Dive tally taking off...

Now that the ice has largely disappeared, and the Lake is bathed in Spring sunshine, there's really no excuse for not diving. Well, one maybe; the water temperature is still stubbornly stuck at 35℉ (2℃). Kevin and I didn't allow that to deter us from a dive at KPH. Entry was a breeze, though the water level is very low. As an illustration, a large, level area that you usually stand on, at waist depth, to take off fins, was now in water that just reached the lower calf. The dive, out to the STOP sign and then in an arc East and North, was a gentle one. No significant signs of life were seen, though Crayfish or Mudpuppy trails were evident in the silt.

This could be the last time...

You've dated yourself if you hear the Rolling Stones after you read the title to today's entry. It's appropriate though, because ice is encroaching quite quickly now on the shore dive entry points around the Lake. Todd and I had to crackle our way through a thin crust of light, transparent ice at KPH on entry, and larger areas of thicker ice were visible offshore. Our first choice of site, Portsmouth, where we'd like to have taken advantage of great visibility and the bright sunshine to photograph the wreck fragments, was already ice-locked.

With air temperatures of -11℃ (12℉), we did attract some curious looks from passers-by, some of whom even stopped to ask what we were doing - or should I make that "why?" The answer is that we just wanted to see what was going on underwater. And the answer was - not much. Besides a few stupefied, or half frozen, Gobies, there really wasn't much life around. Perhaps the fact that Todd's computer showed a minimum water temperature of 32℉ (0℃) had something to do with it. To be fair, at depth, the water was warmer; 34℉ (1℃). The time may fast be approaching where those of us with ice diving qualifications will be looking to exercise them. Which reminds me, must make sure the blade on my chainsaw is the right way round this year...

Oh what a night..!

It's not very often that the Lake is glassy calm, but it certainly was last night, when Todd and I jumped in at KPH. We'd expected good visibility and were rewarded with exactly that. The range was limited only by the reach of our lights. Was there much to see though, you ask..? Well, yes, some Bass, Perch and Mud Puppies - and the occasional Catfish (we were in the water quite early). The water temperature was the same 52℉ (11℃) we've been seeing for a few days now. The good news is that the weeds are definitely dying back. We spent about 45 minutes in the water, checking out a rumour passed by one of the local estate managers that a car might lie off the eastern end of the wharf, amongst other things. There was no car, but it was interesting to note how badly undermined that eastern wall of the dock is. The cavities extend more than a dozen feet in some places. The key message - don't park on the eastern side of the wharf - the pothole may be deeper than you think!

Earlier in the day, I had the pleasure of introducing a member of our sister Club, the Flying Frogmen in Trenton, to Morton's Wharf and the St Lawrence site. That too was a good dive, with moderate visibility. This is a great time of year to be in the water. It's not too desperately chilly yet, and the algae and particulates are settling out nicely.

Jesse joins the Rescuers...

Congratulations to Jesse! He completed the Rescue Course this evening in good conditions - and the approaching darkness. It's quite upsetting how quickly we get into night-time these days - and the worst is yet to come when the clocks go back an hour in November.

Jesse was assisted by Todd and both divers enjoyed water temps of about 54℉ (12℃). The good news was great visibility.

Navigation Station...

PADI have a monthly specialty they promote. It looks this week as if we have been having a special on Underwater Navigation. Today, I spent my third session in the water this week with students engaged in addressing navigation challenges. Paul, who is commencing his Advanced Open Water course was first to go. He did a great job in quite demanding conditions at KPH. Visibility can't have been more than about 15 feet, but he unerringly tackled some fairly testing tasks - controlling his buoyancy and demonstrating calm mastery of the environment. Todd, who was also in the water to gain experience and up his dive total (which is growing impressively quickly) then took on his second dive for the Navigation specialty. This required some long transits and dive site location and return exercises. He too did really well. Between the two divers, who supported each other admirably, we spent about 62 minutes in the 63℉ (17℃) water. All of us at one stage or another had an encounter with a massive Bass, which made a point of swimming up to investigate us, rather than the other way around. Todd performed a small act of kindness for a youngster as he made his exit. A little girl and her parents had come down to the shore to release what had been a pet turtle all Summer, but which needed to be released back into the wild. It was interesting to see it make its confident way out into the Lake. But, we all watched tensely as it appeared the local seagulls were showing an interest in it. Happily it survived - for now at least.

New students make the grade...

The Club gained several more certified divers at the weekend. Congratulations to all concerned. The pictures, taken after all training was completed, show them enjoying the sights and experiences offered by Brule Road. Added to exposure to rather more challenging conditions at Portsmouth Harbour and the Kingston Psych Hospital, the weekend's package was a very successful one. For those members who are still a little intimidated by temperatures in the Lake, it's well worth mentioning that the Quarry is 12℉ warmer - at 62℉ (17℃).

Psyched up for a dive...

So, what's better after a long day at work (or not, in my case) than a good dive in the Lake? That's clearly what Kevin, Gaetan, Philippe, Matt and I thought this evening. We made our way down to the Psychiatric Hospital (more correctly known nowadays as Providence Care Mental Health Services Facility, but it's still KPH to us). The Lake was relatively calm, the Sun was shining and the water looked inviting. Gaetan was even prepared to brave the chill in a wetsuit.

The dive was enjoyable. As we've noticed over the last week, the Lake is beginning to suffer from the effects of algae bloom. Visibility was down to a disappointing 20 feet or so. The water temperature though, even at 50 feet, where we turned around, was still 50℉ (10℃). Sightings were limited to the Gobies and a few large Bass circulating near to the wharf. One very interesting feature of the dive was encountering a good half Knot current flowing West to East. I guess that they are sending some water down to Montreal. That's not too surprising, the Lake is pretty high at the moment.

Because it's there....

What do you say when people ask you, slightly incredulously, why on Earth are you diving at this time of year? Well, the answer quite simply is, because we can. A passerby suggested this morning that it's just a matter of 'getting wet'; and they were quite right. Some of us just enjoy the challenge of Winter diving. There's also the possibility of enjoying a unique encounter. Not that we did today, but that's irrelevant. Coping with surf entries and exits is enjoyable in itself. Most people have heard the old saw, "Train Hard, Fight Easy'. Well, in a diving context, 'practice regularly to dive safely' might be substituted. The statistics are very clear. The majority of incidents involve divers who don't have the opportunity to practice regularly.

My enjoyment is only slightly eroded by a persistent - and so far untraceable - leak in my drysuit. It's not enough to force me out of the water while it benefits from professional inspection and repair by the manufacturer, but it's certainly irritating. A fact which my dive buddies, who hear me grumble about it, will readily attest to. Oh well, I think I'll make it a New Year's resolution to send it away and address the problem. But how will I survive in its absence?

I should record my appreciation of the sacrifice others are making to be my dive buddies while I satisfy my strange obsession... I really do feel very grateful to them.

Another diver advances...

Mario is entitled to look pleased with life. He completed his Advanced Open Water certification today with a Search and Recovery adventure at the KPH site. Conditions couldn't really have been better. The Sun was shining brightly, air temperatures were above freezing (but not much at 4℃) and the visibility was outstanding at roughly 50 feet. The exertions of executing search patterns and other tasks ensured that the water, cool at 51℉ (11℃), didn't have too chilling an effect. All in all, a very successful final qualification dive and a pleasant experience for all concerned. Well done, Mario....

Cory completes certification in style...

Completing the course that began three weeks ago, Cory enjoyed near perfect conditions for his last two open water dives. He made it out to the KGH wreck in good form and then moved down to the Psych Hospital for a shallower dive to round off his training. It's been great to work with him and he's going to be a great addition to the Club. He's keen to get more dives in this season, so keep him in mind when you're planning outings, please.

Ain't Vacation grand ?

Kim and Scott were caught at KPH breaking in his new (and very good looking) drysuit, something that wouldn't normally be possible, but both are on vacation right now, and they know what to do with holiday time.. Conditions couldn't have been calmer, but I wasn't able to stay and get the post-dive report. Hopefully, they enjoyed a close encounter with the very large Sheepshead that's been haunting the rocks on the ascent and exit point...

Sunshine and Smiles...

The three divers enrolled in the Advanced Open Water course this weekend show obvious enthusiasm for their work as they soak up sunshine at KPH after completing Underwater Navigation and Search and Recovery Adventures this morning. Anthea, Ashley and Verena, who had been joined for the first dive by Neil and Theresa, did really well and appreciated a water temperature of 68℉ (20℃). The minor downside to the day was visibility much degraded by algae and other suspended particles. Optimistically, you could only claim about 20 feet. The training continues this evening with a night dive - and the course will be concluded tomorrow evening with a Deep Adventure on the Munson...

Ain't Raining? Still Training...

A series of three days with students culminated this morning with certification of Eric, a student who had (wisely?) elected to postpone his Open Water dives after completing pool training last Winter. Two dips in the Quarry yesterday were quickly followed up today with immersions at KPH and Morton's Wharf. While the fish life was fascinating - and included encounters with large Freshwater Drum in both locations - the visibility was less impressive at about 20 feet. Water temperature of 68F (20C) made up for much though. The topsides weather was outstanding - and here's a top tip - there is abundant shade at Morton's in which to park and get dressed...
Couldn't help but think what a great day our buddies must be having on the two tanker out of Caigers. Really looking forward to this evening's report...

sunny day behind the KPH

Four of made for the KPH today. we spent roughly one hour in the water touring the area and getting to the end of the pipe. We noticed some decent size fish and other trinkets on the way back. The max depth that we got on our tour was 60ft. The water is really warming up as we had it at 59f/15c. I can say if you are diving wet and have not got in the lake you are missing some great diving.

A dry Whites

With the nice weather today not many would think of diving in a dry suit. That being said about 20 club members took advantage of diving in new Whites dry suits. There were a few first time dry suit divers who enjoyed diving with out getting totally wet. Generally groups of four went out to the stop sign and back in about 35mins. The visibility was good considering all the divers in the water. I have to say that I was impressed with the fusion dry suit. It is a great suit that does not require a lot of extra thought. The water temperature was 46F/8C but I felt very warm in the dry suit. The max depth that we obtained was in the area of 50 ft. I must say it was great to see so many people from the club out and diving and a thanks needs to go to Adam for organizing the rep to come down and to the Whites rep for taking time out of his schedule to see us.

Five Newly Certified Divers...

It's always a delight to see new divers join the throng. Today, another five were certified. Congratulations certainly go to Clarissa, Laura, Theresa, Jayasimha and Walter on strong performance in cold conditions. I wonder when the Club last saw wetsuited divers qualify in Open Water as early as mid May...

Dives were completed at the Kingston Psychiatric Hospital shore site and Portsmouth Harbour. Both proved suitable for training, but the conditions at the former site were chilly - at 41F (6C). It was a delightful surprise to find that strong sunshine and shallow water permitted the final dive to take place in water that had reached 45F (7C).

I'm sure that all the Club's members join me in wishing the new divers well in their future dive adventures.

Many thanks are owed to Geoff and Chris Columbus, whose help made a considerable difference to managing this Open Water weekend.

The ice is encroaching steadily...

I did a little circuit of popular Kingston shore sites this morning and can report the following:

Deadman's Bay is completely iced in, with snow cover on the surface.

There is a small amount of open water around the pier at RMC, but access would be challenging - and egress even more so, perhaps..

The Alexander Henry basin is thinly iced, but sufficient to make entry and exit impossible - ditto the adjacent bay.

The Yacht Club beach is thinly iced - but enough to thwart divers, I believe.

Portsmouth has open stretches, with an abundance of ducks making the most of them. Entry would be possible. The ice that's present is only about a 1/4" thick.

The same detail applies to KPH, where limited entry options give way to thin ice cover - that could be broken through, or broken up, if necessary