Diving on Kodiak Island, Alaska - All smiles!!

I have been told that I am a "water rat" and have over 20,000 hours of ocean experience with thousands of Scuba dives, and even more free (skin) dives. At least half of my diving experience is in Northern California waters, which I personally consider to be "World Class Diving". The temperate waters of California allow diving year round. There is nothing better than a clear calm day diving off the Mendocino Coast in a kelp forest with 100 foot of visibility.

Left pic is kayak launch at Van Damme Beach. Right pic kayak back with a limit of Abalone.

I have been an active NAUI Instructor since 1991, and as a Course Director I am authorized by NAUI to instruct at all levels from Scuba Diver to Instructor Trainer. I am the NAUI chapter manager in the San Francisco - San Mateo area, which means I help out the NAUI Representative of the NAUI West Coast Territory when needed. Here is a list of my certifications:
*****NAUI Pro-platinum affiliate
*****NAUI Course Director (Train future Instructors)
*****NAUI Instructor #13329L
*****NAUI Specialty Instructor
*****NAUI Nitrox Instructor
*****NAUI Instructor - Oxygen Administration, Bloodborne Pathogens, and AED
*****Divers Alert Network (DAN) Oxygen First Aid Instructor
*****Divers Alert Network (DAN) Aquatic Emergencies Instructor
*****Professional Scuba Inspectors (PSI) - Visual Cylinder Inspector
*****XS Scuba (formerly IDI) - Regulator Repair
*****Recipient of the 2007 NAUI Outstanding Service Award

I enjoyed a wonderful career with the San Francisco Fire Department and was Captain of the SFFD Coast Rescue Unit (CR-1) and Engine Company 34 for over 8 years; I was also an Instructor in the SFFD Water Rescue Program for a number of years. Needless to say when I went to the firehouse I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time in the ocean participating in surf rescues - or cliff rescues on the sheer cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. If you have never been to San Francisco's Ocean Beach, try to imagine 12 foot waves with a 6 second interval, and on top of that the whole beach is "ripping" out to sea. For those with the proper training it can be a great day of fun in the surf; for those without the proper training, it can be deadly. Simple common sense dictates you always make sure that you are trained for the activity you want to engage in.

I am an avid diver, and thoroughly enjoy all aspects of diving. I do most of my California diving from an ocean kayak off of the Northern California Coast. The wife prefers tropical locations, and we often find ourselves on warm, sunny islands with beautiful blue skies enjoying warm water diving. I prefer California diving, and I enjoy warm water diving as well. Cold water and warm water diving are each distinctive and both have their pros and cons. In a nutshell cold water divers have no problem with warm water diving. It can be difficult for "tropical" divers to make the transition from warm water diving to cold water diving. I honestly feel blessed to live adjacent to California waters.