://www.divevets.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=44
You can also opt into the Sandeaters group here on Scubaboard. http://www.scubaboard.com/profile.php?do=editusergroups
They are an email list and schedule weekly beach dives.

 

[headhunter]

Hi Annette,

Welcome to SoCal and ScubaBoard! :happywave

I have a good friend who was stationed at Los Angeles Air Force Base for many years. He's now working in the private sector.

As Mark (scvdiver) mentioned, we get together regularly each month for one boat dive and one beach dive. We get together a lot more than that, but that's when we have our "big bashes" each month!

We love to have people new to the area or to diving join us, so feel free to come by. Tomorrow is our next boat dive and we've got a great deal for diving on Catalina Island coming up in two weeks.

Hope to see you at a dive soon!

Christian

 

[underwatergirl1979]

Thanks for the warm welcome Christian,

I am going to see what I can do about the Catalina...the boat dive for me is out...too soon, plus I really need to do a shore dive to adjust my weights and check my gear out before hand.

I got all those links saved, so hopefully once I get a little more settled I can join you guys/gals...

Blow Bubbles,
Cheers
Annette

 

[headhunter]

Thanks for the warm welcome Christian,

I am going to see what I can do about the Catalina...the boat dive for me is out...too soon, plus I really need to do a shore dive to adjust my weights and check my gear out before hand.

I got all those links saved, so hopefully once I get a little more settled I can join you guys/gals...

Blow Bubbles,
Cheers
Annette

Whether or not you make it out with us to Catalina, you should consider going to The Dive Park to sort out any equipment issues. I consider The Dive Park one step above diving in a swimming pool, so it's a great place to concentrate on whatever you need to concentrate on.

Christian

 

[underwatergirl1979]

The Dive Park??? It was recommended to get this Shore diving book for the area to me, by any chance is the location in there? I am still learning the area...just got here Feb 3rd...LOL

 

[headhunter]

The Dive Park??? It was recommended to get this Shore diving book for the area to me, by any chance is the location in there? I am still learning the area...just got here Feb 3rd...LOL

I'm guessing that the book that was recommended was Dale and Kim Sheckler's "A Diver's Guide to Southern California's Best Beach Dives". That is a great book!

However, the Casino Point Dive Park will not be in that book. You may want to look at The Great Catalina Island Info Sticky thread that was started by mccabejc here:

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=85342

This is on Catalina Island but is still a shore dive. That is if you call walking down a cement staircase with handrails into the ocean a "shore dive."

I've only dove there once when it looked like "Victory at Sea" with waves crashing up and over the breakwater due to a strong offshore wind on the mainland. Otherwise, everytime I've been there it's been like diving in a pool, but which much better sightseeing!

You take the Catalina Express to Avalon and then walk (or take a cab) to Casino Point. There are usually hundreds of divers hanging around and diving "The Park". There is an air fill "truck" there to fill your tank between dives. In fact, you can just leave your tank at home and rent one of theirs for the day to cut down on the weight you are hauling around. I just use a dolly to haul my stuff around, so I take my own tank.

Once you get the hang of doing this, it's actually pretty easy. The first time may take a bit of planning.

I hope this helps.

Christian

 

[JMdiver]

Hello Annette,
I live in the SCV also & go beach diving almost every weekend & you're welcome to join my dive buddy & I. He can't always make it so I'm always looking for another diver to go with. We are going to Laguna this Sun. & he's going to be dailing in some new equipment & practice some skills. Just PM me or post here if you would like to dive with us.

John