Most of my youth was spent in San Bernadino, but we used to go to Malibu, Doheny, Santa Monica, etc. and do all the things teenagers did in the 50's. The water seemed warm in those days. Then I went back after an 8 year absence and discovered that the climatic changes had made the So. Cal beachs frigid places...as I got older the climatic changes kept making the water colder and colder...
So, now I am a candy a-- diver and only go to places where a dive skin, a 2.5mm fleece suit, or a 3.0mm Henderson will do. But, all my braver friends who tangle with kelp, cold and murky water here in Nor. Cal use 7mm suits or, that amazing invention, the dry suit.
By the way, they also use hoods, thick boots, gloves that look like gauntlets, etc. They tell me they are having fun---sure looks like it!
Last Fall, though we met a guy who is a dive master on Catalina--Catalina Divers Supply (800)353-0330--and he claimed they dove in 74 degree water--so next Summer I am going to give it a try, but I think a 5 or 6 mm suit is still in order.
Mario, what do you think? Ever dived off Catalina? Is it true that the temp is around the mid 70's in the Summer? That sounds almost "civilized"!