ewaiea
Contributor
I'm new to diving in California - I've dove the Puget Sound for a drysuit course 5 years ago and loved it. I have a very unique opportunity to head out with Truth Aquatics and dive the backside of Catalina Island the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. I've dove PNG, Palau, Cocos Island, Hawaii, Florida, Washington State, the Bahamas and Cozumel. I'm very excited to get a few dives in the Channel Islands under my belt.
I'm bringing my new 8/7mm semi-dry wetsuit, a dive knife (for a tool in case of kelp entanglement), and all the rest of my usual diving stuff. I like to shoot photos so that will be what I'll be excited to do. I am aware that common California dive operator practice has the divemaster on the boat so I'll pair up with another diver or group of divers on the boat with Truth Aquatics. I'm also aware of early boat departures and the need to bring your own tanks and weights.
Are there any other helpful hints that a rookie like me can arm myself with? I am fairly experienced and have a few hundred dives but never in California.
I'm bringing my new 8/7mm semi-dry wetsuit, a dive knife (for a tool in case of kelp entanglement), and all the rest of my usual diving stuff. I like to shoot photos so that will be what I'll be excited to do. I am aware that common California dive operator practice has the divemaster on the boat so I'll pair up with another diver or group of divers on the boat with Truth Aquatics. I'm also aware of early boat departures and the need to bring your own tanks and weights.
Are there any other helpful hints that a rookie like me can arm myself with? I am fairly experienced and have a few hundred dives but never in California.