Posted by msblucow on December 16, 1999 at 02:28:48:
In Reply to: California Waters posted by Matt Tonkin on December 12, 1999 at 10:59:42:
Just a word of caution. I recently took a friend out for her first Catalina dive (she was certified in Florida) and it was a disaster. This was at Casino Point (a big round of applause for the new stairs!) in October. The weather was perfect and the swells were small, but my friend totally freaked out during the entry and wouldn't get in the water after that. The thick wetsuit, additional weighting, and colder water threw her for a total loop. It was not what she was used to and she just couldn't handle it. Just make sure that you and your friend know what to expect. If you can go with a third person, or a group that's very experienced with the dive site of your choice, it might be helpful too. Good luck!