The Low Down On Entries & Exits
By Icepick

Well there you are, standing there in a 7mm 'Gumby' suit with about 50 pounds of gear on your back, looking at the 3ft surf, wondering how you're going to get past the breakers before they knock you on your ass and put you through nature's spin cycle. In a word... timing.

Let's rewind a bit.

When you first arrive at a dive site your first thought may be to unload your gear or start gearing up. Nope. Just stop, look and absorb. Find a vantage point whether it's a point close to the beach that you can look down at it or just walking up to the water and look out at the surf. What you are trying to do is get a feel for the surf and the conditions. Try to note specific things like the region where the surf breaks, if there is a rip current, and where you plan to enter and exit. Both you and your partner should participate in this ritual. Talk to each other and decide where to enter, which way the current seems to be drifting and where to exit. Lastly, try to get a feel of the site; as divers one of the main reasons for going under is to observe the undersea world. This should also include the area where our world and the undersea world meet.

So now that you have an idea of the surf conditions and your entry point, its time to gear up. After you are both geared up (we always dive in teams right?) do a buddy check. You should check for:
- valve on first stage is open
- tank strap is on tight
- no leaks in the system
- purge the second stage and octopus
- computer is on
- BC is inflated

Now do a Sanity Check and see if they have:
- mask
- snorkel (very key piece of equipment for surf entries and exits)
- weights / weight belt
- fins (they should NOT be worn at this time!)
- full tank of air

You should also be familiar with how to ditch your partners weights and how to release their BC (most BC's now a days have quick releases, some more obvious than others, take the time to learn how to release them).

Fast forward back to the beginning.

…there you are, standing there in a 7mm 'Gumby' suit with about 50 pounds of gear on your back, looking at the 3ft surf, wondering how you're going to get past the breakers before they knock you on your ass and put you through nature's spin cycle.

It's all about the timing. Put your mask on and snorkel in your mouth and start walking into the surf, always looking out for the breaks. Stay a few feet away from your partner to avoid collisions in the water due to the surf. Call out the breaks to each other, this helps your partner in case he's busy fumbling with his gear and forgets to look up. If a wave looks like it's gonna crash on top of you, 'duck dive' under it (move forward and lower your body under the wave). Try never to end up directly under the crest of a crashing wave; it'll knock you on your ass.

Now comes the tricky part, when you can't touch the floor anymore its time to put on the fins. Watch the waves and find a lull between them. When the lull comes, slip on one of your fins. This is easily done by crossing one leg in a figure '4' over the other outstretched leg and pulling your fin on. Make sure the strap is snug. Wait for another lull and pull on the second fin. That's it! That's the hardest part. Now that you have propulsion, swim out of the break zone and meet up with your partner. Dive your dive plan.

Surf Exits
Alright then, you've just surfaced right were you wanted to be, the navigation was dead on. You're in a state of bliss cause you saw fishies everywhere, bugs in the rocks and the sexiest blonde mermaid this side of the Pacific. She really wanted you too! Alas, all things must end.

Ideally, you should be just outside of the surf zone. You should feel the swells rolling in under you but breaking a few yards ahead. If you aren't then you need to swim in more. At this point, take a breather and watch the waves; it's all about the timing. Once you and your buddy are rested, give each other some room and start swimming in, ideally on your backs, BC's inflated, snorkel in mouth and facing the open sea. Duck dive as needed. Swim in until your fins can just barely touch the floor. This is where you'll want to be to remove your fins. Watch for a lull in between breaks pull down the strap and pull a fin off. As soon as it's off, slip your arm through the strap until its resting in the creek of your elbow (this will keep you from loosing it in the surf). On the next lull do the same and remove the other fin. With both fins off you should still be facing the incoming waves.

Slip your hand into the foot pocket of one fin and then do the same for the other. You now have paddles! Paddle your way that next few feet until you can stand (aren't you glad you brought paddles?) At this point you should standing and facing the surf. Slowly walk BACKWARDS. This will allow you to brace for waves and to keep an eye on your buddy. Once you are at about knee high water you can turn around and walk normally (this will keep the honeys on the beach from thinking there's something wrong with ya). If your buddy is lagging, drop off your gear on the shore and go back in and help him outta his, its a lot easier to walk without all that extra weight.

How can you tell if you did a perfect exit? There should only be sand on your boots. That's right, if done properly your gear should be relatively squeaky clean.

Tips

1. Bring a snorkel; this is key for surf entry/exits (unless you like drinking a lot of seawater).

2. Bring a small loop of 5/50 para-cord and a carabineer for surf entries. Run the loop through the fin straps and clip it to your
BC. This will keep your hands free during entry.

3. Adjust your fin straps prior to entry then don't unclip or otherwise mess with them. Just pull the straps down past your heel to remove.

4. When putting on your fin in the surf fold the strap under the foot pocket, insert foot, then the pull strap over your heel (this is a LOT faster than messing with clips or adjusting straps underwater).

5. To removing your fins in the surf pull the strap down past your heel and pull the fin off. Quickly secure it either to the carabineer / para-cord loop or slip your arms through fin straps.

That's it boys and girls. Stay safe. Plan your dive then dive your plan.