SCUBA stuff - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

mo2vation · 05-19-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sapdawg711

Question #2 for the day...

I took a plunge today and signed up for my SCUBA open-water dive classes with some of the money I saved on my cancelled 2-day. I figured its a pretty good silver lining.

I know that there are probably better forums to ask this question but I like the crowd here and am certain someone will point me in the right directions. I need to buy the required setup (Snorkel, Fins, Mask, Boots, and Gloves) but don't want to buy crap that I will want to immediately upgrade after my first 2 dives. Do you guys have any suggestions on the brands/specific equipment that you would recommend? I know I can ask the dive shop, but like most places, I'm sure they will recommend whatever it is they carry. It seems to not be a bad idea to go in with a little bit of an unbiased background as to some of this gear prior to walking into a shop.

My plan is to dive casually, nothing to extreme. Maybe a few trips a year. It would be great to eventually get into some spearfishing, but who knows. Class first.

Forums: www.divematrix.com

We are to dive forums what BWE is to Kayak fishing forums. Flame free (a little snark, but no flames) SoCal based (the other large forums are all Florida all the time) and like me (250+ a year) our members actually dive and don't just sit around and talk about diving.

Where are you located? If you're in SD, you're in luck, as the dive community in SD is top notch. I know most of the shops, tons of divers and instructors and I can surely hook you up so you don't waste your time or your cash.

Send me an eMail anytime and we'll go through some stuff.

-Ken (mo2vation)

www.divematrix.com
ken@divematrix.com

PS: www.kennethkopp.com is my photo site if you want to see all of the local stuff that's down there. 99% of the shots are cold water and 95% of those are from Santa Barbara to San Diego.

-K

Aaron · 05-19-2010, 08:38 PM

This is awesome info guys. Exactly what I was looking for, thanks! Ken, I'm going to drop you an email after I do a little data mining on my own. Thanks again and keep it coming!

desert_s10 · 05-19-2010, 09:07 PM

I don't dive much at all but I prefer a mask with a black skirt (had a clear one and didn't like all the light it let it) and that has low volume so it can also double for free diving (don't do much of that either). As mentioned above, most important is fit, so make sure it will stick to your face with minimal effort. As for the rest of the gear, I can't be of much help but I can say that when I took my class at sport chalet a couple years ago, they offered up a decent discount for those enrolled in a class.... something to look into.

bluesquids · 05-19-2010, 09:11 PM

I wouldn't skimp on the gloves. It sucks when your fingers get numb. I'm very happy with my kevlar palmed ones, you'll want to grab some lobsters come October. I don't remember them costing all that much.

BTW..BWE has a sister dive site or at least it's a distant cousin...
http://www.divetrippers.com/index.php

Holy Mackerel · 05-20-2010, 06:34 AM

Apollo Bio Fins (for SCUBA only) love them! What was said about a mask, make sure if fits nicely to your face. I wouldn't scrimp on a mask, a leaky mask, will cause you to constantly be using your air to clear it. Any snorkel will do for the class.

Here is another local forum. http://www.scubapost.net/forums/

That said, I don't SCUBA unless it is Oct to March,

or if my wife drags me to some tropical place for photography.

steamroll · 05-20-2010, 08:34 AM

OEX Oceanside and OEX La Jolla are full Scuba Shops offering gear and certification

Dean Machine · 05-20-2010, 09:15 AM

If you can find comfy booties with FELT bottoms that's the way to go. Had felt bottoms for a long time then had to get new booties and got a pair I thought would have good grip but not felt and ended up regretting it. If you plan on walking anywhere there is rock and water, go with the felt bottoms.
Make sure your booties fit well also and try them with the fins you will be using. Sometimes they feel different with fins on. You want them all to fit well and not be tight on your toes, even a little discomfort is amplified by wet feet and hours in the water.

As for a mask, what others have already said. Kevlar gloves are good especially if you ever plan on lobster diving. Any old weight belt with weight will do as long as you can quickly release it. If you want to spend a little extra, they make rubber weight belts that will not slide around on you while you are diving. Worth it. I have been using a pair of Mares fins and can't complain. I don't dive deep, 20 feet at the most usually.

05-19-2010, 09:11 PM	#4
bluesquids Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jamul, CA Posts: 243	I wouldn't skimp on the gloves. It sucks when your fingers get numb. I'm very happy with my kevlar palmed ones, you'll want to grab some lobsters come October. I don't remember them costing all that much. BTW..BWE has a sister dive site or at least it's a distant cousin... http://www.divetrippers.com/index.php __________________ Thanks, bluesquids

05-20-2010, 08:34 AM	#6
steamroll Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 385	OEX Oceanside and OEX La Jolla are full Scuba Shops offering gear and certification __________________

05-20-2010, 09:15 AM	#7
Dean Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Clemente Posts: 162	If you can find comfy booties with FELT bottoms that's the way to go. Had felt bottoms for a long time then had to get new booties and got a pair I thought would have good grip but not felt and ended up regretting it. If you plan on walking anywhere there is rock and water, go with the felt bottoms. Make sure your booties fit well also and try them with the fins you will be using. Sometimes they feel different with fins on. You want them all to fit well and not be tight on your toes, even a little discomfort is amplified by wet feet and hours in the water. As for a mask, what others have already said. Kevlar gloves are good especially if you ever plan on lobster diving. Any old weight belt with weight will do as long as you can quickly release it. If you want to spend a little extra, they make rubber weight belts that will not slide around on you while you are diving. Worth it. I have been using a pair of Mares fins and can't complain. I don't dive deep, 20 feet at the most usually. __________________ "Good luck and tight lines!"

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05-19-2010, 08:38 PM	#2
Aaron Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 175	This is awesome info guys. Exactly what I was looking for, thanks! Ken, I'm going to drop you an email after I do a little data mining on my own. Thanks again and keep it coming!

05-19-2010, 09:07 PM	#3
desert_s10 Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 36	I don't dive much at all but I prefer a mask with a black skirt (had a clear one and didn't like all the light it let it) and that has low volume so it can also double for free diving (don't do much of that either). As mentioned above, most important is fit, so make sure it will stick to your face with minimal effort. As for the rest of the gear, I can't be of much help but I can say that when I took my class at sport chalet a couple years ago, they offered up a decent discount for those enrolled in a class.... something to look into.

05-20-2010, 06:34 AM	#5
Holy Mackerel Señor member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,627	Apollo Bio Fins (for SCUBA only) love them! What was said about a mask, make sure if fits nicely to your face. I wouldn't scrimp on a mask, a leaky mask, will cause you to constantly be using your air to clear it. Any snorkel will do for the class. Here is another local forum. http://www.scubapost.net/forums/ That said, I don't SCUBA unless it is Oct to March, or if my wife drags me to some tropical place for photography.