Northern CA Lakes

[AJS]

I'm looking for a lake or two on the western side of the Sierra's that would be OK for training OW students in the winter. Something that is below 2000 feet in elevation and fairly close to route 50 or 88 would be ideal. We use lake Tahoe in the summer but its a bit too cold to dive wet in the winter (39 deg F ). The OW students are not yet ready for dry suites. We have been driving to Monterey but the cost makes teaching or DM-ing an an even bigger act of charity. Just looking to save a few bucks for everyone during tough times. Any information would be appreciated.
AJS
PS. We are coming from Carson City NV

 

[JustinW]

You will probably only gain about 5 degrees coming even down into the Valley. Folsom Lake is on the 50 corridor but its usually about 44 in the winter on the surface. The rivers are about the same temperature (not that getting in a river in the winter is at all a good idea) You might reach out to see what instructor's in the Rockies do during winter. If you are an Instructor or DM you can post in the Instructor subforum.

 

[dannobee]

...The OW students are not yet ready for dry suits.

You do know that in European countries, OW training is done in drysuits, right?

.

 

[mikemill]

You do know that in European countries, OW training is done in drysuits, right?

.

Yeah but we are better than those silly Europeans.

 

[AJS]

Thanks Justin
44 degrees is not much of an improvement but its a little better. I can definitely feel the difference between 39 and 44, no ice cream headachesuppy:. We won't see 44 degrees here until May. Due to the depth of Tahoe it is very slow to warm. Which lakes would be the best to look at? Have you done any diving in New Hogan Res.?

They few divers I know in the Rockies (Montana) head the for the tropics during the winter:cool2:.
AJS

 

[AJS]

You do know that in European countries, OW training is done in drysuits, right?

.

Dry suites would be just the ticket. Now we just have to figure out how to talk OW students into buying not only mask, snorkel and fins but a 2 to 3 k drysuite with undergarments. This could definitely solve the problem of having to teach winter classes.
AJS

 

[masterof0]

Dry suites would be just the ticket. Now we just have to figure out how to talk OW students into buying not only mask, snorkel and fins but a 2 to 3 k drysuite with undergarments. This could definitely solve the problem of having to teach winter classes.
AJS

Dolphin Scuba in Sac rents them as well

 

[fdog]

Oddly, I just completed an OW class this last weekend at Lake Tahoe, with the students in dry suits.


All the best, James

 

[AJS]

Oddly, I just completed an OW class this last weekend at Lake Tahoe, with the students in dry suits.


All the best, James

Who with?
ajs

 

[fdog]

The shop is Adventure Scuba in Reno. Water at the Lake this last weekend was 39 degrees F at Sand Harbor, 42 degrees at Hurricane.

All the best, James