http://ontariodiving.com/ Online forum for discussion of Ontario scuba diving en Fri, 18 May 2012 19:58:25 GMT vBulletin 60 http://ontariodiving.com/images/misc/rss.png http://ontariodiving.com/ http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15027-Point-Traverse-May-26th-and-27th&goto=newpost Fri, 18 May 2012 18:18:44 GMT Canadian Sub Aqua Club is having a dive weekend at Duck's Dive and Cottages May 26th & 27th. We have a few openings due to a mumber of members being out of the country. The wrecks we are diving are some of the best recreational depth wrecks in Ontario and include:

Katie Eccles http://www.scubaq.ca/wp-content/gallery/katie-eccles/eccles-bow.jpg

City of Sheboygan http://www.scubaq.ca/wp-content/gallery/city-of-sheboygan/sheboygan-bow.jpg

Frontenac http://www.scubaq.ca/wp-content/gallery/frontenac/frontenac-anchorflash.jpg

Olive Branch http://www.scubaq.ca/wp-content/gallery/olive-branch/olive-deck-forward.jpg

Annie Falconer http://www.scubaq.ca/wp-content/gallery/annie-falconer/annie-over.jpg

It is always a great weekend and Sue and George are two of the best hosts you could have.

Accomodation is available in the Cottages, we normally head down there on the Friday night.

PM me for additional details.

Glenn ]]> Looking for a Dive to Happen Glenn http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15027-Point-Traverse-May-26th-and-27th http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15026-Lost-Glove-Conestoga&goto=newpost Fri, 18 May 2012 03:05:36 GMT Someone left a right handed 5-finger 5mm Whites XL glove at the Conestoga dive site. I picked it up May 17th...ringing any bells for anyone? Someone left a right handed 5-finger 5mm Whites XL glove at the Conestoga dive site. I picked it up May 17th...ringing any bells for anyone? ]]> Lost and Found Brock B http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15026-Lost-Glove-Conestoga http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15025-gullivers-lake&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 17:09:51 GMT wednesday evening dives are on again for another year. most people meet from 5.30 pm to 6.00 pm.
dive buddys and/or groups are easy to match up. welcome to everyone
the water temperatures last night were;
surface 66 degrees ('bout 18 celcius)
bottom 60 degrees ('bout 14 celcius)
maximum depth 26 feet, average 21 feet
viz; 25 -30 feet in front, 10 behind ]]> Looking for a Dive to Happen William http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15025-gullivers-lake http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15024-Georgian-Bay&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 16:52:51 GMT Is anybody diving Georgian Bay this long weekend, anywhere between Penetang and Parry Sound? I would like to tag along and/or plan a dive. steve Is anybody diving Georgian Bay this long weekend, anywhere between Penetang and Parry Sound? I would like to tag along and/or plan a dive.
steve ]]> Looking for a Dive to Happen oja http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15024-Georgian-Bay http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15023-London-Ontario&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 13:54:22 GMT Its been a while since I've been on the board, and I couldn't find a more appropriate sub-forum for this post, but was hoping someone out there could give me a bit of advice.

I've recently moved to London (Ontario, not the "other" one), and was wondering:
1) Could someone recommend a local dive shop. My wife needs a refresher course, and I need maintenance on my gear.
2) Could someone recommend a shoredive nearby-ish which would be good for a few practice dives. Doesn't need to be anything to see, all we need is some water that is reasonably easy to access and reasonably safe.

Thank you

Bryan ]]> Looking for a Dive to Happen BryanH http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15023-London-Ontario http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15022-Hiya&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 12:32:37 GMT Hi there, Was recommended to join this board from scubaboard, hopefully meet more local folks and dive more this summer. Relative newb here, only 3 dives after my certification last summer (PADI OW), but hoping to get more experience this summer in and around the Ottawa/1000 Islands area. ... Hi there,

Was recommended to join this board from scubaboard, hopefully meet more local folks and dive more this summer.

Relative newb here, only 3 dives after my certification last summer (PADI OW), but hoping to get more experience this summer in and around the Ottawa/1000 Islands area.

Cheers! ]]> Ottawa Brock B http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15022-Hiya http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15021-New-shark-in-Morrison-s-Quarry&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 21:08:54 GMT Hi,
The old shark of the quarry has been given a new life. She's a female bull shark by the name of Morry. You can go and see the whole story there http://aquadelic.blogspot.ca/ it's written in french, but there's a lot of pictures demonstrating the whole process if you're not able to read it. Please enjoy it and take care of it, a lot of people gave time and money to make this happen for everyone to enjoy. ]]> Kingston - Quebec Border MichelG http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15021-New-shark-in-Morrison-s-Quarry http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15020-tues-may-15-rothesay-1830&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 18:25:31 GMT if anyones interested the water is fifty the vis is apparently uncool but there's a weeknight dive tonight. will be meeting between 1815 and 1845 hoping to get into the water by 1900 and out before it turns into a night dive. I'm testing some camers from work so more the merrier for this fun dive. Cmon I'll show you where the safe is! ]]> Looking for a Dive to Happen marktempleton http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15020-tues-may-15-rothesay-1830 http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15018-FS-XXL-OMS-Slipstream-Fins-w-Halcyon-Spring-Straps&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 04:24:33 GMT I have for sale my OMS Slipstreams. They're size XXL with Halcyon Spring Straps. These are great fins, only reason I'm selling is they won't fit me with my new drysuit because it has turbo soles. I used these with size 12 rockboots and they fit great. Asking $100 OBO

]]> Used Gear for Sale SCUBA Bob http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15018-FS-XXL-OMS-Slipstream-Fins-w-Halcyon-Spring-Straps http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15017-A-Baptism-by-Ice-(Image-Intensive)&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 04:04:25 GMT I've always had an interest in diving. It was one of those things I've wanted to do, but never really got around to getting certified. During my second visit to Iceland in April or 2011, I had the opportunity to snorkel in the great Silfra crack. After that experience, I told myself I would come back and dive it. So, fast forward to March 2012, and I find myself at Aqua Systems in Mississauga, conducting my in-class and in-pool sessions for my OWC.

Three days later, I am in Iceland on the start of a month-long photography trip. A little side note: If you haven't been to Iceland, you really need to go. It's quite honestly the most amazing country I have ever visited, and will literally blow you away (the wind can get pretty fierce out there sometimes). I chose to finish my OWC with DIVE.IS. The staff there are nothing short of awesome in every regard. The instructors are very professional and great fun to be around too!

As the water temperature for all my dives would be around the 2-5°C mark, I got to learn to do all my dive skills while wearing a dry suit. One of the instructors told us it was our baptism by ice, even though there really was no actual ice involved, but we were in Iceland. My classmates were a Canadian couple, and two Icelandic biology students. Our first two dives were to be in the Ocean, pretty much directly behind the dive centre in the harbour of Reykjavik. We lovingly called this place "Dog Shit Beach", due to the large amount of canine excrement on the beach.

This was also my first time ever being in the ocean, so it was quite an experience for me. I think I swallowed quite a bit of saltwater during my time there. The water was cold and murky after a short time of us kicking up silt everywhere. I had difficulty staying stable on the bottom at first, as one side of my body kept wanting to float up. Once the instructors showed us how to remain stable in the dry suit, it was easy. Did all my skills with little to no difficulty, and at the end of our last dive of the day, we got to do a little tour and check out some fish and crabs.

Upon getting back to the dive centre, one of the Canadians was having ear problems. Would plug his nose, blow and his left ear would whistle. He said it was a pre-existing condition and only the next day did I find out he had to go to the hospital that night with a perforated ear drum. So the other Canadians would not be joining us on the second day.

On day two, we drove to Thingvellir Park for our final two check-out dives. At this particular location, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge comes up on land. So you can literally walk, drive, swim & dive between the continents. The first stop was a location called Daviđsgjá in Ţingvallavatn. This is a rather nice ravine system, and it is in this area we did a few more skills, including pulling off our masks and putting them back on. This isn't exactly the easiest task while you're wearing a thick neoprene hood and neoprene mittens. The freezing cold water is quite a shock to your system too. I had to close my eyes because my eyes were too cold which is one of the weirdest sensations I've ever experienced. But, managed to get the goggle seal under the hood and completely clear my goggles in about 30 seconds.

After completing our skills, we had a bit of a pleasure dive into the ravine a bit. We only went down to 14 metres depth, but it was the deepest I've been to that date, so I was quite pleased. The water was pretty clear with about 10 metres of visibility, so got to see quite a bit of the ravine as we swam though it. Once we got back to the surface, there was about a 200 metre surface swim back to the shore, which with all the gear on, took quite a while. After a lunch break, we were off to the final destination of our dive training: Silfra.

Silfra is a crack in Iceland that is created by the separation of the North American and Euro-Asian continental plates. The plates are pulling apart from each other at a rate of about 2cm per year. This area also has quite a few earthquakes, as evidenced by the numerous boulders scattered throughout the rift. So while diving here, you are diving between the continents. There are areas where you can touch both continents at the same time. The water is fed by an underground spring and is glacial melt water from a glacier about 50km away. The water is then filtered through kilometres of lava rock and about 100 years later, enters the Silfra rift. The water is apparently, 10 times more pure than Evion, and is ready to drink right out of the rift. You can drink the water straight out of pretty much any fresh body of water in Iceland. Nothing quite like sitting on a big rock, in 16 metres of water, and pulling the regulator out for a drink. No problems with dry mouth when diving Silfra.

Due to the cold, pure water, and the fact there is very little life in the rift (some small fish, algae & insect larvae), the visibility can reach between 100-150 metres. After finishing the last few skills we had to do, we did a pleasure dive of the Silfra rift. When I snorkeled this location the previous year, it was amazing. When I got to dive it, it was aw-inspiring. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, and even to this day I have trouble putting it into words. The water was crystal clear, a beautiful blue, and high rock faces on either side of you with some gigantic boulders scattered throughout the rift. The whole dive last about 25 minutes, but seemed like it was only a few minutes. Then was the fun 100 metre walk in full gear, back to the van.

I did it. I was finally a certified diver.

After this experience, I ended up canceling a few other trips I had planned so I could afford to get back in Silfra again for a few more dives. I decided to take the Digital Underwater Photographer speciality course on this dive trip as well. So after studying the manual, answering a few questions, I was back at Silfra with a camera from the dive centre. After some words with one of the instructors, I was back in dive gear with yet again, 2 more Canadians on the dive trip and a bunch of UK tourists to snorkel the rift. These being only my 5th & 6th dives, I was still having quite a bit of trouble keeping my buoyancy right, and taking pictures at the same time. But, I managed to get some pretty good pictures considering it was my first time using a camera underwater, and it is definitely a field I wish to pursue more. I also managed to get 2 dives into my advanced rating, having done the photo course and got the other dive logged as a dry suit adventure dive.

So after learning how to dive in cold water, and only really knowing diving in cold water so far, I know this will be a hobby I will be able to enjoy all year round. Now it's just a matter of being able to take as many courses as I can, and get in the water as much as possible. I plan to go back to Iceland again year, and dive even more locations around the country. It really is a hidden gem in the diving world.

Some pics from my final check-out dive in Silfra from another diver:


Entrance to Silfra


Me (red mask) & classmates











Silfra Lagoon



Silfra Lagoon

And here's a few photos I took during my UW photo course:

















]]> Jason Haynes http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15017-A-Baptism-by-Ice-(Image-Intensive) http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15016-Hiya!&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 00:30:09 GMT Hi Everyone, My name is Jay, from Brampton and just started diving a few months ago. I was fortunate enough to do all my OW checkout dives in Iceland, doing 2 ocean dives, 1 dive in a lake with an extensive rift system and my final checkout dive in the famous Silfra rift. After getting my OW... Hi Everyone,

My name is Jay, from Brampton and just started diving a few months ago. I was fortunate enough to do all my OW checkout dives in Iceland, doing 2 ocean dives, 1 dive in a lake with an extensive rift system and my final checkout dive in the famous Silfra rift. After getting my OW cert I immediately did several other dives in Silfra and completed the digital photographer course as well (I'm a photographer by trade). All dives were done in a dry suit as well, so I got the bonus of learning how to dry suit dive, though I have yet to get the specialty certification (it's next on the list).

Hopelessly addicted now and can`t wait to get all my own gear and get back in the water. Interests lie mostly in UW photography, videography and really keen to get into cavern & cave diving once I feel I have enough experience.

For now, I`ll mostly be lurking and maybe posting the odd question, but I look forward to being able to contribute when and where I can.

Cheers,



]]> Humble Bay Divers (Toronto) Jason Haynes http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15016-Hiya! http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15015-Shore-diving-at-Rockport&goto=newpost Mon, 14 May 2012 18:02:07 GMT Anyone know what is going on with Andress Boatworks and all the signs for no shore diving any more? Anyone know what is going on with Andress Boatworks and all the signs for no shore diving any more? ]]> Kingston - Quebec Border Sandman http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15015-Shore-diving-at-Rockport http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15014-Are-there-any-licensed-plumbers-here&goto=newpost Mon, 14 May 2012 13:25:34 GMT If so, send me a PM will ya? I'm interested in having some work done at my place in Tobermory and wondered if you might be interested in a work versus "rental" arrangement!

Cheers,

Stu ]]> Looking for a deal Stoo http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15014-Are-there-any-licensed-plumbers-here http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15013-Console-Computer&goto=newpost Sun, 13 May 2012 18:29:21 GMT $500 Sherwood Wisdom 2 dive computer. Used for 1 day on 2 dives. Needs to go. Includes box, compass, quick disconnect, and quick disconnect hose. This is the latest model on the market. Retails for 650$ + tax Image:... $500

Sherwood Wisdom 2 dive computer. Used for 1 day on 2 dives. Needs to go.
Includes box, compass, quick disconnect, and quick disconnect hose.
This is the latest model on the market.

Retails for 650$ + tax

]]> Used Gear for Sale D Galda001 http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15013-Console-Computer http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15012-SOS-Toronto-UW-Archaeology-Workshops-May-22-amp-24&goto=newpost Sun, 13 May 2012 14:03:30 GMT *Save Ontario Shipwrecks* http://www.saveontarioshipwrecks.on.ca (http://www.saveontarioshipwrecks.on.ca/)

Save Ontario Shipwrecks

http://www.saveontarioshipwrecks.on.ca

SOS Toronto Chapter presents two hands-on workshops on

Underwater Archaeology

with Dr. Simon Spooner

Dr. Spooner is co-founder and President of the Anglo-Danish MaritimeArchaeological Team (ADMAT), a non-profit organization working on thepreservation of historic shipwrecks in the Caribbean. Dr. Spooner's doctoralthesis was entitled “Maritime Taphonomy – A study of historic shipwreckformation process on the north coast of the Dominican Republic from 1563 to1829.” He has directed numerous excavations and surveys including, the White HouseBay Wrecks (1780s), La Viette (1802), Faience Wreck (1760s), LeCasimir (1829), LeDragon (1783) Tile Wreck(1690)s Musket Ball Wreck (1790s) and the survey for Santiago(1582) and the lost1563 Spanish Fleet. Visit http://www.admat.org.uk

Session 1: Tuesday, May 22nd, 7:00-10:00 pm

Shipwreck Taphonomy: A study of four historic wreck formationprocesses on the north coast of the Dominican Republic from 1690–1829


Session 2: Thursday, May 24th, 7:00-10:00 pm

Maritime Archaeology CSI: Artefacts from the Tile Wreck, which sunk1720-1723. She was a French armed merchant ship, possibly a slave ship called LaFamille


Cost:$10 per session, $5 for SOS members orUniv. of Toronto students


Credit:Each session counts for 3 hours ofNautical Archaeology Society credit for those with NAS-I certification


Location:

NMC Archaeology Lab, Room 415 (4th Floor)

Bancroft Hall, 4 Bancroft Avenue

(Northeast of College and Spadina)

Dept. of Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations

University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario

Map: http://map.utoronto.ca/building/057


Questions? Contact Jonathan Ferguson (SOS TorontoChair) at: jonathanferguson@hotmail.com


Poster:Download the event poster at:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/57142402/Simon%20Spooner%20Workshops%20Ad%20-%20SOS%20Toronto%202012.pdf ]]> Organizational Meetings jonathanferguson http://ontariodiving.com/showthread.php?15012-SOS-Toronto-UW-Archaeology-Workshops-May-22-amp-24