Look for how-to abalone diving

I know many of you are experienced kayakers and expert abalone divers. I am interested in diving for abs from kayak. Do you have how-to articles for this topic? I like reading them first.

Things in my mind are
- what necessary gears and setup for Ab diving
- which Abalone locations such as Ocean Cove
- Safety tips regarding this sport

Thanks.

Eric

The best how-to is watch the movie blue.  It is a reasonably accurate depiction of the experience, other than the fact that they dive way deeper than you will.

Ab diving is, however, not something where reading/watching a "how-to" is going to make you ready to go.  Consider it a good intro, and then talk with ab divers, try your gear in a safe environ, and then go with an experienced buddy.   

The conditions are particularly important for newbs.  If the water is iffy, don't get in...the snails aren't going anywhere and the season is long.  Be patient, becareful, and know your limits and it can be a safe and very pleasant experience...or you can join one of the 5-7 people that die each and every year.

Eric - I have the DVD of "Blue"....you can borrow it - let me know.

I found a how-to arcticle on the web. The content is very decent. Any additional comments?
http://www.noyopacific.com/Abalone.html

I wrote one for this site.  It's not really all that hard, jump in around some kelp in abalone country and you'll find abs. 

There's going to be a beginners dive at fort ross on april 22nd (weather permitting), which would be a good opportunity to find a knowledgeable dive partner to show you the ropes.  That event focuses more on spearfishing, but most everyone will get some abs too.

You are a LOT better off going with someone who knows what they are doing your first time out. Sean was right when he said test your gear in a safe enviro. I would recommend a lake shore no more than 3 or 4 feet deep. Anchor and then put your weight belt on and off while you are in the kayak. That way when it goes overboard you can easily retreive it and work out the bugs so it doesn't go overboard. Then go out to about 6 or 7 feet of water and practice gettong in and out of the yak with the belt on. Do it with and without your fins too. You wil definitely notice a difference. It sounds kind of lame to be doing this, but you will learn so much and be so better prepared when you are actually out on the ocean. It is worth it big time.

Appreciate great advice from your guys. I am going to slow down myself rather rush. I need to get diving gears together (I still miss a few items). Then spend some time to practice as suggested.

How often are you going out for AB diving? When I am ready, I would like to join you.

Gas keeps going up maybe never. Will cost me $130 just in gas to get to Ft Bragg. A little less if I go to Ocean Cove. It is getting so a drive and dive is out of the question anymore. I am getting the itch to get wet. We wil see what fares for this weekend.

Tote, 

This weekend is not good for me. But we can carpool and share the gas cost.
Lets do an ab run soon.

I go a lot, just depends on the weather.

I go up about once a month in-season.  I think the beginner dive is getting canceled to try again next weekend.

High gas prices just make me happier to carpool.  Once my Zodiac registration comes in I'll be able to carry 4 divers up north in my van and have boats for them all.  At some point I'll get a trailer which should enable 6 or 7 guys to go for only $5-$10 each for gas.  Carpooling is fun because you get to chat, once on the water we're mostly out of BSing range of eachother.

You can rent abalone diving gear, I did my first two times.  Full set is about $50 for a weekend.  I'd reccomend that so you can give up on it without being stuck with alot of gear in case you have problems or don't enjoy it.  I've brought 4 newbs up the coast for abalone and they all had bouyancy, equalization, paranoia or some other issue that kept them from getting abs.  Mosts folks have spare/surplus equipment, so borrowing shouldn't be hard either if you just need a weightbelt, fins, iron or something like that.

Try these links:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=42
http://www.sonic.net/~rocky/abalone.htm
The second one is all I needed to get my first abalone.

Hey, guys. I follow your advice and am preparing myself for the 1st abalone trip. Appreciate the tips and info provided. I have most of basic stuff ready such as hood, weight belt/weight, fins, iron, gauge and license etc.
But, I still need to get gloves, and knife.

I have a few questions so far.
1) What is snorkel used for? when you are underway, how snorkel is going to help you?
2) I am a good swimmer - comfortable and confident in the water. However, I have not done diving in the past. How many times of practices are needed to be comfortable with diving?

I live in south bay and am interested in carpooling & share the gas cost. The most important is I get to go out with you experts. Keep me posted for the next trip.

By the way, I enjoy PSpark's article - Guide to Norcal freediving. It is well written from an experienced diver.

Eric

Hey, guys. I follow your advice and am preparing myself for the 1st abalone trip. Appreciate the tips and info provided. I have most of basic stuff ready such as hood, weight belt/weight, fins, iron, gauge and license etc.
But, I still need to get gloves, and knife.

I have a few questions so far.
1) What is snorkel used for? when you are underway, how snorkel is going to help you?
2) I am a good swimmer - comfortable and confident in the water. However, I have not done diving in the past. How many times of practices are needed to be comfortable with diving?

I live in south bay and am interested in carpooling & share the gas cost. The most important is I get to go out with you experts. Keep me posted for the next trip.

By the way, I enjoy PSpark's article - Guide to Norcal freediving. It is well written from an experienced diver.

Eric

1) What is snorkel used for? when you are underway, how snorkel is going to help you?

You breathe through it while on the surface. Not used when you are on your way. some people dive with the snorkel mouthpiece out of their mouths and some dive with it in their mouths. either way its only going to be useful at the surface.

2) I am a good swimmer - comfortable and confident in the water. However, I have not done diving in the past. How many times of practices are needed to be comfortable with diving?

It all depends on how comfortable you get adjusting to diving down with no air source and just a lungful of air. it will help to be properly weighted, warm enough and have all your gear streamlined so you dont get tangled easy. level of comfort is a big part of how easy you adjust to being down there on one breath. also the amount of rest on the surface is important. if you rest properly between dives you will be more relaxed and feel better while you are under water.

i have seen people who were excellent swimmers go out and try abalone diving only to find that being underwater with low vis very stressful. on the other hand i have seen people who cant swim without fins on their feet take up abalone diving real fast becasue they dont know wny different. best thing to do is maybe start out in some coves and learn to spot abalone where its clearer before going out deeper. once you see them you'll always know what they look like should you run into them! deeper does not always mean better for abalone. this past weekend fish'n'dive proved this to me once again!