Rocks, Rips, & Reefs 2008

The Greater Los Angeles Council of Divers (GLACD) and the Los Angeles County Underwater Instructors Association (LA Co. UIA) have joined forces to produce an entire series of courses designed to safely introduce divers to popular, local dive sites.

Conducted by certified Los Angeles County Scuba instructors, the Rocks, Rips, and Reefs course includes a short educational seminar covering safe beach diving skills, certain aspects of the local marine environment, and other valuable, site-specific information. Conditions permitting, the seminar is followed by an in-water demonstration and practice session that includes a skin diving tour of the actual dive site.

Topics and skills covered in the course include:

• Choosing appropriate entry and exit points, and safe entry and exit skills
• Identifying, anticipating, and navigating hidden obstacles in the surf zone
• How to use the ocean’s natural wave motion to your advantage
• How to plan your dive by reading the ocean’s surface and using tide tables
• How to find interesting stuff at each location

Participants are required to wear a full wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins (refer to "What do I Need to Bring" below). A weight belt with no more than half the normal diving weight is optional; if used, please bring a snorkeling vest or BC. Tanks and regulators are not allowed during the program, but may be brought along if you plan to make a dive after the class is over.

After completing the in-water practice, we finish the session with a noon time get-together and social, so bring along a picnic lunch and plan on socializing afterwards.

SCUBA certification is not required in order to participate in 3R’s courses! New divers welcomed!

Is There an Age or Physical Restriction?

Anyone who is interested in California’s local beaches is welcome to attend the lecture portion of the program.  If you plan to participate in the in-water activities, you should have good physical health and condition. 

To participate in the in-water activities, minors must be 10 years or older and must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.  An exception is for organized youth groups (such as the Boy Scouts of America) - such groups must contact the Underwater Unit of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation at least three weeks in advance of the event for instructions and forms.  

When and where are you diving?

Schedule: Classes start at 8am and usually go through 11am. Arrive and register at 7:30am.

2008 Schedule:

• May 17 - Leo Carrillo South
  3500 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
  More info here
  
  
• June 14 - Nicholas Canyon
  33850 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
  More info here
  
  
• July 12 - Malaga Cove ~ Rat Beach
  389 Paseo Del Mar, Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
  More info here
  
  
• August 9 - Point Dume (with Baywatch)
  7200 Westward Beach Rd., Malibu, CA 90265
  More info here
  
  
• September 13 - White Point
  1800 Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro, CA 90732
  More info here
  
  
• October 11 - Leo Carrillo North
  3500 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
  More info here

Why should I take this?

Our goal is to support you in becoming a better, safer diver through education. This includes teaching the dive community about beach diving conditions such as:

• Identifying, anticipating, and navigating hidden obstacles in the surf zone
• How to use the ocean's natural wave motion to your advantage and conserve energy
• Using tide tables to plan your dive
• How to pick a dive site and plan your dive day there
• How to find cool stuff at a dive location such as marine life
• Choosing an appropriate entry and exit point
• Most of all: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Will I get to go scuba diving afterwards?

Absolutely! Our main focus of the 3R's is advancing your knowledge of the ocean/beach environment. Once 3R's is finished, you are free to dive with your buddy. Unfortunately, liability reasons do not allow us to scuba dive as part of the 3R's program.

What do I need to bring?

Full Skin Gear (FSG) for 3R's.  Full Skin Gear is full wetsuit, mask, fins, and a snorkel.  We highly recommend sturdy booties with open heel fins to provide foot protection.  A hood and gloves are also recommended for comfort and safety.  If you desire to wear a weight belt for practicing skin diging, you need to wear a snorkeling vest of buoyancy compensator and wear only half the weight you would normally wear for scuba diving.  Don't forget to bring sunscreen and other exposure protection (depending on the day) as well as drinking water to maintain hydration.

There is a $5.00 suggested tax deductible donation to help fund the program. Fee is waived for GLACD members. GLACD membership is $15 and includes all 3R's sessions. GLACD is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

You can also get more information and register in advance by emailing mail@glacd.org or visit www.glacd.org.

You do not need to be SCUBA certified to take this course. It is useful for the entire family, friends, and anyone going into the water.

At special times, we often get the opportunity for the lifeguards to come out and do a talk on the surf conditions and the type of beach.

After completing the in-water practice, we finish the session with a noon time Bar-B-Que, so bring along a picnic lunch and plan on socializing afterwards!