Taking a break from studying, I read two stories on SF Gate. The first was on the rising popularity of Orienteering in the San Francisco Bay area. Orienteering is basically competitive reading of maps and hunting for items in the field based on the maps provided.

The second article was on the upswing in scuba divers in the area, due in part to new, safer equipment, and more training programs. It mentioned that among other things, every diver should have an underwater compass.

So hit me over the head with the 'obvious stick' but I'd love to know if folks have tried underwater orienteering. It sounds like it would be a real blast, and a real challenge, although the nature of the competition would have to be changed somewhat, because the last thing you want to do while scuba diving is to try and rush things. Still, exploring reefs and other underwater formations, looking for planted relics could be very cool.

Another thing that goes hand in hand with both of these is Geocaching, or planting of boxes with rubber stams and lists inside, and advertising the location of the boxes via precise Latitude and Lognitude coordinates, or by waypoints and clues. Sounds like maybe the three of these could be combined somehow.

Anyone know if GPS devices work underwater?