Catalina Trip Question

Hello,

I have been reading posts on scubaboard.com over the last few weeks and I find the forum to be very informative and a good resource to a new member in the dive community such as myself. My background is I recently completed OW and AOW here in San Diego. I'm a rookie with only 9 dives (all cold water and within the last two months) under my belt but I've enjoyed diving so far and I feel extremely comfortable in the water (I have surfed for years).

So, to the point right? Catalina. I have read the Catalina sticky post and a few other Catalina related posts and I feel I have a decent idea of the logistics, accommodations, and dive shops on the island. My question is, "since I am really new to diving and I don't really have a dive buddy to make a trip to Catalina Island with me should I still go?"

I really want to head up there Presidents weekend (Feb 18-20) to do some diving. The buddy system is drilled into us during OW and AOW and I understand it's importance. Still another part of me that likes to pursue adventure and not wait for others says, "just go, you will be fine or meet people to dive with up there". I truly don't know if that will be the case because I have never been to Catalina Island it is February which I think is the off season.

Anyway, I appreciate any feedback you can give and I look forward to reading and posting more on scubaboard.com.

Thanks!

I would call Scuba Luv and ask them...I'm sure they know plenty of people at all times of the year that love to dive and would love the chance to get out with new divers! I am positive that they can hook you up with buddies!


JohnnyO
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"What if the Hokey Pokey IS what it's all about?"

Casino point is unreal & without a doubt you will find multiple options as a dive buddy / group to dive with...
Hundreds of divers every weekend throughout the day on the weekends, even in the off season.
I just did my entire AOW there a month ago & never want to dive lj shores again...

I've had good luck with two methods for finding dive buddies for Casino Point.

One method is to show up, preferably early, set up your gear and ask folks if you could join them when they arrive and set up their gear.

The other is to figure a date/time to go and then post a thread on the SoCal subforum asking for buddies.

I've had great dives and have met great people with these.

DON'T STAY HOME just because you don't have someone to go with you.

fisheater:

DON'T STAY HOME just because you don't have someone to go with you.

Click to expand...

WELL SAID!!


JohnnyO
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"What if the Hokey Pokey IS what it's all about?"

this should be moved to the California Forum.

You should read the sticky on Catalina, it has a lot of information there.
Once you are at the casino point park there should be no problem finding people to dive with. The weekends generally have quite a few divers at the park, plus this would be a holiday weekend for many.
There is an underwater dive park map that can be downloaded from the pacific wilderness website. It will give you a good layout of the dive area.
Are you staying in Avalon the weekend or just day tripping via the express?

You might find the crowds a bit heavier because of the holiday weekend, and hopefully you already have reservations for lodging. Also, this is the weekend before the Avalon Harbor clean up, so there may be several classes there that weekend since the following Saturday is tough for regular diving, at least in the morning.

If you are interested in taking a dive boat out to Catalina instead of going to Casino Point, then I'd be your buddy. I like Casino Point, but I don't like the hassle of parking and lugging gears to the Catalina Express and then from the dock to Casino, and vice versa.