Need your own walking sticks and latex tubing? Walking sticks amzn.to/3Fa1ClR Latex tubing for tank straps amzn.to/3BLqs7C If you click one of these Amazon affiliate links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission. This helps support our channel. Thanks so much!
I'm 78 and been coming there since 2005. Sneak in down at the secret entrance to Small Wall..very slipppery. I think I will buy one, fold it, and somehow attach to belt. Your videos are so great! Also asked Al if he will let us use the Black Durgon entry..Bonaire has been discovered. I remember there were only 14,000 residents when we first bought property there..thanks very much for telling people to protect the beautiful sea and island..
I've been diving Bonaire since the 1990's. I love the area. Earlier this year, at age 73, I had a knee replacement....yep, one of those fun things. Naturally, with a 2021 trip booked, I had some concerns. My dive buddy found your site and promptly ordered a couple of the sticks. It's only been 4 months since the surgery, and this afternoon, we completed our 27th dive of this trip (another 10 days to go), the third of the day. The only "mishap" I had was when I did not take the stick, and wound up on my butt. No harm to vital areas or my knees. I use one of those attention-getting elastic tank knockers. Holds the stick with ease, and I can pull it out as I approach shore. My buddy has to put it in place when I'm using it to enter the water. As you know, there are few places that are really easy to enter, especially with wakes from boats coming in. Timing and my trusty stick are the keys. Raeford Brown
My wife and I are in St Croix and used our sticks today for the first time. Absolutely a great tip gives you just enough extra balance in rocky entrances . Thanks !!!!!
We’re so glad you find them helpful! Enjoy St. Croix. We had a great time diving there! Check out Ruki’s Roti food truck outside Frederiksted if you have a chance (and if it’s still there).
Awesome tip! We've been to Bonaire several times and the entries/exits can be treacherous. My husband saw your video before our trip last month and so I took one of my trekking poles and it was super helpful! I just wish I would have watched this particular video explaining which pole to use as my nice, foldable trekking pole is now full of seawater and it won't come out, so I'm sure it is ruined (better a ruined pole than a ruined knee or ankle!) I just ordered the one you suggested for next year's trip, and yes, different colors are different prices so thanks for the heads up on that. Thank-you for all this information it has been VERY helpful!
Rather than a throw away walking stick, how about a wading staff? Anglers who fish rocky streams by wading, usually trout or salmon fishermen, often use wading staffs if the bottom is slippery. Obviously, these are made to get wet. Just as obviously, these are not made for salt water. Not sure if you can get them with adjustable height. But they do come in both solid and collapsible versions. Before my last scheduled trip to Bonaire, I purchased the "Hammers Collapsible Wading Staff" on Amazon. I was all set to take it, but had an accident and had to cancel the trip. I'm guessing it would survive the salt water better than a walking stick with internal springs. But that's just a guess. Comes with a pouch, but your latex tubing idea would work well too.
Definitely, the folding wading/hiking poles work too. They’re a good choice for a solo diver. Some come with their own pouch that you can clip to a BC. Thanks for watching!
Hi Kevin, I bought a cane that breaks down into three parts and I simply tuck it under my BC belt strap..So easy. How often do you dive in Bonaire? I will be there Wednesday, my dive buddy (Ton VonEgmond) moved to Curacao. He dove daily so I always had a buddy. Do you have any recommendations?
According to Stinapa, it is NOT ALLOWED to dive with walking sticks. Ask Stinapa Bonaire directly, and they will tell you about the registrations on the island.
One of my dive buddies uses a Zeagle Ranger with 2 straps. He’s never complained of it being an issue with the latex tubing. We’re diving together next week. I’ll make sure to watch him set up his tank.
I watched my buddy numerous times last week. He had no issues with his double strap BCD. I don’t know if he loosens his straps for removal/attachment more than most people, but it appeared to slide right over the tanks and latex straps. Hope this helps!
Great question Patricia! I’m not sure I have an answer for you. Most folks are ok without scuba gear. I have horrible balance and I’m typically ok getting in and out at most sites without gear. Liz and I find widening our stance or using each other for assistance can help when we have no gear. If you really feel a stick will help, I recommend getting a folding trekking pole or cane that has its own pouch. You could then attach it to a weight belt (minus the weights if desired). I hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
Yes Chip. I recommended a folding trekking pole. They appear to come with a carrying pouch that you could clip to your BC. Here’s a link amzn.to/3lp38oJ
This has been a subject of debate for many years. They are not illegal. In addition I can find nowhere in their policies, nor can anyone else show me, where STINAPA forbids the use of sticks/canes/poles for entering and exiting the water at the shoreline. The use of the stick as a pointer or steadying mechanism DURING the dive is definitely prohibited. When using the stick to enter and exit the water at the shoreline, take care to only place the stick where you would otherwise place your feet. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
Need your own walking sticks and latex tubing? Walking sticks amzn.to/3Fa1ClR Latex tubing for tank straps amzn.to/3BLqs7C If you click one of these Amazon affiliate links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission. This helps support our channel. Thanks so much!
I'm 78 and been coming there since 2005. Sneak in down at the secret entrance to Small Wall..very slipppery. I think I will buy one, fold it, and somehow attach to belt. Your videos are so great! Also asked Al if he will let us use the Black Durgon entry..Bonaire has been discovered. I remember there were only 14,000 residents when we first bought property there..thanks very much for telling people to protect the beautiful sea and island..
I've been diving Bonaire since the 1990's. I love the area. Earlier this year, at age 73, I had a knee replacement....yep, one of those fun things. Naturally, with a 2021 trip booked, I had some concerns. My dive buddy found your site and promptly ordered a couple of the sticks. It's only been 4 months since the surgery, and this afternoon, we completed our 27th dive of this trip (another 10 days to go), the third of the day. The only "mishap" I had was when I did not take the stick, and wound up on my butt. No harm to vital areas or my knees.
I use one of those attention-getting elastic tank knockers. Holds the stick with ease, and I can pull it out as I approach shore. My buddy has to put it in place when I'm using it to enter the water. As you know, there are few places that are really easy to enter, especially with wakes from boats coming in. Timing and my trusty stick are the keys.
Raeford Brown
That’s great Raeford!
Thanks! We just got our sticks and tubing. Can't wait to try them out!
This has always been a concern and I've thought of doing this but you really convinced me! Great clear video!
My wife and I are in St Croix and used our sticks today for the first time. Absolutely a great tip gives you just enough extra balance in rocky entrances . Thanks !!!!!
We’re so glad you find them helpful! Enjoy St. Croix. We had a great time diving there! Check out Ruki’s Roti food truck outside Frederiksted if you have a chance (and if it’s still there).
Awesome tip! We've been to Bonaire several times and the entries/exits can be treacherous. My husband saw your video before our trip last month and so I took one of my trekking poles and it was super helpful! I just wish I would have watched this particular video explaining which pole to use as my nice, foldable trekking pole is now full of seawater and it won't come out, so I'm sure it is ruined (better a ruined pole than a ruined knee or ankle!) I just ordered the one you suggested for next year's trip, and yes, different colors are different prices so thanks for the heads up on that.
Thank-you for all this information it has been VERY helpful!
Thanks D!
Great tip. I have ordered a pair to use on St Croix this winter. Thanks love your videos
Rather than a throw away walking stick, how about a wading staff? Anglers who fish rocky streams by wading, usually trout or salmon fishermen, often use wading staffs if the bottom is slippery. Obviously, these are made to get wet. Just as obviously, these are not made for salt water. Not sure if you can get them with adjustable height. But they do come in both solid and collapsible versions. Before my last scheduled trip to Bonaire, I purchased the "Hammers Collapsible Wading Staff" on Amazon. I was all set to take it, but had an accident and had to cancel the trip. I'm guessing it would survive the salt water better than a walking stick with internal springs. But that's just a guess. Comes with a pouch, but your latex tubing idea would work well too.
Definitely, the folding wading/hiking poles work too. They’re a good choice for a solo diver. Some come with their own pouch that you can clip to a BC. Thanks for watching!
Hi Kevin, I bought a cane that breaks down into three parts and I simply tuck it under my BC belt strap..So easy. How often do you dive in Bonaire? I will be there Wednesday, my dive buddy (Ton VonEgmond) moved to Curacao. He dove daily so I always had a buddy. Do you have any recommendations?
Does the have type make a difference? Foam, rubber, cork?
We’ve always used the ones with foam grips, but I imagine it doesn’t make a difference. Thanks for watching Dean!
According to Stinapa, it is NOT ALLOWED to dive with walking sticks.
Ask Stinapa Bonaire directly, and they will tell you about the registrations on the island.
I would have liked to have seen how easy (or not) it is to slide a 2 strap BCD over these tubes after they were in place.
One of my dive buddies uses a Zeagle Ranger with 2 straps. He’s never complained of it being an issue with the latex tubing. We’re diving together next week. I’ll make sure to watch him set up his tank.
Thank you for your reply. I will watch for an update.
I watched my buddy numerous times last week. He had no issues with his double strap BCD. I don’t know if he loosens his straps for removal/attachment more than most people, but it appeared to slide right over the tanks and latex straps. Hope this helps!
If you are just snorkeling where can you carry the stick??
Great question Patricia! I’m not sure I have an answer for you. Most folks are ok without scuba gear. I have horrible balance and I’m typically ok getting in and out at most sites without gear. Liz and I find widening our stance or using each other for assistance can help when we have no gear. If you really feel a stick will help, I recommend getting a folding trekking pole or cane that has its own pouch. You could then attach it to a weight belt (minus the weights if desired). I hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
I took a solo diver course (on Bonaire). Any thoughts on stowing a walking stick for a solo diver?
Yes Chip. I recommended a folding trekking pole. They appear to come with a carrying pouch that you could clip to your BC. Here’s a link amzn.to/3lp38oJ
@@KevinandLizGrogan thanks! Ordered.
Ton told me walkng sticks/ canes arr not legal/approved by STinapa (I guess) on bonaire
This has been a subject of debate for many years. They are not illegal. In addition I can find nowhere in their policies, nor can anyone else show me, where STINAPA forbids the use of sticks/canes/poles for entering and exiting the water at the shoreline. The use of the stick as a pointer or steadying mechanism DURING the dive is definitely prohibited. When using the stick to enter and exit the water at the shoreline, take care to only place the stick where you would otherwise place your feet. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching!