Place to test the gear in San Francisco Bay Area?

[Noemi]

Finally got my own gear. Everything is new, ordered mostly over internet.
I have a dive scheduled in Monterey for the weekend, and want to test the set-up preferably in the calm water of the pool before heading down there.

Any places you could recommend?

 

[Dizzi Lizzi]

Hello Noemi,
Contact a LDS see if they can give you advice. Here in So Cal I've not found a place to do this, local/public pools don't want the liability. People with nice pools dont want you scratching them up, or dropping weights on the tile. When I got my gear I asked the shop that sold me it about a test out dive, and for like 50 bucks they set us up in a like refresher course at the local pool. But now I use a family members pool when I can't get into the water monthly. I purchased a tank guard so just in case I hit the walls/floor no mark is made, and use soft weights. It's only 6 feet deep but it does the trick to see how new equip works/fits. Also good for skills. the biggest problem we have is convincing the family dog that I am not drowning and do not need to be rescued. Labs, gotta love them.

 

[3D diver]

Call around. I arranged two pool sessions through different dive shops when I got back into diving. Both have changed hands since then, though, so I can't really make a recommendation.

You might want to cross post this in the NorCal section.

 

[Wookie]

I'm not trying to be a complete dick, but it comes naturally. One reason to buy from your local LDS is because buying from them gives you the opportunity to try the equipment in the pool. Ask your online store if you can use their pool. I'd be embarrassed to show up at my LDS with my internet gear and ask them to put it together or use their pool. That's just over the top.

 

[Marie13]

A LDS that has its own pool? Not all do. At the least, maybe they might let you in on a OW pool session at a public pool if the class is small, since you're already certified, and just need to test gear.

 

[mdb]

Bamboo Reef San Francisco onsite pool, also a store in Monterey.

 

[Noemi]

I'm not trying to be a complete dick, but it comes naturally. One reason to buy from your local LDS is because buying from them gives you the opportunity to try the equipment in the pool. Ask your online store if you can use their pool. I'd be embarrassed to show up at my LDS with my internet gear and ask them to put it together or use their pool. That's just over the top.

Don't really see what I would be embarrassed about. I have my gear assembled and the reason I bought it over internet was that my LDS didn't carry the gear I wanted. I did buy a wetsuit from them though, and plan to rent the air from them as well. I will be happy to pay for the pool time, just having trouble finding a pool.

 

[Noemi]

Bamboo Reef San Francisco onsite pool, also a store in Monterey.

Thank you. They are a bit far from me, but I will check them out.

 

[Doby45]

They will not let you rent air. Cause when you are done with it they don't want it back. Rented air is really only good in a rebreather and if that is the case, they don't have to rent you a whole lot of air, so they don't make much money off of it.

 

[NorCalDM]

You could also try Marin Diving Center they have a pool but you may have to pay for the time since you did not buy from them. They can get most any get you want they don't carry the reg and back plate I wanted but they ordered it for me and I got a great deal.