Twice the fun...

Two dives today. The first was an attempt to re-locate the STOP sign from the old line to the Stacked Hulls. The intention was to put it at the edge of the second ledge that lies on the path followed by the new line. The only problem was that 100 lbs of lift didn't do the trick. So.... we moved up to the ledge and followed it from the old line to the new one - only about 5 minutes swim along. Then, we moved out along the new line. To our surprise and delight, we discovered that someone has 'jumped' the gap that had appeared last week. After a few minutes work to remove weeds, we headed back for Portsmouth, picking up the old line and following it in.

The second dive of the day was with Cory, a recently qualified diver, who has excellent skills. We parked below Queen's on Collingwood St and entered the water in the bay East of the PUC complex. Despite battling in the shallows with awful weed growth, we enjoyed a good swim around the wreck off the pier and along the breakwater below the far edge of the dock. Lots of fish were present, albeit in viz of only about 20'. The water temp for both dives is dropping away slowly - showing 66℉ (18℃).

Short sighted...?

After a week away on the water (sailing), last night was a first chance to get wet again. The site selected - as a proof of concept - was the wreck by the PUC Dock - from shore. Parking on Collingwood St (just beside Queen's Residences) it's a short walk across the green space to the shingle beach entry. The heading for the corner of the Dock is then 210° Mag. Be prepared for a shallow spell in thick weed for the first few minutes. Eventually, the bottom begins to fall away and at about 15 feet the dock side looms out of the murky water. A left turn then takes you straight to the wreck in about 22 feet of depth. Last night's viz was atrocious by our standards - something like 15 feet. Nevertheless, after a good mooch around the wreck, we indulged in a little light exploration of the slightly deeper water to the South, returning to the beach at around the one hour mark. The only thing seen of note was a huge Sheepshead, which kept appearing ghostlike from the gloom. Of course, in this location, it's always possible too to add to the Club's holding of golf balls. For the record - water temperature - 70°F (21°C).

Two more divers join the ranks of the certifiable...

Neil and Theresa completed Open Water certification this afternoon with a gentle dive on the wreck beside the PUC dock. Their tasks were all completed successfully and they emerged with huge smiles and plans to take full advantage of the Club's charter programme in the weeks ahead. It was their first experience of the Lake after spending time at Brule Road. A water temperature of 56°F (13°C) made wet suit diving perfectly comfortable. Congratulations to both of them on their tremendous enthusiasm throughout the course and good luck to them as they start the real learning process as newly certified divers.