Want to start diving!!! Need advice!

Ok guys, I'm ready to give abalone diving a go and maybe try shooting some fish. I need some advice on the freedive suit. I am looking at Yazbeck or Escalpez, should I go camo or black? If there is one color preferred please say so. On fins, carbon fiber or plastic? I was thinking of heading to freedive shop at Sacrento. Should I start with a gun or the sling? Any tips and advice, I am all ears and will greatly appreciate it.

I would rent first to see if you like it or not.
I got a Yazbeck last year and immediately kicked myself for not doing it years sooner.
A sling is a nice way to start off. But like renting a suit, see if you can borrow something to make sure you like it before you buy.
There are many others on here WAY more qualified to give advice than I.
I'm sure they'll chime in.

Definately rent to start.
Don't worry about a speargun for at least a few dives, it takes a lot more work to learn to get down and be comfy than it does to learn to point and shoot.
 
My advice is rent some gear find a responsible experienced diver and give it a go.
Good luck in your pursuit.

Thanks Tote and James for the advice, keep it coming guys.

The Free Dive shop in Sac rents freedive suits.  Fit is the most important consideration.  I don't know if camo makes a difference to fish but it looks cool on the beach.  Black looks better in pictures underwater.

Plastic fins would be fine for north coast.  Fiberglass is better, carbon is better yet, but plastic is more durable and much less expensive work very well.  Fiberglass and carbon show their superiority when diving to depths, not so much on the reef.

A sling is a good way to learn to hunt and it's less expensive than a gun.  Gun's give better range on your shots.

Once you go you'll be hooked and soon you will probably be upgrading your gear.  If finances dictate that you get one quality piece and go cheap on the rest, get a good suit first, it will make the biggest difference.  My next upgrade would be a gun.  The Freedive Shop won't steer you wrong when it comes to guns.  They will probably push Rob Allen guns, and they are a good choice.  Carbon fins would be down the road after the dive watch, low volume mask, go pro...............

I purchased all my gear from The Freedive Shop in Sac. I tried several suits on before I decided on the Yazbeck. On a side note, freedive suits have to be "lubed" before putting them, so don't forget the "suitslip". You will want to bring an extra pair of choinnies, you don't need/have to wear them once you buy a suit. I never had a DROP of cold water get into my suit! They aren't the cheapest place, but its owned and ran by a husband and wife, both are great knowledgeable people, who want to help you be successful; this is why I purchased everything from them. 

Getting info from here is great. Getting info from Vanessa et al @ Freedive shop is also great. Color doesn't seem to matter up here and plastic fins are usually better for new guys, especially in rocky areas. You could seriously just go there and tell them I want to get started abalone diving and they'll set you up with the basics.

Definately rent to start.
Don't worry about a speargun for at least a few dives, it takes a lot more work to learn to get down and be comfy than it does to learn to point and shoot.
 
My advice is rent some gear find a responsible experienced diver and give it a go.
Good luck in your pursuit.

+1

You don't want to be the guy placing all your gear on Craigslist after you find out that diving is not for you.
Antonio

Managing all your gear and optimizing your time in the water is the key!
Advice I  always give guys who want to go get abs and shoot fish is.....
Don't bring out too much gear on the first try and keep it simple.
Everything will come in time.

Ask wildernesshunter

Not trying to thread jack...but thanks everyone for the advice as well. I too would love to get into diving...but I cannot get my head straight on the pressure thing despite reading and trying many times. My ears and front of face feel like I am going to explode and diving in shallow water may be limiting. Any advice?...I am sure others need help as well....

Talk to a ENT doc could be something simple. Sometimes I take sudafed to help me as I have problems sometimes.

Not trying to thread jack...but thanks everyone for the advice as well. I too would love to get into diving...but I cannot get my head straight on the pressure thing despite reading and trying many times. My ears and front of face feel like I am going to explode and diving in shallow water may be limiting. Any advice?...I am sure others need help as well....

Ears.

This deserves it's own thread.  It can be rather extensive.

Not trying to thread jack...but thanks everyone for the advice as well. I too would love to get into diving...but I cannot get my head straight on the pressure thing despite reading and trying many times. My ears and front of face feel like I am going to explode and diving in shallow water may be limiting. Any advice?...I am sure others need help as well....

Ears.

This deserves it's own thread.  It can be rather extensive.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=28727.msg308440#msg308440