just got myself a kayak

[scaliHunter]

i just got myself a ocean kayak and was wondering if anyone has some advice for me for diving from one. or if anyone wants someone to dive dive with just let me know.

[Jurel]

What did you get?
If you're new to it, I'd recommend playing with your kayak a bit first, getting comfortable,
then paddling in conditions and practicing rescues, etc, then start diving from it.

[scaliHunter]

yeah ive been on kayaks many times. ive just started spear fishing not to long ago but always been diving off my dads boat. but i got a pelican cataway. its nothing special i just found it on craigslist for $100.

[DivnSurf]

You'll learn a lot from your first 2 or 3 trips out - as far as what works and what doesn't...

That said, I offer the following advice (mostly safety-related).

- Make every effort to go with someone who has kayak diving experience if at all possible. This is the quickest and generally the safest way to learn.

- Stick close to home initially. Crystal Cove or Laguna would be a good choice, if you'r coming from GG. I say this because until you get in a routine it's very easy to forget things. Simple things, like your paddle, or an anchor, or an anchor line (or kelp tire off line), etc.

- Choose a calm day to go out. Wintertime this means in between North Pacific storms. Enough to keep track of without worrying about launching and returning through surf.

- Secure all gear. Regardless of how calm it is. Secure all gear with the thought that if the boat does capsize, yoy will lose nothing. Secure either inside your hatch or secured to or under a bungee tree or numerous other means.

- Keep your goals for the first couple of dives simple. Bring a single gun and don't be too focused on shooting fish. Instead, go with the attitude that if you learn alot, the outing will be a success.

- Load your gun AFTER you get in the water and unload your gun BEFORE you get back in the boat.

- Attach a dive flag to your boat. Two big benefits - 1)alerts boaters that a diver is nearby and 2) later on when you may be diving in larger swells some distance from your anchored boat, it can become a real challenge to locate your boat. A dive flag on a 3' pole makes it much much easier to keep track of your boat during your dive.

I'm sure others will chime in with more advice. Good luck :thumps:

[U/C Spearo]

Divensurf well written post !!! Practice getting in and out. If you haven't gotten in or out wearing a weight belt, it,s worth practicing. Also remember to carry some water. I have a camelback stuffed in a pocket behind my seat and I just hang the hose. It,s nice because you can just swim up and get a drink with no effort. You can also go to stores like REI and pick up a ocean kayak DVD. You can get some good paddling and good surf bracing techniques. Be safe

[scaliHunter]

Thanks for the tips. And Well said divensurf