Saturday was Ground Hog Day. Ground Hog said early spring. Now on top of that, they say that the groundhog has been correct only 40% of the time he predicts early spring… So, take his word for what it is worth. Ground Hog day is actually in February. Do you know what February equals here at Extreme Sports SCUBA… other than Extreme Dive Club (tomorrow, Thursday, February 7, 2019) … The Group Trip to Cozumel.
So, either the joke will be on you, you as in those headed to the land of warmth and water… or the joke will be on us… the ones who have to stay here in the bitter cold. We’ll see. Ground Hog, who will win? The Group Trip to Cozumel or the rest of us.
What to pack for the Group Trip to Cozumel?
Paperwork:
If you have never traveled to a foreign country, make sure you know what paperwork is required. For the Group Trip to Cozumel, you need a passport.
2 tips about your passport:
- If you’ve never had a passport, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get a passport. They say to allow yourself at least 3 months. There is a website that tells you everything you need to apply for a passport.
- Check the date on your passport. It needs to be valid. Don’t let it expire while you are on your trip. Double check the valid date at least 3 months in advance in case you need to renew your passport. Also, check with the countries policies, some countries say a passport can’t expire within X number of months of your trip so you can get in.
Credit/debit card:
- Check with your bank or credit card company. Make sure your card will work in the country you are traveling to.
- Let them know the dates that you will be out of the country so if random charges start showing up, they won’t be so quick to close the card for fraud.
- Have the number necessary to contact the card company in case your card does get shut down while you’re on vacation.
- And when all else fails, have a little cash on you. You never know when it will come in handy.
SCUBA Certification Cards:
- We all have those C-cards for a reason. It is to tell someone you are a certified SCUBA diver. Make sure you have that card with you so that they will allow you to dive.
- If you plan on diving Nitrox, you need that card as well.
- Register yourself through SDI so you can look up your c-cards in case you happen to get there without your card.
Clothing wise for February:
The Group Trip to Cozumel this month is going in February. In February you’ll pack differently than you will in the summer months. So how do you want to pack for February?
For the boat:
- Swimsuits. Don’t be that person who has to stand in their wetsuit because they forgot their swimsuit.
- A Towel. Just helps to dry off that water.
- A lightweight Jacket. When you get out of that water, even though the surface is warmer than home for sure, a lightweight jacket, one that dries quickly helps. When the boat is moving and you have damp skin, it is just nice to have that added heat/warmth.
- Sunscreen and/or a hat. You’re closer to the equator and you can/will get a suntan or even a sunburn while in Mexico. Best to be prepared.
- Flip Flops. While you may or may not wear shoes while on the dive boat unless you want to wear your dive boots to and from the hotel, a pair of quick-drying, slide shoes help.
For the rest of the trip:
- Shorts. This might be debatable if you ask Grady… haha… there’s a great story there. But, truthfully, shorts or even lightweight jeans. The thought you want to keep in mind is… packs easily, taking up the least amount of room.
- T-shirts. Again, maybe a debatable subject, but we’ll just run with it. Long sleeved t-shirts are always nice sometimes too. It’s not quite like packing for a day in Missouri weather, but it’s always best to be prepared.
- Comfortable shoes. At times there is a lot of walking. Why bring uncomfortable shoes, anywhere really?
And one thing to keep in mind, items don’t tend to dry as quickly in February.
Dive Equipment:
- Regulator
- Dive computer
- BC
- Wetsuit (appropriate for 79-81˚F water)
- Dive boots
- Fins
- Mask (an extra isn’t a bad idea)
- Save-a-dive kit
- Mesh bag (don’t take a large roller bag for dive boat)
- Dry bag (to keep your towel and jacket warm and dry as well as cell phone, money, room key, etc)
Now that you are packed and ready to go on the Group Trip to Cozumel, what are you waiting for?