A Taste of True Ice Diving

Well it's that time of year for those who didn't travel south, take up Ice Diving. You can only dive Upper Brewers Mills so many times before you succumb to Lake Ontario's beckoning. This past weekend, a few of us had to venture into old territory well new in some aspects, as the photos will prove. (courtesy of Mike)

The weekend started with a dive Saturday morning at the Marine Museum. Once we had a hole made, we geared up and went under the Ice. We were all pleasantly surprised at just how great the Vis really was.

I would have to say we were looking at 100 ft of Vis. We used a cave line anchored at the hole and went on our dive.

Sunday's dive turned out to be a repeat of the Saturdays dive. With the exception of Mike bringing out his camera and expertise. He has proven once again that a tripod is worth its weight in gold. Proving a small aperture with a slow shutter speed gives you the best shot, but a tripod is a must.

The only exception was, Sunday seemed to be a little cooler than the previous day. The water temperature in the lake was definitely the coldest dive to date that I have ever dove. A cool 32 f. that's right, FREEZING cold. A point to consider here. An environmentally sealed and balanced 1st stage regulator is a very wise choice. All in all, the weekend of ice diving was an enjoyable weekend. The Marine Museum never looked so good.

Ice Diving!! Oh Yeah!!!!

Well, I say if you can't get into the water, via shore entry or by boat charter, because it's winter and someone??? (Mother Nature) likes to play a joke and ice over the lakes on you. Well then "GO THROUGH THE ICE"..... That is what a few of us did yesterday. In preparation for the up coming course a few of us decided to check out the ice and while we were at it see what the vis was. To every ones surprise we had close to 80 ft if vis. Better that what any of us were thinking due to the lime normally found in the water.

After a 32 minute bottom time, we turned the dive and headed back to the hole that would bring us to the surface. Water temperature at bottom was 39 f. Warmer, considering our last dive on in the lake, prior to the ice forming was 33 f. Nice to dive again in warmer waters, lol.... We were greeted under water by large schools of Gold Fish. A rare species of fish we seldom encounter in waters around here, being so far north of the equator...

We must extend a thank you to all, for your efforts in support of our endeavour. To Chris for opening up the Quarry for us, and allowing us to run our ice course here in two weeks. As well a big thanks for the great assistance from Dave our on scene manager, Gaetan and Steve for the above ice photography, and Ken who assisted with everything else. I believe all had a great time, above, as well, as us fortunate below the ice....

Mike's First Doubles Dive

As the winter has set in, Mike Hill and I had to go for a dive. With the Lake Ice formed and not many places to find open water he headed for Upper Brewers Mills, on the Rideau River. Today would prove to be a day of firsts. Mike's debut in diving with a set of doubles, and my first time at Upper Brewers Mills. The water was a cool refreshing 36F with a vis of 15 to 20 ft. with a mild to medium current, what more could two divers ask for. Mike proved that diving doubles is the way to go, judging by the smiles after the dive no difficulties were found. We went around the bowl 3 times observing crayfish and fingerling Walleye's. Ending the dive with a bottom time of 31 min and two divers happy to get in the water once again...

Another Club Friday Night Charter Rocks!!!!!

Tonight, some of the club's Executive members,Gaetan, Kevin, Matt and myself with Marc-Etienne took advantage of another Wednesday night cancellation /reschedule to a Friday night club dive. The pick for this week was the George A. Marsh. She is always a real treat to dive on. A 1800's built 3 masted schooner in very good shape. Tonight we had a chance to take a very close and detailed look of her, from bow to stern. With a bottom time of 47 minutes (Eanx 32) a bottom temp. of 48 f, and vis around 40 ft. This is a dive that must be given the opportunity to be logged in ever diver's log book. I am always in

awe when diving on this wreck, not just of her sheer size but of the history that comes with her. When diving on any of these great ships where lives were taken at the time of there fate. I always wonder just what kind of storm her crew were faced with, to sink something of such size. We couldn't begin to imagine battling waves 30 ft and greater or squall's that would appear as fast as they would diminish, which the great lake would put boats like the George A. Marsh to the challenge. Tonight fortunately the lake was good to us divers, we had little wind going out to the site, and the water was flat and calm. Another awesome dive, wow. The pictures again say it...

Ben braves the chilly waters...

Ben - who began his scuba training back in the Winter - made his first foray into the Lake yesterday. His confident look was an accurate predictor of sound performance on the first dive aimed at getting accustomed to the conditions. He saw the wreck fragments at Portsmouth, a large Carp and the anchors that lie just offshore. He had good company in the water. Todd, Dan, Josée, Gaétan, and visitor Kyle were all enjoying the almost Spring-like conditions. Most of them in sporty new DUI suits. Good day for the Club - and a good indication of the activity levels to be expected in the weeks ahead.

April Fools Dive 2010

The club lived up to the national standard today with a small but not planned chuckle. Never tell Gaetan where you are actualy diving, he might just forget anyways, and go where you were before. So after a small 30 minute delay as he drove from Brule Road Quarry to Mortons Wharf where the dive actualy was, the gang was ready to test out Josees new DUI suit. We would of said april fools to him, but Kevin did tell him Mortons Wharf. I'm just gonna put it down to old age. Soon we will have to trade Gaetan in for a younger more effeicent model with more hair on his head. JK bro we wouldnt have quite as much fun with the newer one.

While the Weather is pure summer fantastic, the water is still bitterly winter. Here we see Kevin and Josee practicing thier Kung Fu in thier new DUI drysuits, look how spry they appear as they wait for Mr "I forgot my fins" Grondin. 30 min, 25 feet, and 39F later we all came out dry and happy. The vis is anywhere from 20 to 40 feet even in the dark, despite my best efforts to kick up the bottom taking pictures.

Lots to see at the Wharf today:

A baby Northern Pike, Perch, Mudpubby salamander and the elusive April Fools Grondy!

Couple of points to note: 1. When doing a dive that is late in the day, take lights, you never know if your gonna need them.

2. The folks who are running the Brule Road Quarry dont appear to be answering the phone, as they likely are waiting for the real summer to arrive. Plan accordingly.

As allways "Dive with a Knife", and the pool is open see you in the drink soon!

Matt

Three Wise Men ... ?

Wise or not, they all enjoyed the opportunity to get wet this evening to christen Kevin's new DUI Drysuit. That's the handsome-looking grey topped one. Great to see divers in the water - and greater still to see the looks of sheer disbelief on the faces of passers-by as the divers emerge from the still frigid waters...

Todd goes to the DOGs...

So, Todd took delivery of his new DUI TLS 350 drysuit yesterday. It's a miracle he didn't insist on a night dive to christen it ! Anyhoo, this morning we made our way to KGH to hit the wreck offshore. Well, you couldn't put the first dive on a new drysuit in 12 feet of water now, could you ? The dive worked out really well. The suit performed flawlessly and the only adjustment necessary is going to be just a touch more weight. The outstanding package offered by James at NTD included full underwear set, pockets, reinforcements and other accessories, including hood and thermal socks. His special deals are going to be in force until early next year, so speak to the folks in Collins Bay soon, if you're interested in upgrading. Video of Todd going to the DOGs (DUI Owners' Group) is shown below. BTW - water temp was 37℉ (3℃) - and we had no difficulty managing 47 minutes underwater.

The line is intact and we cleaned it up. If you're going to dive the wreck, you should note that, about 2/3s of the way out something has caught the line and displaced it eastward. It still reaches the wreck, but arcs around to it now rather than making a straight line.