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Scuba TeensA place for parents and youth leaders to discuss certification, (family) travel and other issues involved in introducing youths to this wonderful sport.
Please note: The last reply in this thread was more than 3 month(s) ago.
My soon-to-be 12 year old wants to get involved in diving with me. I need advice on gearing him up. He's a small kid, about 90 lbs, 4'6".
Should I buy him a wet suit and modular BC, like the Seasoft Sealion, which can be adjusted as he grows? The large ones fit very large adults - 200lbs +. Or hold off until he's a lot closer to his adult size?
Thanks!
WingedWolf
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"Outside a dog, a book is man's best friend.
Inside a dog, it's too dark to read."
- Groucho Marx
Sounds like your son is still 35 pounds short of the low end range on the Sealion. You could look into the Dive Rite TransPac II LTD. It is more expensive than the Sealion, but Dive Rite claims they can fit anyone plus for youth they offer free size upgrades until age 16. This might be a better way to go in the long run, esp if you expect him to grow quite a bit in the next couple of years.
As for wet suits I just keep buying my son new Henderson's whenever he outgrows one. Used wet suits in good condition are pretty easy to unload for 1/2 price on Craigs List.
with almitychild we went thru 3 wetsuits in 3 season and that was a total pita. we got her a zeagle bcd as its something we can get a few seasons use out of and when we resell it it still has good retail value
my 2cents, buy a bcd so they own something that they can be excited about and look after but rent the wetsuit unless you can get one cheap
cheers and enjoy!
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checkout the FUNNIESTthread on SubaBoard! Join the SB Fitness Challenge! .. take Dr Bill home with you.... he'll be glad you did!
Mydaughters, the 8 years use Aqualung Wave jr. and her sister - 13 years with Aqualung Wave XXS. Low cost ($150 for Wave at Leisurepro), simple and reliable BC; I will not regret even if they only can use it for 1 - 2 years.
My son uses the DR transpac. He is now 15 and about 85 lbs. He has been using it for the last couple of years. It has a nice secure fit. He has about 80 dives on it.
The jacket BC we started him with seemed to shift on him too much for his small frame.
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"Dream as if you will live forever, live as if you will die today" - James Dean
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