SoCal For a Few Days

[Richard_T]

I will be in SoCal - LA/Orange County area for a few days at the end of July-beginning of August. I did my open water classes in moderately cold water (5MM wetsuit, I think) in a lake in Colorado. All dives since were in warm locales with either a 3MM (Maui) or stingsuit (Cozumel). I plan to move to SoCal during the next year or so. I am, therefore, invested for the future and would like to make 1 or 2 two-tank (or three) boat dives under the best existing conditions. Despite the indications that visibility is poor lately in shore, what recommendations do you all have for boat diving/shore diving in the area, especially for someone with little cold water diving experience (I don't know how much that really matters - maybe thick kelp would just add an unnecessary difficulty level)? Also, on the exposure suit and related materials, I assume I would need a 7mm or a drysuit (which I would have to become certified in using at some other time), hood, booties and gloves. Can one get away with wearing thin (3 MM) booties, hood and gloves or should they all match as 5MM or 7MM thick?

Your guidance is really appreciated in these issues, since I haven't a clue about them.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

Hi Richard,

As far as shore diving goes check some of the back issues of "California Diving News" which are on line now. They review a dive site in each issues. Also the publisher Dale Sheckler has two books covering dive sites in Southern and Central California. CDN also lists the local dive boats of which there are many in LA and San Diego Counties. Personally I like the Sea Bass and Magician, but there are other good boats.

Really good places to get your toe in the water are Shaw's Cove in Laguna Beach, and the dive park in the City of Avalon on Catalina Island (a day trip by the Catalina Express with is the ferry between the mainland and Catalina).

Most people dive 7 mm suits in the summer and dry suits in the winter. Depending on your cold tolerance you may be able to get away with a 5 mm suit for the late summer when the water is warmest, but it is likely not ideal.

 

[TeqP]

Also, , on the exposure suit and related materials, I assume I would need a 7mm

If you plan to move to SoCal, a 7mm would be advised or invest in the drysuit.

Can one get away with wearing thin (3 MM) booties, hood and gloves or should they all match as 5MM or 7MM thick?

It depends on your tolerance to cold. I wear 2mm tropical gloves year round because it allows me to use the camera functions on my housing easier. If you are okay with 3mm booties when diving in high 40s or low 50s (during winter time) water then you should be fine.

Also recommend CDN for boat info.

Have fun in SoCal.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

C A T A L I N A / C H A N N E L I S L A N D S

Just so it is clear. World class diving, great vis even when the shore is lousy. Catalina is the most popular due to its sheltered location, the other islands are a bit farther and more diverse. There are many dive boats in Long Beach and San Pedro that are good. I like the Great Escape (3 dives on Saturdays generally) but have used Sun Diver and the Magician when their schedules better matched mine.

California diving will spoil you rotten. That 5 mil suit though is only going to cut it late summer and early fall though.

 

[Teamcasa]

7MM suit at a minimum. Most divers add a hooded vest as well for our waters.

Any of the boats will give you rides to great dive locations, conditions will dictate vis and currents.

Catalina is very consistent and accessible either by ferry or by dive boats, both from the island or mainland.

 

[Richard_T]

7MM suit at a minimum. Most divers add a hooded vest as well for our waters.

Any of the boats will give you rides to great dive locations, conditions will dictate vis and currents.

Catalina is very consistent and accessible either by ferry or by dive boats, both from the island or mainland.

I want to thank you all for your very helpful and useful responses. I just want to recap the exposure suits/gear issue. I think I have the picture: 7mm or drysuit in the winter; 7mm/5mm hooded vest; 3mm booties and 2mm gloves, if I can handle the cold water in the extremities. My former instructor stated that he dives with a 3-5mm hood because anything more feels too restrictive. Any thoughts? I imagine that for my first real cold water dive, I should go with heavier boots. Do you wear anything on the feet under the heavier boots or do you treat them similar to 3mm boots, i.e. you just step into them? Is it typical for these to be rented or should I just invest in a pair? Through ecodive center? I agree that I will have to use 2mm gloves to be thin enough to work with lanyards, clips, lights, camera and other gear. Any further thoughts on these issues are appreciated.

Richard

 

[Rainer]

I don't notice my hood at all. I have a 7mm one. My wife (and most of her diving friends) use a 12mm hood.

I hate being cold. I dive dry year round. For a wetsuit, I'd consider 7mm+hooded vest as minimum.

I don't typically dive wet gloves, but I have pairs of 4mm and 5mm ones. I can operate any/all clips, though it's certainly easier in the dry gloves.

Should be a great trip!

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I want to thank you all for your very helpful and useful responses. I just want to recap the exposure suits/gear issue. I think I have the picture: 7mm or drysuit in the winter; 7mm/5mm hooded vest; 3mm booties and 2mm gloves, if I can handle the cold water in the extremities. My former instructor stated that he dives with a 3-5mm hood because anything more feels too restrictive. Any thoughts?

Northern California and PNW divers swear by the 12mm custom hoods made by Otter Bay (Monterey, CA). I've always used a 7mm hood and have found that thickness to be comfortable. Then again, the hoods I've used have actually fit my noggin. You should also know that the face opening in most hoods can be trimmed for best fit.
+1 on pretty much everything that Rainer said above.

I imagine that for my first real cold water dive, I should go with heavier boots. Do you wear anything on the feet under the heavier boots or do you treat them similar to 3mm boots, i.e. you just step into them? Is it typical for these to be rented or should I just invest in a pair? Through ecodive center? I agree that I will have to use 2mm gloves to be thin enough to work with lanyards, clips, lights, camera and other gear. Any further thoughts on these issues are appreciated.

On Catalina, thick wetsuit booties can be rented. Eventually, you'll probably want to buy some of your own. 7mm boots are what I'd recommend. It's difficult to keep your feet too warm during a dive. You can wear 7mm boots by just stepping into them. For some protection against friction, you can also wear some thin neoprene socks underneath. Your choice.

I've used 3mm and 5mm gloves. I prefer the warmth of the 5mm ones, and I didn't notice a drop in dexterity either. YMMV. FWIW, I play around with camera buttons all the time underwater. Nowadays I enjoy excellent dexterity with my drygloves. Start saving up for a drysuit now. You'll find yourself diving more often.

 

[dwaters]

Almost all my dives have been in SoCal and I dive wet year round. Summer is 7mm full suit and a 5mm hood & boots, and 3mm gloves. Winter I add a 1mm long sleave rash guard under the suit.
By the third dive of the day of low to mid 50* water and winter top side, I start asking if I should invest in a dry suit....but I get over it fast. LOL Of course every body is differant.
There are great shore dives here but on your first So.Cal. experiences try Catalina via charter or to the dive park in Avalon. Let us know of your plans, and I'm sure one or more will be around to get wet with you.

 

[Richard_T]

I want to thank you all for the great advice. I feel I now have a good idea of what needs to be done for my first true cold water dive. I will mention my plans when I firm them up in case I can buddy up with one of you veterans. I've looked at the August 1 Sand Dollar to Catalina. It may be my only opportunity for a substantial boat dive in SoCal for a while.

Richard