Posted by Pasley on September 14, 2004 at 09:27:12:
In Reply to: Any tips for a new beach diver? posted by TomR on September 13, 2004 at 14:16:28:
I would invite you to visit http://www.sandeaters.org and check the dive schedule and come on out and join us. Not a club, only a calendar on a website.
Fins on or off, you decide> Advantage of fins on, if you get knocked down by a wave, you have your fins on. Disadvantage, you dramatically (IMHO) increase your chance of getting knocked down.
Fins off: Advantage, you can move quickly though the surf zone and thus reduce your chance of getting knocked down. Disadvantage, if knocked down, aw, what the heck, you just stand up after the wave passes, its no big deal.
Me, fins off 130 beach dives.
Beyond that, what the others have said, carefully check conditions, time the wave sets, and enter during the lull. Be prepared for a bit of a swim out.
In SD I will assume you are diving LaJolla Cove. Excellent site if the swell is out of the south.