I thumbed a dive.

[Linedog]

While in Maui a few weeks ago, my wife, 17 year old son and I went to 5 graves to do our last dive of the trip. We had gone there the previous day at about 2 PM and the water was fine. We arrived at 9 the next morning and the water was a bit crappy, plus it was getting worse. Now our 17 year old has no fear and was ready to dive I probably could have pulled it off however my wife said it was really border line for her. I called it as I don't think once in the water I could have been a good enough buddy for her plus keep a leash on our son. Last dive of the trip, disappointed our son and I feel like a heel. I know it was the right thing as I only have about 25 dives our son has 2 and my wife has about 20. Sorry just venting I feel better now.

[Tom Nic]

Any time. Any reason. No repercussions.

Never forget it.

And good job on the call.

[dwashbur]

Wise move. If any member of the group isn't comfortable, that's the best thing to do. Any diver, any time, any reason or no definable reason. There's always another day and another place to dive. Thumbing a dive is pretty much never the wrong decision. I dive with my wife and daughter, and I'd have done the same thing.

[nwbobber]

You showed good judgement -and- you were a good example for your son.

[no excuses]

You showed good judgement -and- you were a good example for your son.

He might not think so now but he will know it some day

[nwscubamom]

EXCELLENT judgment! That site can get really dicey, and the entry/exit is not fun. We ran into problems once there, and got a bit scraped up on the lava rock getting out. (that is, once we were even able to FIND the exit area from the water) That was the site I learned the VERY important lesson of turning around and picking out some landmarks on shore to help you coming back in - you don't realize how it all looks the same once you're out there and finding that ONE little teeny cove to exit your dive is like finding a needle in a haystack when viewing it from the opposite direction.

I remember once, early in my diving days, when I was hesitant to thumb a dive because I felt like a wuss and didn't want to let my buddies down. Thankfully one of the other divers picked up on my concern and thumbed it for us - claiming HE wasn't comfortable with it. I know he did it on my behalf however, and I haven't been afraid to thumb a dive ever since.

So yeah, important lesson that both your wife and your son will have learned from your wise and courageous move. AND you...hopefully what we're all saying here reinforce how important it is to have done what you did.

Well done!

- Janna

[LCF]

EXCELLENT call. Surf entries and exits are challenges, especially for those of us who typically dive the placid Sound -- and just because the surf is doable when you get in, doesn't mean it can't be a lot worse when you get out! (I actually have experience with that at Ulua Beach, where we had to get out at the next beach up because of current, and then got our butts handed to us by the surf.)

Calling a dive is almost never easy, and the ones I've called on conditions, I've always second-guessed myself on. But in the end, the fact that you come back, unharmed and not frightened, to dive another day -- that's the important thing.

[Waynne Fowler]

That was the site I learned the VERY important lesson
of turning around and picking out some landmarks on
shore to help you coming back in - you don't realize
how it all looks the same once you're out there and
finding that ONE little teeny cove to exit your dive is
like finding a needle in a haystack when viewing it from
the opposite direction.
- Janna

That site LOVE's to teach that lesson! I had a very, very similer
experience there.

You made the right call. Don't second guess yourself as it may
Make you reluctant to make that same call in the future.
You were right.... Period...

[Linedog]

Thanks all, I feel better.

[scottsax]

My girlfriend and I dove 5 Graves on a relatively calm day, and the exit was still WAY more exciting than the worst Puget Sound day I've had. You did good, calling it.

[kagey747]

"If there's ANY question, there's NO question. Don't go." Words from an early mentor. Kept me alive, so far.

[Tom Nic]

I love not only the general responses, - "Thumbing a dive for any reason, no repercussions." But also the specific responses with regard to people who know the specific dive site the OP referenced.

NWDC Rocks!