Question re: day California SCUBA diving laws

[drbill]

PM me if you want and let me know which shop said this. It doesn't sound like any of the shops here that I'm aware of. Non-resident fishing license is a possibility.

 

[fisheater]

Here's a tip. If you get Dr. Bill a date with an attractive woman, he'll make SURE that whichever shop you're going through will wave the Non-California Diver fee. He's just that kind of guy. ;-)

 

[Decompressionable]

I love this board. Thanks for all the help, guys. Dr. Bill, I'll send you along the details of DS. I really do appreciate the insight. TMG

 

[fnfalman]

I'd suggest 7mm wetsuit at Catalina too, unless the diver is very sensitive toward cool temperature.

 

[HBDiveGirl]

btw: are all Catalina Island dives drysuit?

If you have a drysuit that you can travel with, you may have more fun diving dry in SoCal in November.

There are divers who dive wet all year here, but water temperature can be a factor which limits your fun.

A few things about one-day dive boats at the Channel Islands:

• Most have "wet" galleys that will allow you to get out of the wind and warm up on the surface intervals. A few do not. Ask.
• Dives are usually about an hour, max, and the surface interval is about an hour. Dry suit divers find it easier to rewarm, and can be more comfortable on the 2nd and 3rd dives of the day. Your cold tolerance may vary.
• Some boats have weights available, some do not. If you dive dry, know your weighting in salt water before you arrive.

Depending on where in L.A. you will be, you might consider the dive boats leaving from Ventura harbor and diving Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands. These two Channel Islands also offer excellent diving and a shorter boat ride. Check the websites for The Spectre and The Peace dive boats.

If you'll be boat diving wet, bring a heavy dive parka in case of wind or cloudy weather. In November it could be sunny and gorgeous, or cold and windy.

Post questions here if you would like suggestions for dive boats or opinions about boats you are considering... they are each different.


Have a GREAT time!!!

~~~~
Claudette

 

[NudeDiver]

I don't understand all the secrecy. If a dive shop told you about a fee, why not post their info on here? I don't get it.

 

[HBDiveGirl]

I don't understand all the secrecy. If a dive shop told you about a fee, why not post their info on here? I don't get it.

I believe it's a matter of hearsay, respect, and giving a business the benefit of the doubt.

I believe warmvise's wife is a non-diver, who may have misunderstood the pricing structure discussed by telephone.
Or... the person answering the phone at a small dive shop may not always know the correct details of dive service pricing or may get it wrong in a misdirected effort to be helpful.

It's responsible and professional to not throw a business under the bus based on a second-hand description of a phone call.

Now... if anyone can confirm that a shop actually charges out-of-state divers more for services than they would charge a local diver... I'll be the first person to ensure the shop gets double GoodYear treadmarks all over them. *thump-thump*

For now, I'll continue to hope it was a misstatement or a misunderstanding.

~~~~
Claudette