I'm in Oahu right now, typing into this infernal machine with the sound of the surf behind me. Not a bad place, mind you.
I've logged six dives here, so far, with at least four more before I go home. Every dive has been 77 degrees at depth. My deepest dives have been on the Mahi and the Corsair, both 77 degrees, at 94 feet and 108 feet respectively.
Chris Wade, of
www.pacificparadisedivers.com, has been terrific. They loaned me a new 3ml wetsuit for the duration of my trip (I chose to bring all my other gear).
Now, to put this in proper perspective, my last dive was in Washington's Puget Sound, just two weeks ago. Air temps were hovering around 33, I hit ice on the way to Mukilteo. Water temp at 80 feet was 49 degrees. Mighty chilly in a 7ml wetsuit, trembling under the watchful eyes of my two drysuit-clad buddies. I think I'm pretty tolerant to the cold.
That being said, I still think a 3ml is a bit light for multiple dives in these waters. I'm getting in a lot of bottom time, and I get a little chilled on my second dive. If I could pick and choose, I'd go with a 5ml.
I'm not telling Chris that, though.
Steve
