--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: CG500016 Date: 12/04/95 From: LEE BELL Time: 09:04pm \/To: HAL MUROCK (Read 2 times) Subj: Diving Florida Springs -> A number of years ago I dove several springs near Branford FL. All -> were undeveloped at the time except for one whose neme escapes me -> now. They required some self control to keep them from becomming cave -> dives and the 72 degree water made 1/4" wet suits necessary. It will -> take some searching, but there is a book issued by the State of -> Florida Department of Natural Resources in 197H&2Hunt for it. I'm out -> of bbs time. Bye Bye Hal I have several books which list Florida springs. I missed the start of this, but if you'll share your interest with me, I'll look and see what I've got to match. Lee --- PCBoard (R) v15.22/M 2 * Origin: The Cross Roads BBS Ft. Lauderdale, Fla 954-791-9325 (1:369/97) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: CG500017 Date: 12/04/95 From: LEE BELL Time: 09:09pm \/To: JAMES GAMPPER (Read 1 times) Subj: Re: I'm back! SE> It's well worth the drive down from the Tampa area. I SE> still have a handfull of shark's teeth that I collected SE> there over two weekends of diving. Do the sharks die there or do they shed their teeth? The most common teeth found in the Venice area are from prehistoric sharks. They're normally black and are petrified. Those sharks are definitely dead. Occasionally, one will find a white shark's tooth. These may or may not come from dead sharks. Sharks grow multiple rows of teeth and as one set gets dull, loose, etc., it falls out and one from the next row replaces it. So, the answer to your question is yes, some teeth are from dead sharks and some from living ones. Lee --- PCBoard (R) v15.22/M 2 * Origin: The Cross Roads BBS Ft. Lauderdale, Fla 954-791-9325 (1:369/97) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: CG500018 Date: 12/04/95 From: LEE BELL Time: 09:12pm \/To: JAMES GAMPPER (Read 1 times) Subj: Re: Lift Bag -> Lot's of people learn, go once or twice and then never go again. -> Maybe it's just a personal challenge to overcome and once done there -> is no interest. A lot of the problem is location and part of it is the lack of others with a zest for the diving life. Down here in S. Fla., there's so much to see that most people who try diving stick with it. Those who dive with me get exposed to my knowledge (been doing this a long time) and obvious love of the sport. Even fewer of them quit. To be honest, if I had to put up with a dry suit just to dive a quary with 5 feet of visibility on a good day, I'd find another hobby too. Lee --- PCBoard (R) v15.22/M 2 * Origin: The Cross Roads BBS Ft. Lauderdale, Fla 954-791-9325 (1:369/97) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: CG500019 Date: 12/04/95 From: LEE BELL Time: 09:15pm \/To: MICHAEL NELSON (Read 1 times) Subj: New Boy In The Water -> Well, I would like to join in on the actives here. I am a certified -> open water diver. I have had some time in the ocean when I lived in -> California. Now I have moved up here to Pollock, Idaho to start a BBS -> to included FidoNet. Besides the point. Now that I am up here in the -> middle of Idaho I would like to know of who else around me dives? To -> top it all off I got to drive 300+ miles (round trip) to get a tank -> filled. The last time I checked a air fill is about $2.50 but it cost -> $25.00 - $35.00 to drive down to Boise, Idaho. -> -> Well, enough of the intro. I would like to hear from other divers! I'm not sure what the diving opportunities in your area are, but if I had to drive 300 miles for air, I'd certainly consider purchasing my own compressor. You'll have to learn to do visuals (not that hard) and probably still have to travel for hydros, but I suspect the reduced travel could pay for the compressor fairly quickly, particularly if you can find others to share the expense. Lee --- PCBoard (R) v15.22/M 2 * Origin: The Cross Roads BBS Ft. Lauderdale, Fla 954-791-9325 (1:369/97) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: CG500020 Date: 12/04/95 From: LEE BELL Time: 09:18pm \/To: DON BOUDREAU (Read 1 times) Subj: New Hampshire Diving -> I hope that you guys don't mind my looking over your shoulder but -> maybe I could join you in the spring or so. I too am from NH -> (Manchester) and I and my family are new to diving. Would have liked -> to have done more this year but I am very busy in the fall with other -> projects. I really wanted t go this weekend but the out side temp is -> only 40 with a good wind. I may have braved a 45 with no wind but -> enough is enough!! Don't mind at all. Talk to your family about vacationing in S. Fla. The airlines have all kinds of discounts and you don't HAVE to spend your life savings in all S. Fla. motels. If you decide to follow through on this, consider summer strongly. It's our off season (rates are lower) and the seas are generally calmer and visibility better, as in 50 to 100 feet. Lee --- PCBoard (R) v15.22/M 2 * Origin: The Cross Roads BBS Ft. Lauderdale, Fla 954-791-9325 (1:369/97) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: CG500021 Date: 12/04/95 From: LEE BELL Time: 09:19pm \/To: JAMES GAMPPER (Read 1 times) Subj: Re: Introduction -> Have I asked you yet if you know anyone that wants a factory fresh -> SB-103, relatively cheap??? Define relatively cheap. I have two friends with Nikonus equipment but no strobs. I'll check and see, but need a price to help them reach a decision. Heck, if the price is right enough, I might even be interested. Two strobes is devinitely better than one. Lee --- PCBoard (R) v15.22/M 2 * Origin: The Cross Roads BBS Ft. Lauderdale, Fla 954-791-9325 (1:369/97) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: CG500022 Date: 12/04/95 From: PETER DEBENS Time: 04:22pm \/To: ALL (Read 1 times) Subj: PORTLAND DIVE SITES: haven for crayfish but the larger ones are usually well back in areas difficult to access. Quite a deep dive bottoming out around 20 metres. Experience level: Intermediate. "Emily S":- This is a steel hulled stern trawler approximately 30 metres long with a displacement of 240 tonnes. She was sunk 1st September 1991 forming a magnificent man-made reef and dive site. It has now become the home of a good variety of fish and marine growth. Experience level: Intermediate to experienced. Blacknose Point:- A small reef area close to the point that is well worth a look, especially for new divers and snorkellers. The reef juts out of a sandy bottom and stands a meter or so high. Fish life consists of most reef species and also whiting on the sandy areas. Depth ranges from 3 to 9 metres. Experience level: Beginners onwards and snorkellers. The Rock Pile:- This location is only a few minutes from the Harbour and is very well protected from the weather. It has been overlooked as a dive site, being recently rediscovered after one of the "old timers" who used to dive the site frequently pointed out the location. This makes an excellent night dive as well. It has a depth of 14 metres to the base, and around 9 to 10 metres to the top. Experience level: Beginners onwards. Whalers Reef:- This reef is about 500 metres north of the Lee Breakwater. It covers a large area with walls of 3 metres, rubble bottoms and heavy reef areas to be discovered and explored. It has depths of between 3 to 14 metres, and has a wide range of marine life including leafy and weedy sea dragons, abalone, crayfish, starfish, and lots of fish life. This can be done as a shore dive as well, being accessible from the beach. Experience level: Beginners onwards and snorkellers. The Basalt Wall:- The wall runs in an east to west direction in the Snapper Point area. The rubble bottom is at a depth of 8 metres and has a wall rising to within 3 metres of the surface. It is prone to swells in rough conditions and the fish life varies with the season. Experience level: Beginners onwards and snorkellers. Spot 10:- The bottom is very broken with outcrops running across the area. These outcrops have abundant sea life with a good cover of weed. Sea turbulence has formed tunnels and caves in the outcrops and these are the home to some beautiful corals abalone, shellfish, and some very pretty coloured fish. Depths are around 8 to 14 metres, and this is a very enjoyable dive and can offer some excellent photographic possibilities. Experience level: Beginners onwards and snorkellers. Kelp Forest:- Along the northern side of Lawrence Rocks a towering forest of kelp can be dived or snorkelled. The kelp covers quite a large area and is the home for a variety of small fish. It is an exhilarating feeling to swim amongst strands of kelp reaching up to the surface. Depths range from 4 to 12 metres, and can be snorkelled close in to the rock. Experience level: Beginners onwards and snorkellers. The Harbour:- Further to the south on the western side of Lawrence Rock is a natural harbour formation formed by the action of swells and waves. The bottom varies with the maximum depth being around 17 metres. Calm conditions with no swell make this one of the best dive sites. There is an abundance of marine life and can be a photographers paradise. Experience level: Beginners onwards. Shag Rock:- This is the smaller rock at the north western end of Lawrence Rock. On the north eastern side is a steep shelving basalt wall that stops on a sandy bottom. Fish life and marine growth abound in the area. Experience level: Beginners onwards. Cape Nelson:- There are a multitude of dive sites along this section of the coast. Depths range from around 6 to 36 metres with a huge diversity of features and marine life. Experience level: Beginners onwards. Seal Caves:- This cave is in the very beautiful Bridgewater Bay. Here it is possible to dive with one of the few permanent seal colonies on the coast. Depths range from around 5 to 12 metres, and can also be snorkelled. This is also one of the most memorable dives to experience. Experience level: Beginners onwards and snorkellers. Ewens Ponds:- A freshwater system of 3 ponds joined by shallow channels. Depths are up to 10 metres and visibility is magnificent all year round due to flowing water. These can be dived no matter what the weather is, and have great grass growth, prickly-backs, yabbies, eels, range of freshwater fish, and the last pond has a small cave. It is possible to continue down stream all the way to the ocean. Good buoyancy control is needed as this is a fragile environment. It can be both dived, snorkelled and swam, however be careful as the water can be chilly. Experience level: Beginners onwards, snorkellers and swimmers. Piccaninny Ponds:- Freshwater rising to the surface over the centuries has used weaknesses in the limestone to form The Chasm with white walls covered with algal growth. An underwater cavern called the Cathedral has been formed the same way. Visibility in this system can exceed 40 metres making it a very attractive site. Permits and time slots are required to use this area and are obtained from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. It can be snorkelled in limited numbers, however to dive you need to be a current member of the CDAA. Fossilised Sharks Teeth:- This site can be shore dived or is a short boat trip from Portland. Depths range from between 3 to 15 metres. It is a reef abound with marine life and growth, and is also the home of fossilised sharks teeth. These make lovely collectors items, and are a great momento of a great dive. Experience level: Beginners onwards, snorkellers and swimmers. Lee Breakwater:- Gear up on clean bitumen, climb down the rocks for an easy entry. You will be able to see starfish, sea-urchins, abalone (remember the rules), and a wide range of plant and fish life. This makes an interesting night dive as the different life forms come out. Depths range from shallows to approx. 10 metres. Experience level: Beginners onwards, snorkellers and swimmers. Pivot Beach Reef:- At the back of the Pivot Factory is a little cove with a beach. It is a nice easy beach entry and if you follow the rock wall it leads onto a nice little reef, with depths ranging up to 5 to 7 metres. Experience level: Beginners onwards, snorkellers and swimmers. Land Slide Area:- You will need to carry your gear down to the water as the road is blocked off. This is a shallow rocky area abound with all types of aquatic life, and is well worth a look. Experience level: Beginners onwards, snorkellers and swimmers. Lake Purrumbete (Camperdown):- Lake Purrumbete is a natural freshwater lake that has formed inside an extinct volcano, although it may not seem so being no more than a couple of hundred metres above sea level. The lake measures 3.2 kms north to south and 2.9 kms east to west, with a total shoreline of 10.3 kms. Depth of the lake reaches a maximum of 45 metres, but averages only 28 metres. Lake Purrumbete, together with lake Bulleen Merri, her 65 metre deep, semi-salt-water sister, have been subject to an extensive fish introduction of over 100,000 fish. These include: Brown and Rainbow Trout, Tench, Chinook Salmon, Redfin and Carp. A good entry point is the Crown Land area 1150 metres from the Caravan Park. The entry point is only about 20 metres from where you park the car. A 10 metre wade finds you waist deep in the water followed by a 50 metre snorkel sees you descend in about 4 metres of water. You will find as you continue swimming off-shore that you are in an area rich in aquatic plant life, juvenile fish, shrimp and insects. You will then come to a drop off in 8 metres of water, about 150 metres off-shore. Visibility should still be excellent. When you descend down the wall the visibility will take on a green haze, but is still extremely good. The wall stops at about the 20 metre mark, and the muddy bottom continues gradually down to between 25 - 28 metres. On the way down be aware you will come across a temperature inversion layer, below which is colder and visibility usually drops to 3 - 5 metres. Experience level: Beginners onwards, snorkellers and swimmers. The deeper section should be dived only by those with deep dive experience. Saxon Reef:- This reef was named because as well as being a very pretty reef, it has the remains of the fishing vessel the "Saxon". This site is divable in most cases and is only a short run from the harbour. The fish life on it is prolific and an excellent site for photography. Depth is around 9 - 10 metres making it a site for all divers. Experience level: Beginners onwards. For any firther information please conatact Meredith or Peter Debens on (055)23-5617 Z --- TosScan(q) 1.00 * Origin: OzWorld BBS - SCUBA Diving Down-Under. Australia. (3:713/601) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: CGA00001 Date: 12/03/95 From: JANIS FOLEY Time: 11:25pm \/To: LEE BELL (Read 1 times) Subj: INTRODUCTION > Some of us are old timers (I started in 1962) Wow! That's great! How often do you dive now? I would like to dive more often but my husband doesn't have his boat any more - and diving from the shore is not exactly my favorite. I am 5'1" and weigh a whopping 98 lbs on a good day, so the gear really takes a lot out of me. :) O-well! And besides, after seeing all the seals and sea lions during my first boat dive - it's really hard to go back to shore diving. Whaddaya think? TTYL Janis --- System Support BBS * Origin: System Support BBS (619) 563-9207 (1:202/1609) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: CGA00002 Date: 12/03/95 From: JANIS FOLEY Time: 11:31pm \/To: LEE BELL (Read 1 times) Subj: Underwater Photography > Save your nickles and dimes. Underwater photography is a > remarkably expensive hobby. Although you can start cheaper, I have over > $2,000 in my camera, one lens and stobe. The lens I want is closer to > $3,000 by itself. Yeah I realize that it's expensive. Geez! Your camera equipment costs more than my whole car! :) I think if I do try the underwater photography I'll just have to rent it at the local dive shop. TTYL Janis --- System Support BBS * Origin: System Support BBS (619) 563-9207 (1:202/1609) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 186 SCUBA Ref: CGA00003 Date: 12/05/95 From: CHRIS ACHTERHOF Time: 04:18pm \/To: DENNIS SEAVEY (Read 1 times) Subj: Diving Equipment -=> Quoting Dennis Seavey to All <=- DS> Does anyone out there know anything about the IDI equipment. I've DS> used their fins but I have no first hand knowledge of their other DS> products. I have one of their regs, the Osprey, and I have had good luck with it. It breathes well and held up so far. Chris ... "Yield to temptation, it may not pass your way again." - L. Long ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.20 [NR] --- QScan/PCB v1.17b / 01-0067 * Origin: Black Gold BBS-TELNET BGBBS.COM SLIP/PPP 918-272-7779 (1:170/309)