Question for you Scuba guys - what are the determining factors in visibility? I always thought that in tropical waters, the high water temperature caused a "nutrient poor" environment, which caused a lack of plankton, etc, which caused the water to be so crystal clear. I thought that this is why water north of Florida was generally murky/low viz - because our waters are nutrient-rich.

But I was recently in California, where the water is freezing, much colder than ours - yet the water was crystal clear and people were snorkeling and Scuba diving all over the place. What's the deal?

Amen to HPYC's comment. I was a certified dive instructor a long time ago and it's dangerous if not done right. You can get an air embolism scuba diving in a pool simply by holding a full breath from the bottom of the pool at the deep end and not releasing that breath until you surface. In other words, you can die from just going up 10 feet while holding your breath. Given the high cost of equipment, the scarcity of pools around here and the risks involved, maybe JC should skip this sport...?

The challenge is that most diving in this area is pretty technical because of the cold water, low viz and depth of most interesting sites, like wrecks. A two hour intro might be good to get some people interested in getting certified but it won't be enough to get you into the water for real.

Scuba diving in the Hudson and the Morris Canal is great in September/October.

Michaelangelo Conte/The Jersey Journal

Jersey City is launching its first Scuba Program through the city Recreation Department and in conjunction with Hoboken Dive Center.

?We are working hard to diversify the recreational programming offered for our youth and adults,? said Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop. ?We have added boxing and now scuba diving and will soon be adding cricket and other sports and activities that not only reflect the diversity of our community, but that offer individuals with different talents and interests the opportunity to participate in an activity that interests them.?

Residents 12 years and older will be able to take a one-time, two-hour scuba diving course for a $10 fee. The sessions begin Sept. 10th and run through Oct. 31.

Pre-registration is required and enrollment is on a first come, first serve basis. Registration will be held through Sept. 9 from noon to 6 p.m. on weekdays at the Pershing Field Pool.

Classes for children ages 12 to 17 meet on Tuesdays and adult classes meet on Thursdays at the pool at 201 Central Avenue.

When registering, proof of residency is required and all participants must know how to swim. The $10 payment in the form of check or money order should be made payable to ?Jersey City Recreation/Scuba.?

For more information, call 201-547-6886.