Scuba expansion??

[smokin'reefer]

I have been here on reef2reef probably close to a year-and-a-half now. May be new to this type of forum, it was a little awkward at first. Over time I have been able to find myself around. Find the information that I am looking for and where to post questions when I have them.

Because of my reef tank and all the amazement I have going on in it, I have segwayed into scuba diving. I'm trying to go from The Reef in my living room to a natural Reef out in the ocean. Best decision ever. Although I haven't made it into salt water, I got to dive in a couple of Natural Springs Florida for my certification.

Because this is a new hobby for me,. I have been looking to gain information on equipment and people in the hobby much like I have here on reef2reef. I have tried one of the scuba forums but it is a bit awkward. I guess I have just gotten too accustomed to the way Reef2reef set up.

I was wondering if any of the powers that'd be here on reef2reef have ever thought of dedicating a category just for scuba. It seems like a natural place here being that this is Reef to Reef. You know like going from real live Reef in the living room to a reef out in the ocean.

What I am mainly looking to do, besides just information on equipment, is to network with people in my area that want to dive on a regular basis. Being on the East Coast I would like to get out off the coast in South Carolina North Carolina and Florida maybe on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. And then maybe once a year do a good blowout dive on an island or possibly overseas.

 

[Dsnakes]

I live on the coast in NC. I got certified in Guam last winter. It is amazing. That's actually why I set up a reef tank the month I returned home. I was longing to see the reef everyday! If you make it to the outerbanks let me know, plenty of wrecks here.

 

[smokin'reefer]

I live on the coast in NC. I got certified in Guam last winter. It is amazing. That's actually why I set up a reef tank the month I returned home. I was longing to see the reef everyday! If you make it to the outerbanks let me know, plenty of wrecks here.

I was reading the other night about all the wrecks off of the North Carolina coast. Right now I am checking into diving out of Charleston on some of theirs. I am only open water certified now but am working on my skills to hopefully do my Advance down in Florida in January or February. The owner of the shop down there takes you out on a few wrecks and you also do some spearfishing which seems to be awesome.

 

[GHsaltie]

I second this idea! I think it would be interesting, perhaps a little tricky but I know we have a lot of divers on here. I'm also in the east coast, have been open water certified since last September but have had trouble finding the time and people to dive with. #mods what do you guys think?

 

[Paul B]

I live on Long Island NY and incorporate plenty of stuff I collect into my tank. I have about 200 dives here and another hundred or so in the tropics. Many aquarists are also divers.
I am giving away this Parkway 1/4" wet suit free if anyone wants it. Hardly used.

 

[sternicus]

I live on Long Island NY and incorporate plenty of stuff I collect into my tank. I have about 200 dives here and another hundred or so in the tropics. Many aquarists are also divers.
I am giving away this Parkway 1/4" wet suit free if anyone wants it. Hardly used.

I'm interested in getting into the hobby. What size is this wetsuit?

 

[Paul B]

I am 5' 7" and not real skinny. That's the size of the suit. I already gave away my 2 tanks, 3 regulators, weights and a bunch of other things. The wet suit is all that is left.

 

[smokin'reefer]

I am 5' 7" and not real skinny. That's the size of the suit. I already gave away my 2 tanks, 3 regulators, weights and a bunch of other things. The wet suit is all that is left.

Sounds like that would fit my son. If sternicus doesn't want it I will gladly pay the shipping and whatever to package it up and send it to me.

 

[Paul B]

I don't care who takes it as I will need to throw it out soon because I am moving to a much smaller place and have to down size. I am even buying smaller fish. :rolleyes:

 

[smokin'reefer]

I second this idea! I think it would be interesting, perhaps a little tricky but I know we have a lot of divers on here. I'm also in the east coast, have been open water certified since last September but have had trouble finding the time and people to dive with. #mods what do you guys think?

That's my problem now. Finding a few dive buddies. One thing you can't do alone.

I went to Florida with a group of 4 to take lessons. My daughter and her boyfriend caught a cold and couldn't finish. My friend from work made it thru, but it was a struggle for him at 57 years old. He fell into an equipment pitfall with Craigslist and has been nursing an issue with his knee/leg.

It seems to me this would be a win, win win for everyone on r2r.

Member/divers:
-Could network for dive buddies or share info on local dives.
-Share info on gear and other pitfalls they have experienced.
-Help other reefer that want to take the plunge on where's and how tos.

Sponsors:
-Most local dive shops, I would think, would gladly pay to have access to a group of people already intrigued by underwater life.
-New Vendors would have access to a customer base that could expand outside of just divers. Who doesn't want a cool wetsuit to clean there tank in. (I believe I saw a fun thread on this once)
-Existing vendors might get extra sales on corals some one saw on a dive and just has to have.

Reef2Reef:
-Expanding both their member base and sponsor base as exampled above.
-Not only would you have Reefers venturing into diving, but with the better set up on this forum, there is a good chance divers would come in and see a way to have the ocean in their homes thru Reefing.

 

[GHsaltie]

@smokin'reefer I agree on all points. I think the fine line would come when trying to keep R2R as it is, and not let an expansion change the core of what the forum is.

 

[Paul B]

That's my problem now. Finding a few dive buddies. One thing you can't do alone.

This was a big problem here for me in New York as my dive partner moved to Key largo and no one wants to dive here because the visibility is about 18" on a good day. But I consider that a good thing because of that lousy visibility everything that was ever lost or sunk is still there. In clear water, you won't find anything interesting as 873 people already found it and put it back.
We also have an abundance of lobsters here.
I did do plenty of dives by myself because I had a sea urchin business and I had to collect urchins but that is not recommended, especially for new divers.
Here is me (on the right) and my dive buddy picking out "new" dive gear. :rolleyes:



And diving in (I think) a lake in probably 1975. (I hate lake diving)

 

[Paul B]

:DSmokin'Reefer, I will send you the wet suit today as I need to move things out.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I think this could be really cool. We're discussing it! Could you guys help us get diving reefers here?

 

[Dsnakes]

I know a couple here that would be interested!

 

[smokin'reefer]

I'll put a bug in the ear at my local dive shops this weekend. With things slowing down I'm sure they are looking for ways to educate aspiring divers.

My daughter and son will probably be going down the weekend of the October 20th through 22nd in Jacksonville Beach Fl to finish off their lessons. I like this place because they have it set up for 3 days. Friday night pool training. Saturday morning at the Devil's Den spring. And then Sunday drift dive in the Rainbow River. The water stays 72 degrees year-round. This gives you your 5 dive that you need for certification. They Supply everything. All you need are mask fins snorkel and a towel.

These people would be great for doing group deals for Reef to Reef. I signed up for people together and they gave me an awesome discount.

This is me and my dive buddy after we finished up at the Rainbow River.

Here's my daughter realizing these wetsuits get pretty hot before you get in the water. LOL

 

[NewSaltWaterGuy]

I support this, wanting to get into diving myself.
Will be neat to see what happens from here :o following

 

[Paul B]

When I got certified in the early 70s there was only one certification and it covered you for everything. Beach, boat, rescue, cave, decompression, Supermodel rescue and any thing else you wanted to call it. The 3 open water dives were in Long Island with about 3" of visibility so if you wanted to see your watch, you had to put it inside your mask. The instructor had to literally hold your hand so he could see your hand signals. The PADI course was 12 weeks, half of it in a pool. My certification only says Open Water Diver and it is accepted all over the world as they never heard of it. I think my Certification card is made out of wood. :rolleyes:

 

[GHsaltie]

@smokin'reefer how did you like rainbow river? I want to dive some of the FL rivers when I can get back into it. Actually had a trip planned earlier this month for crystal river but had to cancel do to working overtime :(.
What brand wetsuit is your daughter wearing? I'm small in stature/weight and am having a hard time finding one that fits nicely.

 

[smokin'reefer]

Rainbow river was pretty sweet. There were a couple of springs you could put your hands on. A few small caves. Here are some pics I took.

I hear the Blue Grotto is pretty nice also. It is close to Rainbow River. More caves, but if you only have open water, you can't carry a flashlight so you are not tempted.