another new diver from az

[mz kitty]

Hey guys! Greetings from Az where it will be 85 this weekend. Just found this site last week and I am already hooked. Already spent money on "toys". (I am so busted). My dive buddy and I are trying to plan some time this summer to go get wet. Maybe North Caroline if we can swing it. If not San Carlos here we come!!!

[James1010]

Hey great place to dive with a great discount on flights. Welcome to the diving family! Once you start you can't stop!

Wet Set Water Adventures of Mexico..the best little PADI dive center in the Mexican Caribbean

[mz kitty]

stop??? I have had so many dreams about being under water I wake up with the bends!

[DON]

Why go to North Carolina ? So Cal is a lot closer, check out a two day dive trip to one of the Northern Channel Island , or a two day trip from San Diego. You could drive to Ca a lot cheaper (two divers) and not have to worry about how much gear you need to bring.

[SynCitizen]

Welcome to the ST community!!

[scubastud]

Welcome fellow "zonie"

[rawalker]

Hey mz kitty,
Welcome to the forum.
Some great diving is available much closer to us.
Mexico has a number of great spots some just a quick drive over the boarder. If you want to stay in the states there is also the drive to California.

[mz kitty]

I would like to do california but all we have are 7 mils. I am not sure if that would be warm enough for the cold water. I heard that North Carolina has wreck diving. Even though Lake Pleasant is close the vis is bad and there are a lot of underwater trees. Not much to look at. I am one of these people who could sit on a rock and watch the fish swim by me.

[rawalker]

From what I've been told (Since Cali is on my list but not yet accomplished) The 7mm is what you'll want unless you want to dive dry. Lake Pleasant get's cold during the winter and takes a while to warm in the spring. Last winter I logged 1 dive with a temperature low of 49*F using a 7.6.5 wetsuit.
How cold you feel comfortable in a wetsuit and for how long is a personal matter. I myself can handle 50* for about 30 minutes in my 7.6.5 with 5mm hood and gloves. This will allow me to do a surface interval and return to the water. If the temps are over 60* I don't need to limit myself and my air consumption improves. Upper 60*s and I start thinking about layering my 3mm full and shorty.

[mz kitty]

Dont have enough dives to do a dry suit. Or enough money. That is why we are planning a dive to Mexico. Border crossings can be a pain. Any other ideas about where to go??? The water is calling.