The middle agers group. (Upper 30s,40s & 50ish folks)

mtaratoot wrote: »

AliNouveau wrote: »

cgrout78 wrote: »

I cry trying on bathing suits...so stressful. I just need to put on my big girl panties (bikini bottoms?) and deal with it !!!!

There are lots of tankinis this year at the store I like to shop at and they are like loose outer parts of them. So i got like this little crop top one that is loose so it hides a lot. Then lots of bottoms are high waisted although I don't like those I always feel fatter in them so I will pair this with some bottoms I have
This is the top it is awesome https://www.lavieenrose.com/en/solid-crop-cami-bikini-top-black-150416

THIS is the swimming suit I will be wearing soon (the 3mm version)



I've never had a suit like this; I usually use a drysuit or sometimes my 7mm suit that has a built-in hood and 5mm vest. At 3mm, even this one might be "too warm" for 80-degree water. But I won't get cold! And it will protect most of my body from jelly stings. I might even add some thin gloves, like those nitrile-coated cotton ones. I hate getting stung.

I thought you were going to swim with sharks in that thing..LOL

kimber0607 wrote: »

mtaratoot wrote: »

AliNouveau wrote: »

cgrout78 wrote: »

I cry trying on bathing suits...so stressful. I just need to put on my big girl panties (bikini bottoms?) and deal with it !!!!

There are lots of tankinis this year at the store I like to shop at and they are like loose outer parts of them. So i got like this little crop top one that is loose so it hides a lot. Then lots of bottoms are high waisted although I don't like those I always feel fatter in them so I will pair this with some bottoms I have
This is the top it is awesome https://www.lavieenrose.com/en/solid-crop-cami-bikini-top-black-150416

THIS is the swimming suit I will be wearing soon (the 3mm version)



I've never had a suit like this; I usually use a drysuit or sometimes my 7mm suit that has a built-in hood and 5mm vest. At 3mm, even this one might be "too warm" for 80-degree water. But I won't get cold! And it will protect most of my body from jelly stings. I might even add some thin gloves, like those nitrile-coated cotton ones. I hate getting stung.

I thought you were going to swim with sharks in that thing..LOL

We might see sharks. I do fish presence and abundance surveys, and I had a look at what animals are most often seen; I need to study up because I have never done ANY tropical diving. The most commonly surveyed shark is a nurse shark, but it was only seen on about 2.5% of dives (over 5000 survey dives since 1993 and almost 6300 hours underwater). Next would be the Caribbean Reef Shark seen on only 0.3% of surveys. To be sure; there might have been sharks seen on more dives, but we only report species that we can identify 100% accurately. People would be able to identify a hammerhead - they are reported only 0.08% of surveys - actually only one time, and it was by a novice.

What I think we will almost certainly see are Blue Chromis, Foureye butterflyfish, and Stoplight parrotfish. Those get reported almost every survey.




There are about 40 species that are seen on at least half of the dives, so my first focus will be on learning those. I also hope to see some of the rarer species like Manta ray. I hope we find some Goliath Grouper. We're more likely to see Nassau Grouper; that will be keen, too.

mtaratoot wrote: »

kimber0607 wrote: »

mtaratoot wrote: »

AliNouveau wrote: »

cgrout78 wrote: »

I cry trying on bathing suits...so stressful. I just need to put on my big girl panties (bikini bottoms?) and deal with it !!!!

There are lots of tankinis this year at the store I like to shop at and they are like loose outer parts of them. So i got like this little crop top one that is loose so it hides a lot. Then lots of bottoms are high waisted although I don't like those I always feel fatter in them so I will pair this with some bottoms I have
This is the top it is awesome https://www.lavieenrose.com/en/solid-crop-cami-bikini-top-black-150416

THIS is the swimming suit I will be wearing soon (the 3mm version)



I've never had a suit like this; I usually use a drysuit or sometimes my 7mm suit that has a built-in hood and 5mm vest. At 3mm, even this one might be "too warm" for 80-degree water. But I won't get cold! And it will protect most of my body from jelly stings. I might even add some thin gloves, like those nitrile-coated cotton ones. I hate getting stung.

I thought you were going to swim with sharks in that thing..LOL

We might see sharks. I do fish presence and abundance surveys, and I had a look at what animals are most often seen; I need to study up because I have never done ANY tropical diving. The most commonly surveyed shark is a nurse shark, but it was only seen on about 2.5% of dives (over 5000 survey dives since 1993 and almost 6300 hours underwater). Next would be the Caribbean Reef Shark seen on only 0.3% of surveys. To be sure; there might have been sharks seen on more dives, but we only report species that we can identify 100% accurately. People would be able to identify a hammerhead - they are reported only 0.08% of surveys - actually only one time, and it was by a novice.

What I think we will almost certainly see are Blue Chromis, Foureye butterflyfish, and Stoplight parrotfish. Those get reported almost every survey.




There are about 40 species that are seen on at least half of the dives, so my first focus will be on learning those. I also hope to see some of the rarer species like Manta ray. I hope we find some Goliath Grouper. We're more likely to see Nassau Grouper; that will be keen, too.

Very cool!!!
I am both petrified and fascinated with sharks...if that makes any sense
In my late teens, I almost got a tattoo of a shark one drunken night in NYC-thank god I didnt have enough money..LOL

kimber0607 wrote: »

Very cool!!!
I am both petrified and fascinated with sharks...if that makes any sense
In my late teens, I almost got a tattoo of a shark one drunken night in NYC-thank god I didnt have enough money..LOL

For most sharks, you are not on the menu. There are a few that sometimes have unfavorable interactions with divers. More likely that a swimmer or surfer triggers a feeding instinct because they look like what lunch looks like swimming above. It's usually just a taste because we really AREN'T for lunch. Of course if a large White Shark takes a taste, you'll still be damaged even when it lets you go. I have only seen a limited number of sharks diving in California. Mostly small ones. I've seen Angel Sharks, Horn Sharks, Leopard Sharks, and Tope Sharks. I once ~thought~ I saw a Blue Shark, but it was probably a Tope Shark. I've also seen rays; same family. Bat rays are cool. Electric rays are also WAY cool (look like the Starship Enterprise), but don't touch or get too close; they can give a good shock. Also seen a couple Round Stingrays. I would LOVE to see a Whale Shark!

One dive years ago we were swimming through Giant Kelp. The passage was pretty narrow, so my buddy and I were single file instead of abreast. I was in front. There was a clearing ahead, and I saw a shark swim by. I turned and made the "Shark" sign to my buddy. I turned back around, and as we proceeded, the shark came back and swam down the same passage we were swimming up. It was a Tope shark. It got close enough for us to get a really good look at. We got back on the boat, and my buddy said, "I sure am glad YOU were in front." I said, "Me too!" No need to be petrified. If you want to be scared of something.... INFLUENZA!

mtaratoot wrote: »

kimber0607 wrote: »

mtaratoot wrote: »

AliNouveau wrote: »

cgrout78 wrote: »

I cry trying on bathing suits...so stressful. I just need to put on my big girl panties (bikini bottoms?) and deal with it !!!!

There are lots of tankinis this year at the store I like to shop at and they are like loose outer parts of them. So i got like this little crop top one that is loose so it hides a lot. Then lots of bottoms are high waisted although I don't like those I always feel fatter in them so I will pair this with some bottoms I have
This is the top it is awesome https://www.lavieenrose.com/en/solid-crop-cami-bikini-top-black-150416

THIS is the swimming suit I will be wearing soon (the 3mm version)



I've never had a suit like this; I usually use a drysuit or sometimes my 7mm suit that has a built-in hood and 5mm vest. At 3mm, even this one might be "too warm" for 80-degree water. But I won't get cold! And it will protect most of my body from jelly stings. I might even add some thin gloves, like those nitrile-coated cotton ones. I hate getting stung.

I thought you were going to swim with sharks in that thing..LOL

We might see sharks. I do fish presence and abundance surveys, and I had a look at what animals are most often seen; I need to study up because I have never done ANY tropical diving. The most commonly surveyed shark is a nurse shark, but it was only seen on about 2.5% of dives (over 5000 survey dives since 1993 and almost 6300 hours underwater). Next would be the Caribbean Reef Shark seen on only 0.3% of surveys. To be sure; there might have been sharks seen on more dives, but we only report species that we can identify 100% accurately. People would be able to identify a hammerhead - they are reported only 0.08% of surveys - actually only one time, and it was by a novice.

What I think we will almost certainly see are Blue Chromis, Foureye butterflyfish, and Stoplight parrotfish. Those get reported almost every survey.




There are about 40 species that are seen on at least half of the dives, so my first focus will be on learning those. I also hope to see some of the rarer species like Manta ray. I hope we find some Goliath Grouper. We're more likely to see Nassau Grouper; that will be keen, too.

I'm sure you're going to need an assistant for these surveys. I'll be happy to provide a resume'.

Versicolour wrote: »

Good morning! I did some shopping for my Valentines night run. I found some glow in the dark face paint. Let's see how that works. I will definitely be changing my profile pic if it all turns out well!

Fun!!!
What about a hair band with hearts? I need to find one for my curling game on Friday

AliNouveau wrote: »

Versicolour wrote: »

Good morning! I did some shopping for my Valentines night run. I found some glow in the dark face paint. Let's see how that works. I will definitely be changing my profile pic if it all turns out well!

Fun!!!
What about a hair band with hearts? I need to find one for my curling game on Friday

I got a headband with a rose hairclip/hairband/pin. It was really cheap!

slimgirljo15 wrote: »

mtaratoot wrote: »

kimber0607 wrote: »

Very cool!!!
I am both petrified and fascinated with sharks...if that makes any sense
In my late teens, I almost got a tattoo of a shark one drunken night in NYC-thank god I didnt have enough money..LOL

For most sharks, you are not on the menu. There are a few that sometimes have unfavorable interactions with divers. More likely that a swimmer or surfer triggers a feeding instinct because they look like what lunch looks like swimming above. It's usually just a taste because we really AREN'T for lunch. Of course if a large White Shark takes a taste, you'll still be damaged even when it lets you go. I have only seen a limited number of sharks diving in California. Mostly small ones. I've seen Angel Sharks, Horn Sharks, Leopard Sharks, and Tope Sharks. I once ~thought~ I saw a Blue Shark, but it was probably a Tope Shark. I've also seen rays; same family. Bat rays are cool. Electric rays are also WAY cool (look like the Starship Enterprise), but don't touch or get too close; they can give a good shock. Also seen a couple Round Stingrays. I would LOVE to see a Whale Shark!

One dive years ago we were swimming through Giant Kelp. The passage was pretty narrow, so my buddy and I were single file instead of abreast. I was in front. There was a clearing ahead, and I saw a shark swim by. I turned and made the "Shark" sign to my buddy. I turned back around, and as we proceeded, the shark came back and swam down the same passage we were swimming up. It was a Tope shark. It got close enough for us to get a really good look at. We got back on the boat, and my buddy said, "I sure am glad YOU were in front." I said, "Me too!" No need to be petrified. If you want to be scared of something.... INFLUENZA!

All I can say is.. I think you are a brave man. I think sharks are scary. Great Whites the scariest, I would be running on top of the water if I saw one.. 🦈

Swimming with sharks is not really scary at all. It is wonderful, and I'm lucky to have done it.

Here is my Great Hammerhead video from Bimini a few year ago:
https://youtu.be/AtJx3UKS6S0

I am hoping I will be able to snorkel with whales on a holiday soon.