Some ideas for club dives to be discussed at the next meeting
My thoughts in proposing these dives is to provide affordable, practical (timewise) events for the average club diver. Those who attend should come away with an overall general experience of diving in British Columbia and the Pacific North West. These are presented in no particular order.
Porteau Cove, Howe Sound.
A popular local ocean dive site that offers something of interest for divers of all experience range. There are good washroom/change facilities, outdoor gear showers and parking. Three wrecks and an assortment of artificial reef material lay in 40-50' of water and one wreck, the Nakaya, lies just outside the boundaries at aprox. 100'. A great place to have an "on site" photo contest.
OW/AOW.
Deception Pass Washington USA
More information to come. Drift dive with live boat. March 17, 2012. Level: AOW.
Buntzen Lake (North and South beaches), Belcarra.
An Oligotrophic lake that usually offers the best freshwater vis in the lower mainland, Buntzen is a great place to practice skills and just get wet. We could combine dives in both locations so divers get a good feel for the entire locale or just stick to the south beach and have fun. Good washrooms and parking.
OW/AOW.
Edmonds or Keystone, Washington state.
Two ocean dive sites south of the border that offer different things. Keystone is a current sensitive site that has a large amount of life (perhaps the most for a local shore dive) while Edmonds is shallower, not current dependant and contains the largest attempt at artificial reef building in the region. Both sites have washrooms/changerooms and parking.
Keystone AOW (or OW depending on the current).
Edmonds OW.
Tuwanek, Sechelt Peninsula.
A day trip across the Langdale ferry, Tuwanek offers two dives around the Islets with a good variety of life (wolfeels, octo's etc...). Not current sensitive and with better vis than the Howe Sound (usually). Limited parking (carpooling) and primitive toilets but a nice quite setting.
OW/AOW.
The Titan Missile Silo's, Washington state.
Located about 5 hours south east of us, these missile silo's offer the diver a unique opportunity to do a deep, dark manmade dive. While not technically an overhead environment, the dive is considered AOW. Bottoming out at 110' the tour cost is $145 for a two tank day (plus our own travel expenses). The link is here: http://www.underseaadventures.net/silo.htm
AOW. May 26/27 2012.
Pavillion Lake/Kelly lake, Cache Creek.
Although we've been there before Pavillion still offers the best freshwater vis around, microbiolites and lush aquatic plants - combined with a workable, affordable campsite. Kelly lake is 30km's to the northwest of Pavillion and offers a second microbiolite rich site for those who want to branch out a bit.
OW/AOW. September 8/9 2012.
HMCS Saskatchewan/Nanaimo wreck sites.
A day ferry trip across the water that club members have always enjoyed in the past. There are a number of artificial reefs that we can dive to get the real feel of wreck diving. Costs vary depending on charter, ferry and carpool costs.
AOW. Dec 4, 2011 and January 29, 2012.
The Breakwater/Ogden Point, Victoria Harbour.
The most popular dive site in British Columbia, the breakwater even has its own dive shop! Divers can walk out along the seawall as far as they want to go for depth or swim right from shore. Lot's of life and kelp at the right time of year. Another day ferry trip or perhaps a weekender with spouses etc... if combined with some other sites or activities.
OW/AOW. June 9/10, 2012.
Bedwell Bay, Indian Arm.
This shore dive site offers (Kerry) the opportunity to try and find two wrecks, the VT-100 and the Bedwell Bay mystery wreck. While depths are only 70-80' max., bad vis and a risk of overhead traffic makes this a challenging dive to do and wrecks hard to find.
AOW.
Gardner Park, Bowen Island.
A small ferry ride let's divers explore some sites a little off the beaten path and get a break from the mainland. Combined with an alfalfa sprout sandwiche this makes for a pleasant little day trip.
OW/AOW.
Clear Lake, Oregon.
Located in south central Oregon, Crater lake is one of the dive sites I am considering travelling to for the summer of 2012 and would make it a club event if others were interested. Formed in the Caldera of a collapsed volcano and having an average vis of 80-115'.
AOW.
Kyle also has dive ideas for consideration and Michel has his tropical destination dive to the Sea of Cortez planned.
As well as these dive trips I also thought it might be worthwhile to pursue several "dry" trips including such things as a trip to the Maritime Museum (with a tour of the Ben Franklin), the VGH Hyperbaric chamber and the Tacoma Dive and Travel Expo.
See you at the next meeting :)
Dale
Porteau Cove, Howe Sound.
A popular local ocean dive site that offers something of interest for divers of all experience range. There are good washroom/change facilities, outdoor gear showers and parking. Three wrecks and an assortment of artificial reef material lay in 40-50' of water and one wreck, the Nakaya, lies just outside the boundaries at aprox. 100'. A great place to have an "on site" photo contest.
OW/AOW.
Deception Pass Washington USA
More information to come. Drift dive with live boat. March 17, 2012. Level: AOW.
Buntzen Lake (North and South beaches), Belcarra.
An Oligotrophic lake that usually offers the best freshwater vis in the lower mainland, Buntzen is a great place to practice skills and just get wet. We could combine dives in both locations so divers get a good feel for the entire locale or just stick to the south beach and have fun. Good washrooms and parking.
OW/AOW.
Edmonds or Keystone, Washington state.
Two ocean dive sites south of the border that offer different things. Keystone is a current sensitive site that has a large amount of life (perhaps the most for a local shore dive) while Edmonds is shallower, not current dependant and contains the largest attempt at artificial reef building in the region. Both sites have washrooms/changerooms and parking.
Keystone AOW (or OW depending on the current).
Edmonds OW.
Tuwanek, Sechelt Peninsula.
A day trip across the Langdale ferry, Tuwanek offers two dives around the Islets with a good variety of life (wolfeels, octo's etc...). Not current sensitive and with better vis than the Howe Sound (usually). Limited parking (carpooling) and primitive toilets but a nice quite setting.
OW/AOW.
The Titan Missile Silo's, Washington state.
Located about 5 hours south east of us, these missile silo's offer the diver a unique opportunity to do a deep, dark manmade dive. While not technically an overhead environment, the dive is considered AOW. Bottoming out at 110' the tour cost is $145 for a two tank day (plus our own travel expenses). The link is here: http://www.underseaadventures.net/silo.htm
AOW. May 26/27 2012.
Pavillion Lake/Kelly lake, Cache Creek.
Although we've been there before Pavillion still offers the best freshwater vis around, microbiolites and lush aquatic plants - combined with a workable, affordable campsite. Kelly lake is 30km's to the northwest of Pavillion and offers a second microbiolite rich site for those who want to branch out a bit.
OW/AOW. September 8/9 2012.
HMCS Saskatchewan/Nanaimo wreck sites.
A day ferry trip across the water that club members have always enjoyed in the past. There are a number of artificial reefs that we can dive to get the real feel of wreck diving. Costs vary depending on charter, ferry and carpool costs.
AOW. Dec 4, 2011 and January 29, 2012.
The Breakwater/Ogden Point, Victoria Harbour.
The most popular dive site in British Columbia, the breakwater even has its own dive shop! Divers can walk out along the seawall as far as they want to go for depth or swim right from shore. Lot's of life and kelp at the right time of year. Another day ferry trip or perhaps a weekender with spouses etc... if combined with some other sites or activities.
OW/AOW. June 9/10, 2012.
Bedwell Bay, Indian Arm.
This shore dive site offers (Kerry) the opportunity to try and find two wrecks, the VT-100 and the Bedwell Bay mystery wreck. While depths are only 70-80' max., bad vis and a risk of overhead traffic makes this a challenging dive to do and wrecks hard to find.
AOW.
Gardner Park, Bowen Island.
A small ferry ride let's divers explore some sites a little off the beaten path and get a break from the mainland. Combined with an alfalfa sprout sandwiche this makes for a pleasant little day trip.
OW/AOW.
Clear Lake, Oregon.
Located in south central Oregon, Crater lake is one of the dive sites I am considering travelling to for the summer of 2012 and would make it a club event if others were interested. Formed in the Caldera of a collapsed volcano and having an average vis of 80-115'.
AOW.
Kyle also has dive ideas for consideration and Michel has his tropical destination dive to the Sea of Cortez planned.
As well as these dive trips I also thought it might be worthwhile to pursue several "dry" trips including such things as a trip to the Maritime Museum (with a tour of the Ben Franklin), the VGH Hyperbaric chamber and the Tacoma Dive and Travel Expo.
See you at the next meeting :)
Dale