New member in Santa Cruz

Hi there my name is Rich and I just got into kayak fishing and freediving last year. I grew up in Santa Cruz and enjoy all types of ocean sports – surfing, bodysurfing, and SUP paddling (even completed the Jay Race a few years ago, would be stoked to find someone interested in training to do it again). I also used to do a lot of sailing in my youth.

Now I’m a dad, I got into kayak fishing because it seemed like a fun/challenging activity to do with my son (currently 8 years old, we also have two daughters, ages 4 & 2). We do lots of hikes and camping with our local Cub Scouts group, but it would be great to meet similarly-minded families to share some ocean adventures.

I joined NCKA because I am hoping to find some community members to dive with, primarily in Monterey / Carmel / Big Sur areas. While I am quite comfortable in the ocean, I am still a fairly novice diver - I got in about a 10 days diving last year, mostly in Ft Bragg. My deepest dives are about 30’, I’m still working on equalizing smoothly and keeping calm. I got most of my gear issues worked out last year, and I just picked up a Banks Board for shore dives.

I am planning to take a FII class from Aloha Kris sometime this year, it would be great to get a group together for this.

Looking forward to meeting some of you guys this summer and hopefully shooting some fish!

Best,
Rich

Welcome, Rich. 

Welcome!!

Quite a few divers on here!

Hope to meet you out on the water!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

ps...the class with Kris is awesome!!

Hey There Rich!

I live in Pacific Grove and dive PG/Carmel/Big Sur quite often. When are you taking the class with Kris?

30' is plenty to get down to the big guys!

Let me know what your schedule looks like. We have some entry level divers diving still water cove on Sunday at 8a. PM me for details if you can make it.

 - Eric

Hi Rich 
Welcome to the group

Welcome, SC from SC.

Welcome, hope to see you on the water.

Welcome aboard Rich 

Thanks Guys for the warm welcome!

Eric- re: diving SWC tomorrow - heck yeah I'm in! I will send you a PM

I haven't signed up for Kris's class yet, I am planning to take it this summer though. I have done a lot of reading on this topic but  I feel like I need a few more days on the water (working through my already-known issues, feeling more comfortable getting down to 10M) before I'm ready for a formal class and to push to 20M

Welcome Rich!!!  Hope to see you on the water!!!

Thanks Guys for the warm welcome!

Eric- re: diving SWC tomorrow - heck yeah I'm in! I will send you a PM

I haven't signed up for Kris's class yet, I am planning to take it this summer though. I have done a lot of reading on this topic but  I feel like I need a few more days on the water (working through my already-known issues, feeling more comfortable getting down to 10M) before I'm ready for a formal class and to push to 20M

I hear ya! 10M is easy if you have enough days in the water. 20M def takes a bit of training. Great to fish with you and thanks for letting Matt use your banks board. I can't believe how buoyant it is! We are likely diving a gnarly spot on Saturday but we will be in the 40-60fow range. I can pass you the info once we confirm the swell is dying down (as it appears to be).

Welcome to NCKA, Rich!

Hey! Welcome to the group!