What region produces the most skilled divers?

[jbisjim]

I would say regions with:
Low Vis
Varrying water temps, especially cold.

I have seen very good skills from people with that type of training. Although I am sure we all know divers who do NOT show good skills in our home region. But in General I would say low vis, and cold water.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

If 40 degree water and 5 foot vis was the norm, I think I would quit diving.

In January/February the water temp will be below 40 degrees.
Of course the vis tends to be better that time of year; perhaps as much as 20 feet. You know it's cold when there is ice in your mask between dives or you need to pour water on the zipper of your drysuit so you can take it off.

 

[Walter]

in General I would say low vis, and cold water.

What about rough seas and current? Lots of low viz, cold water divers run into trouble when they first experience great viz, warm water with rough seas and strong currents.

 

[Poogweese]

I have been lucky enough to dive East/West coast, Great Lakes (Superior,Mich,Erie) and have met many divers. The divers who dive 10+ times per/month and think of diving not as a hobby, but a mental illness are the ones I enjoy diving with the most-regardless of region or location. (Yes, I am sick...very,very sick...

 

[Mako Mark]

Oh, and here in New Zealand 99.99% of divers (including me)dive wet rather than dry, even in winter.

Well I guess that puts me in the 0.01% then, I am a Kiwi and I dive dry when the water drops below 27°c, OTOH, I do looooooonnnng cave dives and got a great deal on my suit.

I think the only reason anyone would dive wet is because they havent got a drysuit.

Get a drysuit xman, you'll LOVE it.

 

[texdiveguy]

TEXAS of course.....that is easy!!!!

 

[Kennedydive]

You can't dismiss what some people have said on here. I may be use to the cold water and sometimes ****ty vis. I may be able to maintain neutral buoyancy through out the water column and practice skills. I'd love to go down to warm water and shed 100lb of gear. I'd make the worst cave diver around. :yippie17: I'm no longer a great diver. Each place is different and produces good divers. How they can adapt to different conditions safely makes them great divers, and that comes from within not necessarily someone’s geography.
Jason

 

[jbisjim]

What about rough seas and current?

Yup I'd add that too. Good point.

 

[kalvyn]

I would say regions with:
Low Vis
Varrying water temps, especially cold.

I have seen very good skills from people with that type of training. Although I am sure we all know divers who do NOT show good skills in our home region. But in General I would say low vis, and cold water.

I agree with this assesment, which is why I would say the Pacific Northwest produces some pretty darned good divers.

If you dive around here with any regularity, you get very proficient diving with a lot of gear on, in challenging conditions. I know that when I go to a warm water destination and dive, it just seems too darned easy.

Jimmie

 

[Hank49]

I know that when I go to a warm water destination and dive, it just seems too darned easy.

Jimmie

And more fun. I mean, come on, let's see, cold water, bad vis, cold when you get out of the water...vs....great vis, 80 degree water, lots of fish, coral, current in some parts of the world, a speedo will keep you warm topside.....duhhhh. I would venture to say that tropical areas develop more better divers per thousand if for no other reason than the average tropical diver dives more just due to better conditions.