Welcome to NCKA Phil.  Lots of divers here too, and I am sure they will chime in.

Careful with your thread titles.  they don't call him "Big Jim" for nothing!
Bouché

 

You might have better luck on NorCal Underwater Hunters
Lots of crossover members from this forum.

I took a course with Bamboo Reef San Francisco around this time last year, with the owner Brian. 

I believe Rebekah Philips still teaches free diving SS1 class in Monterey Bay. 

I agree with the post earlier in the thread--it's a good idea to make yourself comfortable in the pool first, so that your first experience with diving in the ocean is safe and enjoyable.  Without testing your equipment in pool, you wouldn't even know how much weight to carry. 

Good luck and dive safe!

Thanks guys. Freedive shop didn't have any info on classes. I also called a place in south sf(Bamboo curtain I think) nada there either. If anyone knows of classes, let me know....

Just called sonoma coast divers, and they have a class in april at van damm. Stoked! Thanks guys.

Well this sounds interesting. I’ve been threatening to take up diving. I’ll look into this class too.

Hey Man, sorry to come late to the game, I was diving in Hawaii 

I second Antonio's (Cabeza de Martillo) encouragement to take a class. Free diving is pretty dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Safety should be of utmost importance in this regard. I was diving for almost a decade before I took a class and I can't tell you how valuable it was to me. Made me a significantly safer and better diver (thanks to Rebekah - her info is below - I'm now diving in the triple digit range).

Hit up Rebekah. She is a STUD and not only is a PFI but also Level 2 Malchonov instructor (she first to offer it in USA). She is also a judge at the CMAS World Championships and various other international freedive competitions as well as the official instructor of Monterey Bay Tritons Spearfishing Club.

https://www.facebook.com/MBAYFreediving/
Call (831) 200-3485
contact@mbayfreediving.com

Just a side note, I'd advise you not pick your trainer based on price, but on pedigree. Anyone can teach the basics, but only great teachers can really tailor their teaching to you specifically.

For gear, Jason at the freedive shop should be able to help you out. Otherwise, hit up Parviz (Red Triangle Spearfishing) if you're up north and if you're down in Monterey, Bamboo Reef has a ton of dive gear and most of their team is very knowledgeable when it comes to spearfishing spots, techniques, etc. Rebekah used to work there too.

If you have any additional questions, please let me know.

Also, I live in Pacific Grove (Monterey area) and dive a lot down here. Happy to have you along if you can make it down.

Thanks Keeneroo,

I actually just got off the phone with Rebekah, she is super chill and.im totally going to take her 2 day class. Just have to pick a date....thinking of going 2 weekends from now [which is her next class]. Cant wait, hope the weather and viz are good!

I’m going to be later on the bus than 2 weeks  so I won’t join you on that one, but I have joined the spearfishing forum and am trying to learn as much as I can from there before taking a class. I love the idea of a 2 day class, I’ll have to make a weekend of it and get a hotel down there. Thinking when it’s fishing season and I can get some rod and reel fishing in too while I’m there.