Posted by Jane Bendik on July 08, 2002 at 23:26:49:
In Reply to: Why We Don't Teach Beach Diving (full version) posted by Ken Kurtis on July 08, 2002 at 22:19:14:
Last year my (then)14 year old son and I took the PADI Open Water Class. On our first beach dive, the *?!!%$ waves were head high! Our instructor just breezed down the beach, into the water and went on out. I lumbered out to the sand and reluctantly entered the water, where I was promptly slammed several times til I finally lost my footing and tumbled back to the beach. My son lost his mask and snorkle; so did the instructor. Luckily, I kept my regulator in my mouth, so it wasn't too bad. My son, hewever, did not. That was it for him. He quit.
To my instructor's credit, we were not required to do any beach dives. We had the option of boat dives only. However, one would think that if conditions were that harsh the dive should have been called off. This year, the waves here in the LA area seem MUCH calmer than last year, but I still cringe entering the surf.
Thanks for listening!
Jane