Training is in the indoor heated pool at the Central YMCA, 1717 The Alameda in San Jose, California. Map/Directions

NEW! 2008 CLASS DATES and Dive Weekends (dates may be subject to change)

Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:00 to 10:00 PM
Eight SCUBA dives in the ocean during two weekend field trips are included.

April 15 - May 18, Dive Weekends: May 10/11 and May 17/18

July 8 - Aug 10, Dive Weekends: Aug 2/3 and Aug 9/10

NEW Lower Prices! Cost: $125 for YMCA Members, $200 for Non-Members (Includes Classroom, Pool, Ocean Sessions, YMCA Program Fee, reusable toward other YMCA programs - good for 1 year.)

The "Member" rates apply to members of any "YMCA of Santa Clara Valley" (Central, East Valley, Mt. Madonna, Northwest, South Valley and Southwest YMCA's)

Need additional information?
More Info Y SCUBA
e-mail: ymcascuba.pacbell.net
John Munch - Phone: 408-656-1195

Be sure to tell them you found out about it on the San Jose Flipper Dippers' Web site!

See everything underwater (OO) !

Chris will manufacture and install safety lenses to your exact prescription in your dive mask. Whether your prescription calls for astigmatism correction, bifocal lenses, or you just use reading lenses, he'll customize your mask lenses to optimize your underwater experience.

Aerial Photographic Survey of the California Coastline

The California Costal Records Project: The California Costal Records Project
Look up and see stunning, high resolution photos of your favorite dive site! This is an on-going aerial photographic survey of the California coastline.

This Web site has over 34,557 photographs of the current California coast -- roughly one every 500 feet -- covering from the Oregon Border to the Mexican Border. An additional 5,833 images from 1972; 8,000 images from 1979; 4,173 images from 1987; and 1,074 images from 1989 are also online.

Here are some sites to find out what's going on out in the ocean

Planning a 1-day ab-grab? Get daily updates on conditions at Salt Point State Park, on Hwy 1, 20 miles north of Jenner. Conditions are posted daily, usually by 9am, during abalone season (April through November, except July). The rest of the year postings may be intermittent due to lack of staff. Check the Date and Time of Report box to make sure conditions are current. Water visibility is taken at Gerstle Cove and the surf size reported is the largest surf you can expect to find in the park

Monterey Bay Buoy: NDBC Station 46042: Monterey NOAA Station
Planning a dive in Monterey or Carmel? Here is a good site to look at for real-time conditions in the Monterey Bay.

Point Arena Buoy: NDBC Station 46014: Pt.Arena NOAA Station
This is a good site to look at for planning your North Coast weekend or weekday ab dives. It can get nasty sometimes as the coastline is exposed to the open ocean.

Coastal Data Information: Coastal Data Information Program
Wherever your diving takes you, check out this site containing great information for the entire California coastline - in real time! Great color graphics of wave heights and forcast models for planning extended day diving. You'll want to check this site during lobster season.

Tanner Banks Buoy: NDBC Station 46047: Tanner Banks NOAA Station
This buoy is about 20NM north of Cortes Banks (100NM West of San Diego and 40NM Southwest of San Clemente Island), a seamount rising to within 20 feet of the surface in the open ocean, where liveaboard dive boats go during lobster season. There is also the wreck of the USS Abalonia in about 40 feet of water, sunk in 1969. Keep an eye on this buoy's data if you're planning to dive for lobster at Cortes Banks.

West Coast Tide Predictor: West Coast Tide Predictor
This link will provide you with predictions for tides along the U. S. West Coast. When you get to the page, scroll down the list to find the location of interest. You'll find Monterey Harbor, Moss Landing, Santa Cruz among others. Within each, you can pick predictions from 1/2 day to 1 year dates, tabular list, text plot, graphic plot and many more.

Diving off the California Coast?

California State Parks California State Parks
Find information on California's parks for skin and scuba diving, camping, hiking, and many other activities. Park descriptions, services, amenities, maps, brochures, videos, and reservation links can be found on this site.

On-Line Camping Reservations Reserve America
Camping reservations for California's State Parks (and National Parks) are available on-line. Many parks require "site-specific" camping reservations and you'll be prompted to pick a specific site. So be aware when making reservations. Camping site maps and general information for California State Parks can be found on this Web site.

How About Some Really Cool Web Cam Sites?

NEW! Live Course Cams at Pebble Beach:
In real time see what the ocean looks like off the 17th Hole and the 18th Hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Cams update every 10 seconds.

Santa Cruz Harbor and Web Cams: Santa Cruz Harbor
The official web site for the Santa Cruz Port District and Web cams of the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor. The beach camera looks out towards Monterey.

Webcam of the Pacific Ocean in Mendocino: Agate Cove Inn
What's going on with the ocean off Mendocino? The folks at Agate Cove Inn have a site just for you. Camera images are taken every 10 minutes during the day.

The World's Famous Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium: Monterey Bay Aquarium Home Page
Visit the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium LIVE on-line! Lots of new interaction the whole family will enjoy. Be sure to visit the live video camera showing the kelp tank - makes you want to go diving!

"Ships to Reefs" Web Sites

Northern California Oceans Foundation: NCOF Home Page
Northern California Oceans Foundation (NCOF) is a nonprofit public benefit corporation with members and volunteers from the marine, business, medical and scientific communities. NCOF's Ships 2 Reefs Project is a plan to sink surplus military (U.S. Navy) and military support ships from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) as artificial reefs in California's coastal waters. In support of that goal, NCOF has joined a coalition with other organizations to form the California Ships2Reefs Coalition (CS2R).

California Ships2Reefs Coalition (CS2R): California Ships to Reefs
California Ships 2 Reefs (CS2R) is a network of SinkGroups that works closely with regulatory agencies, the federal government and nonprofit organizations to ensure that the acquisition, cleaning and sinking process of all ships is completed in a manor that is environmentally safe and satisfactory to all parties involved. California Ships to Reefs, Inc. (CS2R) is incorporated as the state-wide umbrella and coordinating entity with a representative of each sink group on its board of directors.

Southern California Ships to Reefs: San Diego Oceans Foundation
The San Diego Oceans Foundation has built a legacy of pioneering grassroots volunteer programs which increase our understanding of marine animals, protect ecosystems, and provide solutions to environmental challenges.

East Coast Ships to Reefs: Ships 2 Reefs Home
Ships to Reefs is a movement in support of the sinking of retired naval vessels for the creation of man-made reefs. DEMA, the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association, has established this website to help the diving and action watersports community understand, initiate and execute Ships to Reefs Projects around the globe.

Dive Organizations and Other Great Web Sites

Central California Council of Diving Clubs (Cen Cal): CenCal Home Page
Find out about many of the activities and issues that might impact your Northern and Central California diving. Interested in competition freediving? Look here for the Freediving schedule and latest results. Also, Links to many central California dive clubs.

Pacific Whale Foundation, Maui, Hawaii: Pacific Whale Foundation
Pacific Whale Foundation is to inspire and promote appreciation, understanding and protection of whales, dolphins, coral reefs and our planet's oceans. If you visit Maui be sure to stop by!

UnderwaterTimes: UnderwaterTimes
This Web site was conceived as a news portal that would focus exclusively on the underwater world. The news would be offered the old-fashioned way: delivered everyday, without bias, agendas, or heavy-handed politics, edited with an independent-minded, witty approach.

The Oceancoalition: The Oceancoalition
This is an e-mail list focused primarily toward recreational hunters and users of the ocean. It is used to alert list members of upcoming California Fish and Game Commission meetings as well as Pacific Fisheries Management Council meetings and the issues being considered. If you are interested in being part of a united voice through letter writing and/or meeting attendance, then this list is for you.

California Diving News: California Diving News
California's dive magazine is published monthly. Copies available at The San Jose Flipper Dippers' General Meetings and many dive shops. Monthly features include: Dive Spots, Gear Reviews, Photography, Guest Editorials. Also sponsor of the Annual SCUBA Expo in Long Beach.

West Coast Shore Diving: Shore Diving
A Web site that offers divers the opportunity to get lots of information on dive spots that are accessible from the shore. Areas include Washington, Oregon and California with 110 sites and 400 pictures, as well as Hawaii and others. You'll find directions to each dive location, including precise GPS coordinates.

A photo of the beach, directions and road turn-off, road type, parking availability and entry conditions. Aerial photographs provide detail of reef formations and places to explore. You'll also find a sampling of resources: dive shops, guides, restaurants and accommodations within vicinity of dive site. There is a section of reviews by divers who have visited the spot. You too can post your comments so others are aware of what the dive spot has to offer.

Going for game? Below you'll find lots of information

California Department of Fish and Game: DFG Home Page
Questions on taking fish, lobster and abalone? They can be answered here. Fishing regulations and fees are subject to change. Be sure to visit the Fish & Game's Web site for the latest rules and regulations.

Be sure to get your fishing license ($38.85) if your diving plans include spearfishing, abalone diving, lobster trips, etc.

NEW Abalone Regulations Report Card($18.65): You're limited to 3 in possession and 24 a year; Each abalone report card now includes 24 detachable tags, one of which must be affixed to any abalone taken with a 'zip tie.' The date, time, and location of each abalone taken must be recorded on both the tag and the card.; You must have both with you if on a boat or dive kayak OR when diving from shore; You must mail it to DFG at end of the year.

Refer to the new regulations for complete reporting requirements. A video on the new regulations is also located here: NEW Ab Regulations and Video

Lobster diving requires an additional "Ocean Enhancement" stamp ($4.45). SPINY LOBSTER REPORTING REQUIREMENTS (EFFECTIVE IN FALL 2008) People fishing for, or taking spiny lobster, will need to have a lobster report card in possession ($7.90). Refer to the new regulations for complete reporting requirements. See California Fish & Game Regulations: Changes for 2008

The state of California has been split into four "Management Areas" for recreational sportfishing. These California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations areas: