Finally Swimming
August 2nd, 2005, 12:44 PM
Hey all...here's a report about my first salt-water experience.
Lyle (M&P+4) and I left Friday (July 29, 2005) morning from Minneapolis for Tampa. We spent the night at a friend's mom's house. We had a dive boat trip through Narcosis Scuba in Tarpon Springs for Sat afternoon, so we just hung out until then.
Day 1: Sat was a beautiful day and I made sure to take a Dramamine since I had never been out on a boat like this before. The Narcosis II is a 35 ft boat and they only take out 6 divers at a time. We only had 5. We had 2 dives planned going out. We saw some dolphins on our way out, which I hoped was a good sign. We first went out about 28 miles out to dive a tugboat wreck. The whole way out, we saw floating Puffer fish and even some big Jewfish. The Red Tide was really taking it's toll on the Gulf. Unfortunately, I was fine until we set anchor and then I got a little seasick. Since I wasn't feeling well, the next thing I knew I was in the water so I didn't get sick again. It was a little unnerving; since everyone else had to get there stuff on yet. The DM said to go to the line and go down 10 feet and wait, so I swam over to the line but waited for our friend Dave (the next one in the water) to get over there before going down the line. We started down and saw some Barracuda at around 45 feet and the next thing I knew we were at the wreck at 77 feet. The vis was not so good but the water temp was 88 degrees at the wreck, very NICE!! It was a little eerie watching the shapes and shadows swim around, but very exciting doing this dive. It was a small wreck and we saw many fish, Barracuda, Remora, Jewfish and others. I was very psyched at the end of this dive and looked forward to the next site. We went in a few miles to a place they call Dolphin Ledge. (I got sick again... whoopee!) Unfortunately, when the DM came back from trying to set the anchor, he recommended not diving this site. The water really stunk and there was nothing living at the site. Everything was dead and he was worried about swimming in it. There was not any alternatives, so we came back early. I think I slept the whole way back leaned up against the BC's and tanks. It was disappointing, but we still a great time at the first dive.
Day 2: We were up early to get to CrystalRiver early. We were there just before they opened up. We set out for King Springs first and saw the cave and the plaque to the Manatees. The vis was 15-20 outside of the spring and unlimited inside. We also dove the Three Sisters and Magnolia Springs. The water was 73 degrees and vis was good, at least until we got there . Thankfully, it cleans out quickly. We brought home some shells for the kids and had some fun finding crabs. The current going to Three Sisters was hardly there, so that was not a problem. By the time we finished, we were swimming under so many snorklers, I couldn't believe how it filled up. I'm glad we were there early!
Since this was a quick weekend dive, that was it for the diving for us. We flew back on Monday and rounded up our kids and the dog from where we had 'farmed' them out. I had a GREAT time and can't wait to dive the warmer water again. I'm really glad this was not my first experience with diving, I wouldn't want to ever hit these cold lakes again. Now, I have something to look forward to in the coming years.
Lyle (M&P+4) and I left Friday (July 29, 2005) morning from Minneapolis for Tampa. We spent the night at a friend's mom's house. We had a dive boat trip through Narcosis Scuba in Tarpon Springs for Sat afternoon, so we just hung out until then.
Day 1: Sat was a beautiful day and I made sure to take a Dramamine since I had never been out on a boat like this before. The Narcosis II is a 35 ft boat and they only take out 6 divers at a time. We only had 5. We had 2 dives planned going out. We saw some dolphins on our way out, which I hoped was a good sign. We first went out about 28 miles out to dive a tugboat wreck. The whole way out, we saw floating Puffer fish and even some big Jewfish. The Red Tide was really taking it's toll on the Gulf. Unfortunately, I was fine until we set anchor and then I got a little seasick. Since I wasn't feeling well, the next thing I knew I was in the water so I didn't get sick again. It was a little unnerving; since everyone else had to get there stuff on yet. The DM said to go to the line and go down 10 feet and wait, so I swam over to the line but waited for our friend Dave (the next one in the water) to get over there before going down the line. We started down and saw some Barracuda at around 45 feet and the next thing I knew we were at the wreck at 77 feet. The vis was not so good but the water temp was 88 degrees at the wreck, very NICE!! It was a little eerie watching the shapes and shadows swim around, but very exciting doing this dive. It was a small wreck and we saw many fish, Barracuda, Remora, Jewfish and others. I was very psyched at the end of this dive and looked forward to the next site. We went in a few miles to a place they call Dolphin Ledge. (I got sick again... whoopee!) Unfortunately, when the DM came back from trying to set the anchor, he recommended not diving this site. The water really stunk and there was nothing living at the site. Everything was dead and he was worried about swimming in it. There was not any alternatives, so we came back early. I think I slept the whole way back leaned up against the BC's and tanks. It was disappointing, but we still a great time at the first dive.
Day 2: We were up early to get to CrystalRiver early. We were there just before they opened up. We set out for King Springs first and saw the cave and the plaque to the Manatees. The vis was 15-20 outside of the spring and unlimited inside. We also dove the Three Sisters and Magnolia Springs. The water was 73 degrees and vis was good, at least until we got there . Thankfully, it cleans out quickly. We brought home some shells for the kids and had some fun finding crabs. The current going to Three Sisters was hardly there, so that was not a problem. By the time we finished, we were swimming under so many snorklers, I couldn't believe how it filled up. I'm glad we were there early!
Since this was a quick weekend dive, that was it for the diving for us. We flew back on Monday and rounded up our kids and the dog from where we had 'farmed' them out. I had a GREAT time and can't wait to dive the warmer water again. I'm really glad this was not my first experience with diving, I wouldn't want to ever hit these cold lakes again. Now, I have something to look forward to in the coming years.