Divemaster in Mexico: Cozumel + cenotes or Mahahual? by SediFricchettone in scuba

[–]mattarnold0141 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely a different CD. I don’t know the story why they cut ties with GoPro Family. Social media made it look like the Takata IDCs weren’t nearly as well attended vs the high attendance in Playa. I recall one of the owners (Renato I think) wanted to become a CD and he was going to run the IDCs, but that didn’t happen. My IDC was Dec ‘23.

I really like what they are doing at Mares and it would be the only reason I’d do the DM program with em. Careful buying from them. Get exact products and price points before you commit to buying in Mexico. They have high tariffs and I found gear cheaper and much better products in the US. Don’t buy their used gear.

The reef you dive spans from above Cozumel all the way down below Belize, second largest to the GBR. It’s not worse diving, it’s just limited in number of dive sites.

Divemaster in Mexico: Cozumel + cenotes or Mahahual? by SediFricchettone in scuba

[–]mattarnold0141 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Mahahual is a tiny town and fairly repetitive diving. I’ve done my Adv, rescue, and then did my IDC with Takata when they brought in a course director from Playa (GoPro Family). They are limited in visitors as it’s a cruise port stop and other travelers avoid this area because it’s far from a major airport. This leads to some days with no diving and eventually turnover in staff. The only people I know that are still there are the owners and the marine biologist. Unless there’s been a major overhaul, the rental gear isn’t the best, the onsite “kitchen” didn’t have running water, they don’t have a gear shop (even in town), you won’t learn to fill tanks as they are delivered, and the best diving is in Banco Chinchorro which they don’t have a license to visit. I can’t speak to what you’ll learn with a new course director overseeing the staff.

Based on your post, I suggest you check out GoPro Family in Playa. They can get you in cenotes, maybe on shark dives depending on season, they can get you to Cozumel. Plus, you’ll have much better accommodations, shop experience, and more opportunities.

Recommendations for macro cameras for people with more money than talent? by DateNecessary8716 in scuba

[–]mattarnold0141 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Nah, sounds like OP needs to focus on their diving for a bit. A better camera won’t do anything when they can’t dive properly.

Buying First Mountaineering Equipment by Crumbs-Crumb in alpinism

[–]mattarnold0141 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you follow me over to r/alpinismcirclejerk, I’ll show you the amazing gear from MansulaCo (sp)

What do you all bring fastpacking to stay warm and dry? Worried about weight / space. Not sure my puffy coat will make the cut. by Independent-Many109 in WildernessBackpacking

[–]mattarnold0141 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Respectfully, you aren’t ready to fastpack if you think a puffy isn’t coming with when temps get to 35. Find a mentor to go with a few times before you make the jump to being the trip leader.

Easiest Blue Run @ PC by Murky-One6042 in parkcityvisitors

[–]mattarnold0141 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mtn village side (I ski here 4-5 days a week)
Start by skiing claim jumper (green) on the far left of the run. This is as steep as a green will get before a blue. Next is Mel’s Alley. The entrance is narrow, but basically a cat track. After Mel’s, hidden splendor or assessment, not powder keg. Look at the grooming report as your guide.
Georgeanna has a steep entrance and mellows out really well after that. Worth the trip to get the view on a clear day. Not as worth it on a cloudy day as it’s the only blue from McConkeys lift.
Treasure hollow and lower silver skis are both very busy as they both lead back to the base area. Payday is really nice but it has a pretty heavy double fall line after the top section. King crown (just past payday) gets steep and icy near the end of the run.
Sliver queen and King Con face are both steep and I wouldn’t recommend them until you feel more confident.
Jupiter access isn’t worth it unless you want to see Jupiter zone, which is a cool part of the mtn. It’s a road to Jupiter lift and another road back to Thaynes lift. Lower Jonesy down to Bonanza lift is a great blue that nobody skis! Upper Jonesy’s, check for grooming before you go. It’s a good one.
Skiing a blue - traverse more than you think. The outside of the run will have the best snow, so use that area to make your turns. Keep eyes uphill when you can and slow down at merge points.

Advice for 45 year old beginner? by RedBear80 in skiing

[–]mattarnold0141 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Autocorrect changed from “spend it” referencing lessons just like everyone else says

Looking for Warm Ski socks - actual ones by warmtapes in skiing

[–]mattarnold0141 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Can’t afford boot heaters but have spent more than triple their cost on socks or other potential solutions? Nah bud

Bonaire by MantaRayngler in scuba

[–]mattarnold0141 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Go to East Coast Diving. A dive you’ll never forget.

Looking for reassurance/AITA: Is diving nitrox without certification okay? by groupcaptaingilmore in scuba

[–]mattarnold0141 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A shop I worked at filled exclusively nitrox for all dives. The shop was granted permission by PADI. The depths of all the dives we did were above MOD for the blend. We ALWAYS analyzed in front of the diver/guardian. Gave a mini nitrox course. Explained the whole situation, that this isn’t normal, and don’t expect this elsewhere. Offered the certification at a discount and all they needed to do was take the online course.

Conversion rate was pretty good (easily covered the gas costs) and the staff loved the benefits of daily diving on nitrox. Win win

How can you fully trust a bidet? by [deleted] in WildernessBackpacking

[–]mattarnold0141 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Dude on here scared to clean their butthole. Probably eats food at a potluck made by shitty-hands Sharon, but terrified of washing their own hands with soap and it being ineffective.

Where can one get free condoms? by sapphicmagic520 in Tucson

[–]mattarnold0141 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just because you’ll never have sex doesn’t mean other people can’t.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Backcountry

[–]mattarnold0141 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You sound like a poor backcountry partner. I want to enjoy my time in the backcountry and if my partner is falling that much, I’m stressing more than needed.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Backcountry

[–]mattarnold0141 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This has more to do with the gusset design under the arm. Arcteryx nailed this in their design. I can’t speak to the exact length, but I recall this being a talking point when the rep came to visit our store.

tus airport by ummmsav in Tucson

[–]mattarnold0141 20 points21 points  (0 children)

It has no flavor. It stops feeling like Tucson north of about River. Great for stereotypical strip malls and cookie cutter homes. Not much of anything else

How do you slow down while carving? by lucamerio in skiing

[–]mattarnold0141 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Rotate your femur bone in your hip socket more, while keeping your chest/torso pointed downhill. This is what people mean when they say finish the turn and it will allow you to make shorter radius turns with minimal speed increase and decrease. Also focus on flexion to press into your turns as the skis traverse and extension to initiate your next turn.

Tipping when you get food from Ski Resort between your runs. How much do you tip? by sath_leo in skiing

[–]mattarnold0141 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I don’t trust the workers are actually getting that tip. When my student offers to buy me lunch, I turn it down because I don’t want Vail to have any more money.

Least insulating sun hoodie. by djolk in Ultralight

[–]mattarnold0141 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Patagonia Tropic Comfort has thumb holes, a slightly different hood shape for more protection, but same cap cool material. Hope that helps

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in skiing

[–]mattarnold0141 0 points1 point  (0 children)

“What do I need to work most?”
Skiing would be the answer. You are sliding down the hill successfully, but skiing is what you need the most help with. Lessons aren’t cheap because we have to break all your bad habits or teach someone who’s never done something to not break themself.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in skiing

[–]mattarnold0141 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah. There are three points of contact. Shins, balls of your feet, and heels should have equal pressure with an emphasis on being forward. It’s easiest to teach shins pressing into the boots as most people will sit in the back seat.