Ice Divers Make the Grade...

The very varied topside conditions over the weekend didn't create any significant challenges to successfully completing our annual ice diving course. The four divers pictured; Todd, Dan, Steve and Andrew all did well and gained a new appreciation for the discipline of diving under ice.

Well done to all of them, and many thanks to everyone who turned out to assist. At the risk of offending anyone else, I will single out Jim as the key supporting player over the weekend. He helped in every way possible. Many thanks too to Explorer Diving, caretakers of the dive site. They generously made the quarry available at no cost and Chris also assisted for much of the weekend.

There's a strong possibility, if everything comes together, that another course will be run next weekend. That's concrete evidence of the excitement being built, and maintained, in our Club. The dive season ahead promises to be a great one...

Labour Day classics

As I sit here watching the Argos lose yet another game this year on a glorious Labour Day classic with the Hamilton Tabby Cats I ponder: What is with the weather this year? I think a few meteoroligists are scratching thier heads with the whacky clouds we have seen this year, and perhaps a few are looking for new work! However the ominous start with rain on Saturday broke into sunny skies for the rest of the weekend and those of us who love the live aquatic were living the dream.

Sunday the folks from Explorer diver ran a charity dive in support of "Soldier On" down at the Pittsburg Quarry. They raised over $120 with just under a couple dozen divers from as far away as Ottawa and Trenton clubs. The warm water (70F at depth) meant that the vis had gotten a wee bit soupy (ok at one point I couldnt see my own feet) however those of us who like to practice navigation allways love a challange. Despite the algea we did find a full beer! Fancy that.

Mmmmm Beer:

Rick C trying to figure out how do I blow this up from here?

Geatan and Todd scoping out the entry stride in:

Good time had by all. The folks at Explorer diver set up a great BBQ after the dive as well. The Baloon exploding and bike race kinda never really went anywhere but Steve C is undaunted and promises to try again next year!

Labour day Monday offered up another day of good weather, and 4 of us got a quick dip over at the Murney Tower wreck near the Kingston General Hospital. Water was a bit murky till 30 feet but opened up to give 30 feet of vis. Once at the wreck you could easily see half the wreck once there. This 60ft deep dive is a long swim (at least 10-12 minutes one way) but worth the wait. Interestingly the mass of zebra mussels are almost half gone so far this year and you can see quite abit of the wood grain. I think the Sheepshead must have alot to do with this, and we saw one in the shallows right at the end of the dive.

Seen here is a shot of the back deck. Last year most of this was covered in mussels this year lots of exposed wood and the light green dots are the sponges:

As allways keep blowing bubbles!

Local Dive Centre backing 'Soldier On'...

Explorer Diving has announced that it will be running an event at the Highway 15 Quarry on Sunday, September 6th to benefit the Organisation Soldier On. Gates will open at 1030 and an admission fee of $5 will go directly to the charity. Proceeds from a barbecue, where basic fare will be available at reasonable cost, will also go directly to the Organisation.

To assist planning, if you intend to go along, please let them know by mailing them at Explorer Diving.

Non divers who might like to become divers should note that there will be an opportunity in the afternoon to undertake a try dive. Contact Explorer for more information.