Hello from Sunnyvale/Monterey, California

[jannbam]

New to the board. Wouldn't normally start a thread for something like this, but,
that seems to be the norm in the intro/greet forum here, so, that's what I did.
My fire ext. is ready, so, flame away if I shouldn't have...

Anyway, I'm a DM currently in the AI program and work with Blue Water Aquatics
in Sunnyvale. I'm also an EFR Instructor.
I've got somewhere around 100 dives and am very active diving locally sometimes
every weekend in a month. I love diving Monterey, and, love sharing that
experience with others.

If you think Cold water is not worth the hassel, then, you haven't been on the right
cold water dive. Monterey is some of the best diving in the world. Warm water is
nice and the tropics have pretty colors, but, you just can't beat a cold water kelp
forest.

I look forward to getting to know more of the community over the comming months
and years.

Owen

Hey Owen, I also live in Sunnyvale. I'm going to do my first cold water dive tomorrow in Monterey. I hope the weathers nice and the water warm.... wish me luck... JP

 

[mossym]

I hope the weathers nice and the water warm.... wish me luck... JP

i can guarantee the water won't be warm...you might not be cold, but it definitely won't be warm

 

[Tod]

Welcome to the board!

I'll be in Monterey the following weekend (trying out the new dry suit off the Monterey Express). I wish the Monterey waters was in the 70s, that'd make Fort Bragg that much nicer!

 

[owen]

Hi owen,
Haven't been in cold water yet. I sometimes travel to Sunnyvale on business and would like to dive Point Lobos. Maybe next time I'm out there we can hook up for dive.

I'm available during the day most days. If you want to go on a weekend, we'll
need to plan substantially ahead for Pt. Lobos.

Send me an email when you have some idea of a date and we'll set something
up and talk details.

Owen
owen@bluewater-aquatics.com

 

[owen]

Well... Most of my diving is local, so, water temp tends to be 55+/-5 degrees F
(Around 12+/-2 C if memory serves) at the surface and it is not rare for it to
get down to 45 at depth (and sometimes even colder). Yeah, I'm fine in a 7mm,
but, dry is better still. I just got my Signature Series CF200 from DUI and I
can't wait to get it wet.

I figured no matter where I set the bar on "cold" water, someone would say
"That's not cold", but, I've noticed that for the most part, I encounter two
kinds of divers. The true WWW who refuse to dive in anything below 70
degrees, and, those who will dive in any water they find interesting and
don't mind having to wear proper exposure gear to do it. Admittedly, my
experience is limited (been a DM less than a year so far), but, 70F seems
to be the magic line in my observations so far.

Unfortunately, I truly believe that the WWW crowd really does NOT know what
they are missing.

Thanks for all the great replies so far.

Owen

 

[Ca_Ghost]

Welcome to the board Owen!

I'm new to the board too but have quite a bit less experience than you!

Going out to Breakwater next weekend! I can't wait!!!!!

I'd love to try a dry suit but I need to start getting other items (ie BCDs, regs etc etc)

Welcome to the board!

 

[ccohn2000]

Hi Owen,
I dive Monterey too. My husband and I just got certified last January. I have only 9 warm water dives and 61 cold. They're totally different. TOTALLY. I was actually a little freaked out when I went to Cozumel this summer. Never dove without my wetsuit and was worried about weighting and everything. I loved the warm water, but you can't beat a nice CA kelp forrest. That said, I was always cold until someone here suggested putting one of those instant heat packs in my wetsuit and breaking it when I get chilled. That has worked wonders for my diving comfort. I buy those suckers by the case now. Diving Pt. Lobos tomorrow - YAY!

 

[ChillyWaters]

92% of divers here (so far) dive cold... I think that's probably because 69degrees isn't very cold.

- ChillyWaters

 

[Paco]

Around here almost any dive below 30 ffw gets you in the the the 40sF or 50sF.