Newby in San Diego

[Bigbird]

Hello,

Just a quick check in and question. Just started and love it so far, I was wondering if anyone else has my problem.

I am 6'6'' tall and weigh 250. Gear is hard to come by and most rentals are uncomfortable. Am I gonna have to go to the big and tall dive shop and pay out the nose, or is there a brand that can handle big dudes like me?

P.S.

Whats the big deal with split fins? I like the full fins alot better, more control more power, I kept feeling off balance with the splits.

Later days and better waves....... or should that be visibility now.:mean:

 

[SCUBACrazy]

Hey fellow SD diver! Wazzup! =-)

I'm only 6'1" but I'm a chubby 260 and I have the same problem with wetsuits, especially when I add the hooded vest. If you've got the funds you might consider diving dry or search around online and you can get a custom suit made. Another option is to buy off the rack and then take your suit to Sea Me Repair here in San Diego for an alteration. The woman that runs the shop does great work. Ther are also lots of online places to shop for exposure gear that is a lot cheaper than the dive shops.

As for the split fins, I honestly feel that certain kinds of fins don't work for those of us that have more bulk to push through the water. I was using the Blades II and recently switched to the new Cressi-Sub Rondine. I love them! They kick much easier and are great in wrecks.

You also sound like you surf too. Am I correct? So do I. When the viz is bad I surf and when the waves are flat I dive. It's perfect!

Maybe I'll see you on/under the water. Welcome to the board.
Later!
:bang:

 

[Divecop]

Big and Tall Diveshop......There's an idea. I'm 6'6" and around 235. The only thing that I've had a hard time finding was dive boots. ScubaPro makes them up to a size 15 or 16 I think. I'm using an old Rip Curl that I bought in the Hobieshop in Oceanside about 10 years ago. It's thin but it's better than nothing at all. Everything else pretty much fit's off the shelf in Large or XLg. What exactly are you having a hard time trying to find?

 

[Bigbird]

To get into a wetsuit that doesn't end up around mid calf. The BC's are fine and I only wear a size 13 shoe so I don't have the bootie problem. I am all legs and arms so I hope to not have to go custom.

I will check on the shop in SD for alterations, hoepfully it doesn't void the warranty.

So do you get paid to enforce the laws underwater, or just a cop that dives?

As far as the surfing thing goes, it was a long time ago in a far away galazy. I stick to body surfing since I passed 30, and that was early in the last decade.

Later

 

[ScubaRon]

Almost all dive gear comes in XL sizes and sometimes even XXL. I am 6'6/200 lbs and have always found my gear. The issue is that most LDS only store one or 2 sizes of each item.

There are various ways to deal with this:
- visit lots of stores (call ahead to see what they have in your size)
- once you think you know what you want ask the LDS to order it in your size, so you can try it.
- go to Key Largo, FL. There are so many dive shops there that just about any piece of gear can be found on that island.
- order it online from a company that allows you to return it.
ScubaRon