| Hello:
First let me introduce myself:
My name is Travis and I'm a new employee. I have about a million hobbies,
diving is one of them.
I haven't been able to dive recently (college money woes) but I have the
chance to go to FLA this summer.
My girl friend has access to a time share in Vero Beach florida, the small
blurb in the brochure says something about a corel reef 'a few yards offshore'.
My question is: has anyone been there? Can you suggest a dive group/shop to
hook up with? (my girlfriend hasn't taken any courses yet but wants to try
diving out) Is there a weekender course?
Also: should I take my own equipment on the plane (minus the tank) or just
rent?
Thanx for your time
Travis
|
| Well, since nobody else seems ready to step up and offer Travis some
advice....
When I travel for diving, I take everything but my weightbelt and my
tanks. This is because I know all of my equipment very well, and I'm
very comfortable in it. I also don't like entrusting my well being
underwater to equipment that somebody else has been using and
maintaining. This relates specifically to the regulator and the BC.
Take those if you can, or at least take your own regulator.
In your case, I suspect that, because you "have about a million
hobbies," you are not all that attached to and familiar with the
equipment you own. If that's the case, then it probably doesn't make
much sense for you to haul all that stuff to Vero Beach. It's pretty
often a real hassle to pack all that gear for plane travel, haul it
around as luggage, and then dry it out before making the return trip.
In southern climes, rental rates for dive gear are usually fairly
reasonable given the high traffic in the area, and the slight cost
differential between taking and renting may not be worth it, unless you
have one of those formless BCs that will fit into any shape and type of
luggage.
FWIW
John H-C
|
| Thanx John:
Maybe no one wants to offer info due to the fact
that <CR> challenged, well I learned my lesson.
I figured I wouldn't take my tank and belt. You
offer good advice on the equipment (nope the BC isn't
formless) and I'll prolly pack everything else except the
wetsuit.
Any info on the types of wild life I should look for down
there? I've never gone down in warm water, only fresh water
and off the north shore of MA (brrrrr!)
thanx
Travis
|
| at the NOTES> prompt, type
dir/author=orlowski/all
Stan Orlowski lives down there, at/near Deerfield Beach, and I believe he
entered several notes describing the underwater environment there
shortly after he moved there from MA. He's still with the company,
though his last message to me indicated that he was awfully busy.
I'll be diving in the area in about a week and a half. If you can wait
until then, I'll be happy to fill you in. Maria Maggio mentioned
recently that most of the diving in the area is drift diving from boats
in the 50- 80-foot depth range. Stan has mentioned in the past that the
currents can be appreciably stiff.
John H-C
|