Regarding getting certified..
I'm afraid I cannot help you with any Long Beach shops as I am not familiar with the area. Should you decide to drive out a bit on the 405, I encourage you to go visit
Dive 'N Surf in Redondo Beach 310-372-8423. I am currently a PADI instructor and teach classes there. Please feel free to PM with questions if you don't find the answers you want on the website.
Be aware that different places will advertise pricing for classes differently. Some will break down the price into class, certification fees, books, etc. Some will give one all-inclusive price. Also, some classes might include a boat trip while others only have boat dives. Others will give you both or allow you to pick and choose between options. Just be sure to compare apples to apples and not just look at price tags. You may find boat diving a lot easier on the joints for example
I think everyone on SB just wants new divers to make an informed choice. If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to email me or call DNS (310-372-8423). No question is too small. We hear it all from new students all the time. Whoever you end up going with, be safe and have fun! Let me know once you're certified so that we can go diving together.
Regarding snorkeling gear..
Here in LA/OC, there aren't very many places that will rent out snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, gloves, boots).. as tourists that come here don't really tend to do that very much. Catalina Island and a couple places in SD do rent them... however it's not worth it for you. You will be renting this gear a minimum of 3 days. More than likely, 5-7 days depending on how your class is scheduled. By the time you pay for the rental, you've probably paid 80-150% what you would have paid to purchase the gear. Plus this way, she'd get her own personal stuff perfectly suited to her and the type of diving she will do.
Here are some guidelines you can use when choosing personal snorkeling gear:
Mask:
------
Fit is everything. A mask must fit you comfortably; you'll have it on your face for 1-2 hours at a time!
What to look for:
- Good fit. See below.
- Soft silicone skirt for comfort.
- Good field of view
How to fit a mask:
1) Tilt your face up and lay the mask on it without using the strap or trying to seal by suction. Feel the edge of the skirt all the way around. See how closely the skirt follows the natural curves of your face. The closer the better.
2) After finding 2-3 good fits, look forward and put each mask on (again, no strap) and breathe in through your nose and hold it. See which ones hold suction better.
3) Put the strap around your head and tighten it just enough for the mask to stay in place (slightly snug). DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. This is not comfy. if you need to over-tighten a mask to fit, then look for another one. Do the suction thing again.
4) With the mask on, determine the limits of your up/down/sideways peripheral vision.
5) Try to equalize your nose by pinching it with the mask on.
6) Choose favorite. If confused, go for most comfy one that has a good seal.
Special considerations:
1) Black vs. clear skirt. Personal choice. Go with clear if the black is too constricting for you.
2) Single vs double lens. Personal choice. If you wear glasses, a prescription is WAY cheaper to add to a double lens mask (~$40 each lens).
3) Narrow or girl faces - make sure the mask skirt isn't too wide for your face. Look for gaps on the temple area.
4) Eyebrow ridge. Try to choose one that doesn't bother you. Single lens masks will be better for this since they do not have a nose bridge.
5) Flat faces/flat upper jaw. Look for a mask that does not have such a pronouced curve in the bottom of the skirt. The closer it fits your face's natural lines, the better.
6. Maybe purchase a neoprene "slap trap" cover for the mask strap if you have long hair. The silicone may tug on your hair when taking the mask on/off if you aren't careful.
Snorkel:
--------
What to look for:
- Comfy silicone mouth piece
- For long hair: an attachment clip that won't snag your hair
- Color that matches your mask
I would recommend the cheapest snorkel with some kind of wave-valve on the end. It will help to prevent water from waves from getting in.
Boots:
------
What to look for:
- 5mm thickness minimum for CA. Keep those toes warm!
- High top booties.
- Should fit a bit snug to prevent water from flowing in/out too fast. Neoprene will expand a little when wet, so go a size smaller if you're between sizes.
- COMFORT!!!!
Gloves:
-------
What to look for:
- 3mm thickess
- Should fit a bit snug to prevent water from flowing in/out too fast. Neoprene will expand when wet, so go a size smaller if you're between sizes.
- COMFORT!!!!
- Decent dexterity
Fins:
-----
What to look for:
- Strap fin. Not a full foot one for CA.
- Comfortable fit. See below.
- Color that matches your mask and snorkel
How to fit fins:
- Fit them with the booties ON. Not with your bare foot or socks
- Comfortable fit WHILE EXTENDING YOUR FOOT in tippy toes. That's how you'll be swimming. Be sure you can stick a finger or two between your foot and the fin pocket. Otherwise it will rub you and make an ouchie.
Special considerations:
1) Full foot vs strap fin. Get strap. Full foot is for warm water where you don't use a boot. You'll need a boot to dive in CA.
2) Split fin vs blade fin. Personal choice. Splits are about $100 more expensive, but they give you the same propulsion with way less effort. Resulting in nicer-feeling ankles and hamstrings after a long dive. I prefer splits, but that is my personal choice. You can use whatever you want.
