anyone going to the Triton open in Monterey this Saturday?

I am a brand new member of the Monterey Bay Tritons
http://www.montereybaytritons.com/
 

I am planning on attending my first event,mostly just to watch and see how folks set up and launch ...pretty much my first time in any water with gear will be Friday ...ever .....so I may wait till next year to "participate" and just hang out and see what I can learn Saturday at the event.
Anyone here on NCKA a member over there and going to attend the Triton open this Saturday.
Craig

Bump...I'm taking all my new gear and wetsuits to San Carlos this morning(Friday the 11th) to learn how to put gear and suits on ..see if I need more weight etc etc...gonna anchor my kayaks out to the left of the scuba lessons beach and practice snorkeling and getting in and out of the yaks...gonna take my gal and all the gear I bought her and we are going to learn together and support each as we half drown....gonna leave the new speargun in the car until the end of day  ...then MAYBE    try and shoot a perch or rocky for dinner just to put a ribbon on my first attempt at getting wet ...any nor cal around the coast guard jetty today want a good laugh,stop by and see me trying to learn -flop around...look down san carlos to the west for a fish-n-dive -or two- anchored out 30 feet or so...my suit is gray wit part green legs and arms...If you see a big Rissos dolphin ,look closer it is probably me

Craig,

I think the Triton open folks check in at 7am and then all head out to their different dive spots...so not sure how that works with your plan to watch and learn?

Good call on practiving with your gear and diving around and jumping on and off yaks before busting out the gun...

Watch out for any pad eyes clips on your yak that can possibly catch or tear your suit when getting on/off yak.

Can you shoot fish at San Carlos? Thought it was a no spear zone over there....

Good luck out there dude!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I'll stand on the wall & toss sardines at you from above

NO SPEARING AT SAN CARLOS BEACH!

Thanks Jim
I talked to Bryan who is the contact and info person @ Tritons and he also said show up early and meet him and maybe just shadow around the sign in. I'm sure Like any event  not everyone is eager to share secrets or let someone watch their magic moves or hidden spots,I understand ,but I gotta start somewhere and going to the event and meeting folks and putting my name out there as a newb with questions may be a good way to jump in.
NO SPEARS AT San Carlos beach is 100% correct  and the gal at aquarius tipped me off as I rented weights for my gal...told me she would call DFG if I even tried...calm down honey...just asking 
 I will have to find another Kiddie pool to break out a rail gun or pole spear later(yes I bought a pole spear too today)
Things I learned on my/our first attempt to peak behind the blue curtain!!!
1.) I float in the otter bay suit and my gear like a piece of styro foam  36 lbs at one point and up to the surface I go,I had 20 lbs from neptonics and tried Amy's 16 lb rental at the same time and 36 and no sink or neutral zone, I think 40-42 lb's will work I am buying more  lead tomorrow in monterey WOW$$$$$
2.)Amy's real freedive fins from neptonics are too long for her to learn in with my shitty skill level of not much help yet to her.
3.) my aqualung fins float like balloons and I may look for tips or jb weld some weight to the heels etc...
4.) my otter bay suit will work for now but later paddling out in a one piece then pulling the top up may take some work-it is very warm and thick and not TOO hard to put on,for what it is-a scuba one piece 7mm
5.) I need to learn  to seal my/our masks or fit them better...it was the worst part of the day and had us taking our masks on and off and trying to either dump out water or flush them to clear fogging...we bought some liquid spit (orange cap little white bottle) and used it as directed...the water getting by my facial hair(petroleum jelly on my stash next time or shave) or around the mask was very hard to fix and made seeing where we wanted to swim out and try diving or our snorkeling almost impossible
6.) ocean water tastes funny when it has filled your snorkel and you breath in -- begin choking-- this one I almost have down now though,I learn quick when I think I am going to die
7.) bring fishing license even though I did not load fishing tackle,first time...
8.) I LOVE DIVING/SNORKEL/FAIL WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL WHAT i DID TODAY 100%...I could go tomorrow and do better I feel.
9.) I saw for the first time in my life-underwater(the one brief time my mask had not filled all the way up yet) a group of perch,nice size ones, as they exist, in their own setting and was able to follow them over a rock and through some kelp before I had to clear the mask again,I was not prepared for the profound effect seeing under water and starting this diving thing would have on me,seeing the school of 1 lb perch all around me was amzing   ....I'm sold and cant wait to get more weight and learn more...SO COOL
10.) I had so much fun and feel so good right now maybe next time I'll go all the way out past my shoulders 

FWIW The site for the Tritons goes into detail about helping and welcoming new diver,and has a strong focus in its homepage about welcoming new spearfishing folks,so this is what got me to join and try and show up to their event( I joined too late for the first club meeting in march)
BUTTTT
I hate showing up cold case and greeting folks from a newb standing etc...I am like the nerdy kid who just moved to town on the last week of junior high and has to go to the prom 

That's awesome you got out there!

Man...that's a lot of weight though?!!? Be careful...I have a hard enough time with 26-28 pounds...

Did you make it over to the Triton open??

I was out Saturday...it was beautiful! 

MBK is a calm shallow spot, and the northside of stillwater cove by the side beaches (the kiddy pool) is a well known spot for beginners to work on diving as well...

Keep getting out there and it will get easier and more comfy with each try!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Hey jim

I did not see your reply on this thread and had just sent you a p.m with some newb report

I will add pics and a triton BBQ and weigh in story later after work...lunch is over...they want me to work again 

Triton pics and story later....

I did find 35 lbs keeps my head able to breath still in a pinch