ZoomGirl, don't blame you for being ticked off. I don't know who johne is, but it is obvious from the number of posts he has made that he is not one of the regulars.
The best person for you to contact goes by the name of BushBaby on the board. His real name is Grahame Bush. He has lived in Puerto Plata for many years, knows the city as well as anyone, and has been a big help to many other visitors like yourselves. Here is a link to one of the threads he started. Go there, click on the email button under his post, and send a message direct to him. I am sorry that I can't help you, but I live in Sosua and don't spend much time in Puerto Plata, even though it isn't that far.
I hope that when you visit you will take a day or two to visit Sosua and Cabarete. They aren't far.
Here is a link to a website on Puerto Plata. The info there may answer some of your questions about activities, etc, that are available. As far as swimming at Playa Dorada, I have never heard any complaints. Unless the sea is rough due to a winter storm in the US, it will probably be quite calm. If you want waves, then Cabarete is the place to go.
So contact BushBaby, and don't be put off by the wanna-be-clowns.
The missing link:
http://www.popreport.com/VisitorsGuide/