2-PIECE  FREEDIVING / SPEARFISHING WETSUIT, 7mm (OPEN CELL INTERIOR)  When choosing the right wetsuit, the most important thing is making sure the wetsuit fits properly rather than how it looks. A wetsuit should be sitting tight against your skin and snug on your body. It should not have any folds when you put it on. It should feel tighter on your body but not too tight. The snug fit prevents water infiltration in to the wetsuit. When choosing the correct wetsuit size,  you should measure your 1) chest circumference, 2) waist circumference and 3) hip circumference in centimeters or inches. These measurements will help you choose the right fitting suit when your measurements match the measurements presented in the size charts of various wetsuit manufacturers. Diving Locker, Diving Sports dive shop in Vancouver will help you get the right size suit. Putting the suit on: NEVER try to put on a wetsuit with open cell interior without properly lubing your suit up. Also make sure to never grab / pull on  the interior of the wetsuit since finger nails can easily damage the delicate open cell interior of your wetsuit. 

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Neoprene Vest, 3mm - highly recommended when freediving in cold season,  November - March. Worn under 7mm jacket. 

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WETSUIT LUBE - Wetsuit lube is used to lube up the wetsuit in order to be able to put the wetsuit on. Wetsuit lube can be a dedicated wetsuit lube ( talcum powder, which is mixed with water ) that you can purchase at the dive shop. Myself, and many others use a plant based hair conditioner mixed with water in a spray bottle. Wetsuit lube is only used when you have a wetsuit with open cell interior. NOTE: Rental wetsuits (with interior lining) should NOT be lubed.

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GLOVES, 5 mm - preferably with welded seams to not allow water infiltration thus retaining warmth better 

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SOCKS, 5 -7mm  - 7mm for cold season, 5mm for warm weather season 

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FREEDIVING MASK + SNORKEL  -  a proper fitting mask that doesn't leak is crucial. To ensure the mask fits properly, gently press the mask on your face WITHOUT putting the mask strap over your head and suck in air through the nose to create a vacuum so the mask's silicone skirt seals against your face. If the mask "sticks" to your face without falling off while you are sucking in air through your nose, that is a good fit. Even better fitting mask is a mask that will stick on to your face while you are NOT sucking in air through the nose. If the mask sticks to your face this way without falling off your face after few seconds, that is a great fitting mask with a great seal. The staff at diving shop will help you get a properly fitting mask. ​​​​​

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FREEDIVING FINS - recommended stiffness of blade: soft, recommended material: fiberglass. Fiberglass fins are much better performing fins compared to plastic fins, especially in colder water while being only slightly more expensive. Fiberglass fins are also more durable than carbon fins and best bang for the buck.  Foot pockets: should fit snugly and be comfortable but not too snug to close of circulation. Make sure to try the foot pocket in dive shop with previously mentioned 5 -7 mm socks to ensure foot pocket fits your foot well while you are wearing the 5 - 7mm sock )

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WEIGHT BELT +  WEIGHTS - rent/purchase no less than 18 lbs of weights: In the course we will figure out exactly how much weight you need to put on your weight belt for open water sessions in both fresh water and ocean. IMPORTANT: Avoid getting 4 -5 lbs weights (They are too bulky for freediving as they add more drag in the water and don't allow for fine tuning the overall weight on the weight belt for purposes of establishing accurate neutral buoyancy. Instead, opt for an assortment  2 - 3 lbs weights instead. They are less bulky than the 4 - or 5 lbs weights and as a result of this, they provide less drag in the water. Also as a result of their lesser bulk, they sit better on the weight belt and allow for more precise adjustments when it comes to establishing neutral buoyancy. An assortment of  6 x 2 lbs weights and 2 x 3 lbs weights ( total of 18 lbs ) is ideal. This assortment offers the following weight combinations that allow for fine tuning of the total weight in precise 1lbs increments needed to establish a neutral buoyancy at approx. -10 m.  For a vast majority of people wearing 7mm wetsuits, the total amount of weight on their weight belt required to establish a neutral buoyancy  at approx. - 10m ranges from approx. 14 - 16 lbs, thus the aforementioned weight assortment offers the following weight combinations that allow for fine tuning the total weight ( in precise 1 lbs increments ) to establish a perfect neutral buoyancy at -9 to -11m (-10m average) for vast majority of folks: 

                 1# Combination (14 lbs) : 4 x 2 lbs + 2 x 3 lbs = 14 lbs on the belt

                 2# Combination (15 lbs) : 6 x 2 lbs + 1 x 3 lbs = 15 lbs on the belt

                 3# Combination (16 lbs): 5 x 2 lbs + 2 x 3 lbs = 16 lbs on the belt

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GEAR BAG  - To store all your freediving gear so you are able to more comfortably carry your gear. Drybags with shoulder straps are my recommendation. Make sure your freediving fins can fit in the bag.

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Oversized Sandals or Crocks  - To put on your feet while you are suited up in your wetsuit and while wearing neoprene socks. By having one size larger sandals or Crocks it allows you to wear them with your 5mm thick neoprene socks when you walk over to the dive spot / shoreline. 

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​Other Useful Equipment to have but NOT required for the course:

  

Dive Knife -  highly recommended when freediving recreationally and spearfishing)

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Dive Watch - highly recommended for freediving and spearfishing 

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Dive Buoy - highly recommended when recreationally freediving and spearfishing

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Dive Light - useful for spearfishing when hole hunting or when looking for critters in holes and crevices.

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Speargun or Polespear -  only required if spearfishing 

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Catch Bag & Fish Stringer - only required  if spearfishing 

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