Dive Otago rocks the Mikhail Lermontov!
Posted on Fri 16 October, 2009
Yes we know this was a while ago but we had to still say thanks to all the team at Dive Otago for an awesome weekend staying out at Cape Jackson once again! Diving was wicked with the find of the weekend a massive case of old Sprite cans. Stashed in a secret spot on the wreck for future tours - "oh, look what we found" :)
The guys and gal were terrific divers and made the most of the weekend by diving every chance they could get, except when we visited the Skywalker Rock on the Queen Charlotte Wilderness Park and a couple of people showed that while they can go deep inside the wreck they are no too fond of heights!!!
Cheers to Euan, Adam, Nat, Dave and Baz!
Bula from Fiji
Posted on Tue 06 October, 2009
After the fantastic 4 days away at the Knights we continued on with the diving buzz and jumped a plane to Fiji. Heading for Savu Savu and the chance to spend 9 days kicking back at our friends place in the Nukumbalavu Road!
After getting the mandatory fleecing as a tourist in Nadi with a $100 garden tour we jumped on a seriously old and small plane to Savu Savu. That was like going in a time machine back 100 years which was awesome!
We lazed by the pool, did some stunning dives in the Somo Somo straight and out at Namena Island, did some cultural coconut cracking and met some really nice locals.
We eluded the local police who may have busted us for riding on the back of a ute, we found a corporate guy whose office was basically on the beach who served us big bottles of beer in between dealing with clients in America. We danced at pub with a live island band, ate raw fish, snorkelled off the side of the road and pretty much chilled out.
Thanks very much to Chris, Kerry and Sam Sullivan who were awesome hosts with the best collection of $2.00 dvds that you will ever see!
Also cheers Stefan for hooking us up in Nadi-Vinaka
Looking forward to next years tropical escape!
POOR KNIGHTS
Posted on Tue 29 September, 2009
With the exception of a three hour flight delay (go the $30 flights Garth and Tex!) the trip started off smoothly and while there was a lack of musical taste in the van (DIY hits rules!) spirits were high for our journey north.
What could have been disaster with the weather turned into an awesome few days diving in the far north! With the first day dubious for the Knights we all jumped into the new Ford Transit and road tripped up to dive the Canterbury with the wonderful Northland Dive. As Stefan took the front seat with his gadgets, unfortunatley there was some serious debate as to who was better at giving directions - the Dale Dale or the Tom Tom but when the sexy french accent came on the debate ended fairly suddenly. Although Cora was right when saying there should really only be one woman allowed to tell our husbands what they should be doing!
As we headed out on the boat 007 (wicked!) we had an exilerating boat ride through some humungous waves saw most of us pooping ourselves while Shane (skip) had not a worry on his face. sweet!
The Poor Knights recieved us the next two days after another rolling boat ride (and a green Stu!) with 30m vis and awesome marine life. Mike showed great restraint in not wanting to hunt and eat all the glorious marine life in this marine reserve! Awesome work Janine as a new diver kept up with the gurus in fine style. Suspicions of Ben Jr being a little narced as he thought Dale's ok signal meant, yep it's fine to go to 46metres!
On Sunday after 3 awesome dives we were treated to an amzing cook -up by Jo (thank you again!) with Thai Curry, Meatballs, and homemade pavlova! And of course the trip legend was crowned.
Congratulations to "The Garth" who is now the new Trip Legend! He was a convincing win with nearly 100% on the quizz and scored extra points in the 'crawling question' when asked What gives better directions - a Dale Dale or a Tom Tom? He replied "It doesn't matter as Ben doesn't listen to either of them!"
Also congratulations to the 'booby' prize winners:
Restraint Award: Mike
Inseperable Award: The Garth and Tex
Coordination Award: Janine
Look on the Bright Side Award: Stu
Happy Award: Cora
Gadget Man Award: Stefan
Deep Diver Award: Ben Jr
Thank you guys and gals for making it an awesomely fun trip and cheers to Noel and Jo from Yukon Charters and Shane and Julia from Northland Dive for taking us out to the awesome sites!
See you again next year!!
Another Russian wreck mission
Posted on Sat 05 September, 2009
Fridays weather forecast was awesome for heading out to Port Gore to dive the Lermie again. The first time in a while as the weather hasn't been that flash to head out there.
Mike and Kathryn happy as after 2 great dives
We had a keen crew including a mixed bag of Pictonites, Blenhiemers and some Americans and French to keep it interesting!
It looked to be an interesting first dive after we dropped a Bio fin over board! Ben attempted the dive on one fin but luckily we found it again lying on the deck of the Lermie! The funniest part was Sebastian who found it didn't realise that Ben had only one fin on and thought he had scored a flash fin!
We did 2 great dives, visibilty was a little down but the wreck is as cool as ever to dive.
Congratulations to Mike Black who was able to complete the final 2 dives of his advanced openwater.
Thanks guys it was great. Look forward to the next mission.
First Time for Everyone !
Posted on Sat 05 September, 2009
Today (Saturday) i had the pleasure of introducing Karleen and Patricia to the underwater world! Starting out with the short DSD vid then up to the pool for some familialisation (is that how you spell it?) of the gear then out to the Koi wreck for a dive.
Great conditions, fantastic vis, some scallies for the pan and some cool seal action on the way home- what a way to start the weekend.
Thanks ladies, i hope you enjoyed your experience. Cheers to Jake Brookie for driving the boat.
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