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

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.

Holy Mackerel · 05-20-2010, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Machine

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.

Hold off on the weight belt, for your class, you will likely be renting a BC made in the 21st century

with integrated weight system, and they will provide weights as well.

Aaron · 05-20-2010, 10:09 AM

Hey Chris, are these the fins you are talking about?
http://www.leisurepro.com/prod/APLFB...sku=APLFBPYLLR

And does OEX stock these? If so, got a price? I'd rather buy from a shop than online for every obvious reason.

I live in Murrieta and thus am taking the classes local. I like to support the local shops as much as possible. But I consider OEX local and have had nothing but great experiences with them and would be more than happy to buy some gear from them!

I checked out the ocean enterprises store and that place looks insanely huge. Their class offerings are unreal. As stated previously, I'd like to buy from OEX and/or my local shop as much as possible. But if they don't have what I need, I know where to look!

I've read glass with silicon gaskets on the masks is the 2 biggies to look for and then it all comes down to fit and personal preference. I don't like the idea of a purge valve as it just seems like it would make equalizing a pain in the ass. It also seems like a great place for the mask to implode! The 2 areas I feel strongly about putting money into right now are my mask and fins. Does that seem about right? I'll get decent gloves and boots and may just bring a bendy straw from mc donalds for my snorkel (j/k), but I've snorkeled a bunch and having crap fins and goggles drove me nuts.

Thanks yet again, this info is great and its awesome to be able to come on here and get all kinds of help with somewhat random things!

05-20-2010, 08:34 AM	#1
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	#2
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!"

05-20-2010, 10:09 AM	#4
Aaron Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 175	Hey Chris, are these the fins you are talking about? http://www.leisurepro.com/prod/APLFB...sku=APLFBPYLLR And does OEX stock these? If so, got a price? I'd rather buy from a shop than online for every obvious reason. I live in Murrieta and thus am taking the classes local. I like to support the local shops as much as possible. But I consider OEX local and have had nothing but great experiences with them and would be more than happy to buy some gear from them! I checked out the ocean enterprises store and that place looks insanely huge. Their class offerings are unreal. As stated previously, I'd like to buy from OEX and/or my local shop as much as possible. But if they don't have what I need, I know where to look! I've read glass with silicon gaskets on the masks is the 2 biggies to look for and then it all comes down to fit and personal preference. I don't like the idea of a purge valve as it just seems like it would make equalizing a pain in the ass. It also seems like a great place for the mask to implode! The 2 areas I feel strongly about putting money into right now are my mask and fins. Does that seem about right? I'll get decent gloves and boots and may just bring a bendy straw from mc donalds for my snorkel (j/k), but I've snorkeled a bunch and having crap fins and goggles drove me nuts. Thanks yet again, this info is great and its awesome to be able to come on here and get all kinds of help with somewhat random things!