Dive Gear (Shallow water)

Looking into getting some dive/snorkling gear for GS5, just in case I decide to try it; but don't want to invest to heavily into a hobby that I may not stick with.

Want to know if a 3mil NRS F-John and a 3mil wetsuit jacket (plus a U-Armor underneath) will work for up there? Also have NRS boots, NRS socks and gloves.

Picked up a mask and snorkle already; and will look into getting fins and a hood this weekend.

What other equipment or apparel to I need for my first time "under" the surface?

Any help, advise or feedback would greatly be appreciated.

If you want to try it, just rent your outfit from a dive shop. If you do it with the wrong equipment (like your 3ml F-John and stuff), you're just gonna hate it. I'm a believer in open-cell suit. No water gets in thru the suit if you have the right fit. You're gonna enjoy your dive experience much more if you're warm. You need a minimum of 5mm in NorCal waters. Make sure your suit fits well or you can forget getting in the water. I'm a noob too, so take my advice with a grain of salt 

ernest

+1 on the wetsuit.  5mm may be the minimum, and I use 7mm open cell.  It keeps me warm for the whole dive, especially when I pee in my wetsuit.

renting I think is the best option if your first time.  If you're not going to rent, you'll need a weight belt and weights.  You can borrow mine, as I have an extra set, but I live in San Ramon.

Good luck and stay safe!  and warm!

+1 on the renting if you have not dove before and are not sure if you are gonna like it.

If you really want to have your own gear you can pick up a 7mm wetsuit package relatively cheap through leisurepro.com:

http://www.leisurepro.com/ProductList/Package/BLR7JM.html

I did this last year (it was like $40 cheaper this time last year though) and am still using the same suit, even though I have had some repairs done on the knees and butt area and have upgraded on the booties, gloves and hood.

I have an extra weight belt, mask/snorkel, gloves, booties, fins, ab gauge and iron that I will have up there with me so feel fry to stop by and borrow whatever you want!!

Plan ahead though on where you plan on renting from if you go that route....nowhere to rent in Shelter Cove as far as I know....

 

Sincerely,

Jim

whoa.... 5mil??? Do I really need that for "splashing" around in 8'-12' of water? and maybe some light diving in Monterey/Carmel (nothing to deep)?

I was never one to rent, I usually like having/using my own gear; and just picked up a hood, 3mil gloves and narrowed my selection down to 2 fins (one a $99 and the other at $169).

Now... as for weight belts, which is better: the beannie bag style or the weight you weave the belt through? I was more leaning towards the beanie bags because they seem easier to put on & take off the weights while in the kayak because you really don't need to remove the belt....

There's a world of difference between each level of wetsuit, thickness and  style G.  Your NRS paddling john isn't gonna be near as warm as a diving john because of that 3 foot zipper right down the front.  I will say though, with 6mm around your torso you might be alright on an exploratory snorkeling expedition but not for extended periods. 

I have a brand new 7mm farmer john bottom, sz Lrg floatin around my closet somewhere. Its yours if you want it.     

There's a world of difference between each level of wetsuit, thickness and  style G.  Your NRS paddling john isn't gonna be near as warm as a diving john because of that 3 foot zipper right down the front.  I will say though, with 6mm around your torso you might be alright on an exploratory snorkeling expedition but not for extended periods. 

I have a brand new 7mm farmer john bottom, sz Lrg floatin around my closet somewhere. Its yours if you want it.   

Thanks!     Can you bring it to GS5?? I could try it on there...

Damn I love this club.....

In the ocean water is water and cold is cold when it comes to freediving.
Splashing around in 8 FOW is going to be the same as splashing around in 40 FOW on the surface.
+1 on renting first
+1 on 5 mil or greater. As a newb you will be warmer in a 5 mil than an experienced diver because you will be exerting yourself to a much greater extent. I wear a 7mm FJ and am very comfy in the water and I've been around for a while.
Big Jim's advice on the suit you can take with a grain of salt. He is a madman on a wetsuit and most mere mortals won't put theirs through such abuse.

I hate being cold underwater. Last time in Hawaii I wore a thin 1 piece suit no mater how deep or shallow I was. Again, as said by others, you do not want to get cold. You will be miserable. Even warm water sucks the heat out of you. Just think what cold does. I would rent to see what you think you will need. I'm getting ready to pull out all my dive gear and start going through it. Not going to GS5, but getting ready to hit the salt somewhere in the near future. Been a long time.

go for the 7mm G! you wont even know its on once your wet. that water is bone chilling.

i get cold easy and the 7mm is nice and comfortable.

i rented for a long time and im glad I did, I also rented scuba fins with the strap forever which i hated cause they get snagged on everything, once I bought the full foot free diving type fins I was much more comfortable and mobile... Also rented a few different masks, which was also a huge help in finding a good fit. Also went with the 5mm gloves, and i dont notice there on once there wet...

Im still in my rookie year, just things i learned..

Soft weights I tried too, comfy in the yak, but thats about it, felt bulky... they stay wet forever too, which sucks if you forget them in the back of your car

I guess I was raised differently since I have been diving in a 3 mil all my life. Even before I acquired the extra mil around the belly  . I spend hours out there and never have been cold but then again if you grow up in Michigan you had better get used to swimming in cold water or you're not swimming at all. It does make it much easier to use a lot less weight but then again I am a little crazy just my 2 cents

G,  I will hook up with you at GS5 to get you on video... and maybe help with getting you comfortable in the water. 

Now I'M CURIOUS...hOw did it go G??? did you dive last yr??? did you throw down for a "7mm" only way to roll...Jimbo doesnt know what cold is...he's a mutant (BigJ) is a freak of nature like tote said... j/k instead of rent...and did you "Get Some" bro???

i dont know where your going but open cell suits are warmer than regular neoprene.i wear a seven mil 7mil glove and 5 mil booties.first thing to go cold is my feet.the soft weights are not hard and doesnt dig in to your body.i have regular block weights and after a little walking my hips start hurting.i dive in point arena first time i went i borrowed a friends3mil.when i got home i went to the dive shop and bought a 7 mil.it feels like the shower when your in the water