Scubaboard Westward Surge - Cool People, Cold Water, Warm Vibes

[cardzard]

Since my wife and I handle these events for ScubaBoard, I guess I should answer the original question.

Credit where credit is do. @diversteve hit the nail right on the head.

Name a dive resort with on-site dedicated dive boats in CA. One able to handle between 50/100 divers, spouses, children etc. Notice there's never been any surges to Hawaii either...we look for all-inclusive properties that package diving.
Except the original ITK's but those were held at Keys resorts based at marinas with several dive operations on-site.

Also the Keys became unmanageable which is how Roxanne and I started doing these events for ScubaBoard.

We do understand that there is great COLD WATER diving in California. There is also tons of SB members in California.
I suggest you try to get something like another SB event we do here in Florida. MEGADive, members from around the southeast head to Ginnie springs for a weekend of Diving/Camping/Partying. We host that event twice a year, it is a great regional event. We had well over 100 members attend the most recent event. This event also allows member that cannot attend the SB Invasion or SURGE to gather and socialize.

I CANNOT STRESS enough the social aspect of SB events after all you cannot be underwater 24/7.
We do love the SB members in the colder areas of the planet. It however is IMO impossible the convince large enough numbers to spend their vacation time and money to dive in cold water but a regional less time and money event may work well.

 

[Joneill]

It wouldn’t be for everyone since cold water diving is a specialty in a sense and generally for the hardier divers.

Hardier? Really? Yeah, that's it... lol. I'm plenty fit and "hardy" but you won't catch me intentionally submerging in cold water. I think it's more that a majority of recreational divers have little interest in diving in cold water, and dressing up like the Michelin man in a thick wet suits/dry suits. I did it once for a Peak Performance Buoyancy course - never again! But more power to you if you can find a location and drum up enough interest.

To be clear, no offense to those who like cold water diving, but I get no enjoyment from it.

 

[Marie13]

Sounds like a great idea. Could be the initial run of SB's new Cold: Surge... It would be an opportunity for the cold water segment of SB to breakout their dry suits for a get together. SB is a worldwide audience and there's probably a "cold water Card & Rox" that could drive the boat. Think of all the new locales & divers it would bring into the fold...not me of course, I'm a tidy bowl diver...brrr , but it might be a nice inclusive project. Might even get @Marie13 over her fear of sharks if she can bring her dry suit along. Hey Pete...

Forget about sharks...it would involve me getting on a plane, and to CA, no less... nope.

 

[AdivingBel]

Forget about sharks...it would involve me getting on a plane, and to CA, no less... nope.

I don't get the beef with CA. IMHO, It's an absolutely beautiful state and a wonderful place to visit. The getting on the plane part is a different "kettle of fish" and to each their own ...just thought it would be a nice way to include others that don't normally participate in the SB gatherings. I've enjoyed meeting folks and seeing them out from behind their keyboards. Again IMHO, it makes SB more "real" and human. @cardzard has a nice angle as a more local event with others (with a real interest) traveling in from more remote locales. I hope somebody grabs the reins from an "inclusivity" stand point. All IMHO, YMMV.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

There are still a lot of open weeks at God's Pocket Resort this year. The water is a degree or two colder than California but it holds a dozen divers, has its own boat, overfeeds you for a week and the diving is spectacular.

In SoCal, besides the boats on the mainland, divers could get together on a large hotel package at Catalina and dive from there. If diving from the mainland, non-divers could visit Disneyland, Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, beaches, museums, etc. There is a lot to do in SoCal.

There are small boats but lots of shore diving in Monterey. Non divers would enjoy the aquarium and Cannery Row.

Non divers in NorCal could visit wineries or drive down to San Francisco for the day.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Hardier? Really? Yeah, that's it... lol. I'm plenty fit and "hardy" but you won't catch me intentionally submerging in cold water. I think it's more that a majority of recreational divers have little interest in diving in cold water, and dressing up like the Michelin man in a thick wet suits/dry suits. I did it once for a Peak Performance Buoyancy course - never again! But more power to you if you can find a location and drum up enough interest.

To be clear, no offense to those who like cold water diving, but I get no enjoyment from it.

Well that’s a bummer.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Forget about sharks...it would involve me getting on a plane, and to CA, no less... nope.

Another bummer

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

OK.
So I guess that idea didn't go so well.
SB seems to be more about warm water diving and midwest / east coast participants.
California has always been a little different and independent, maybe this is a good example. It would be a bummer if somebody got shocked by cold water or got slimed by the political climate.
Well, I guess more diving for us then.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

 

[Joneill]

OK.
So I guess that idea didn't go so well.
SB seems to be more about warm water diving and midwest / east coast participants.
California has always been a little different and independent, maybe this is a good example. It would be a bummer if somebody got shocked by cold water or got slimed by the political climate.
Well, I guess more diving for us then.

Wow - you give up easily? You only got a handful of responses and I'd say you characterization of SB is off. There are many divers who enjoy cold water - if you are passionate about it, put some effort into it and organize something for diver who share your interests!