Aquatic Ventures Dive Blog
Happy New Year!
Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! We had some cold weather recently, but the weeks leading up to Christmas saw some beautiful diving weather. We had calm seas, clear water (for the most part) and lots of sunshine.
Thanks to all of our dive club members for joining us on our Fort Lauderdale trip on the American Dream the week the before Christmas, and the Key Largo trip just days before Christmas. We had some new divers join us, and everyone had a blast! If you haven't been out on a group dive with us, try to make our next trip this coming Sunday. (Info is at the bottom of this blog.) It's a guaranteed good time!
Aquatic Ventures owners, Josh and Rachel, also managed to squeeze in some cave and cavern diving in the springs of North Central Florida at Devil's Den and the Blue Grotto over the Christmas break.
Scroll down for pictures of our latest adventures!!!
Also, don't miss an incredible video of an extremely rare sighting by one of our dive club members last week at the end of this blog. You won't believe what he saw!
Fort Lauderdale, December 20
Sites: The Captain Ramon and Barracuda Reef
The Captain Ramon was a new wreck for everyone on board. It's a beauty, with tons of fish, including large schools of snappers, at a depth of about 75-80 feet to the sand. Unfortunately, the current was unusually strong which didn't allow for as much exploration as we wanted. We're definitely looking forward to the next time we can visit the Ramon in better conditions. Barracuda Reef was also a nice change from the Caves, which Captain Todd usually brings divers to after a wreck dive. Average depth was 35-40 feet and there are a bunch of undercut ledges that make great homes for lobsters. A free diver on the boat caught three. The current was significantly less here, with decent visibility. There is an abundance of basket sponges, and we spotted two large Long Spined Sea Urchins who happened to be relatively exposed for the daytime, in both black and white.
Key Largo, December 22
Sites: The Benwood and Christmas Tree Reef
The Benwood is a 360-foot merchant marine freighter lying in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary at a depth which ranges from 48 feet at the bow to 25 feet at the stern. It's a great beginner's dive and fun for advanced divers as well. The Benwood was sunk in April of 1942 after running into another ship in the night. The next day it was declared a total loss. It has been the victim of much unreported salvaging over the years, leaving only the bilge section (in the middle) readily identifiable. Many species of fish call the Benwood their home, including Southern Stingrays, Barracuda, large Groupers and innumerable schools of French grunts.
Williston, FL, December 26
Dive Site: The Blue Grotto Spring
The Blue Grotto is one of Central Florida's largest and deepest caverns for diving. The water is as clear as a pool and a constant cool 72 degrees all year round. It has several platforms in the 30-35 foot range as well as a rock pedestal at 65 feet called "Peace Rock" (the symbol carved in by someone years ago) before you descend into a tunnel in complete darkness down to a depth of 100 feet. Thankfully, there is a reliable guideline which takes you down and up. Definitely an adrenaline rush! And to add to the enjoyment of the dive, we were lucky enough to be the only two divers in the cavern our entire dive. Spring diving is a completely different animal than ocean diving and must be experienced to really get a feel for it. In the first picture, you will notice at the top an air bell at a depth of 30-feet filled with compressed air that allows a bit of actual conversation during a dive. Definitely can't do that in the Atlantic!
Williston, FL, December 26
Dive Site: The Devil's Den
The Devil's Den was our favorite between the two springs, which we dove on the same day. It is only two miles away from the Blue Grotto, and it had a completely different feel. While the entrance to the Blue Grotto is at ground level, out in the open, you must descend 57 steps into a sinkhole to enter the Devil's Den. On a cold day, it is said that you can see steam rising like smoke from the fern draped chimney hole 75 feet above the surface of the spring. Again, there is the same cool temp of 72 degrees and crystal clear water. This spring is filled with 33 million year old rock formations with stalactites, fossil beds, and much more. The dive consisted of tight swim throughs and maxes out at a depth of almost 60 feet. A truly unique dive experience!
And finally...the video of the decade!!!
And finally...the video of the decade!!!
One of our diving buddies went out to the Pompano Dropoff with a friend for a relaxing dive last weekend. After surfacing and boarding the boat, they noticed a large creature in the water slowly circling their boat. The creature swam closer and closer. Huge sea turtle? No. Giant Manta Ray? No. They had the privilege of seeing a Whale Shark up close right here in our own waters. They were within a few miles of shore, in about 30-35 feet of water. We have to thank Graham Spencer for allowing us to use his spectacular footage of this amazing creature. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. We were so jealous that we didn't experience this encounter ourselves but were able to live vicariously through Graham's slack jawed amazement and this awesome video. Thanks again Graham!
Dive Trip and BBQ!!
Sunday, January 13 8:30 am in Miami
We are planning a dive trip with Paradise Divers in Miami on Sunday, January 18th at 8:30 in the morning, weather permitting. We will be diving a wreck, followed by a trip to the Neptune Memorial Reef, which we highlighted in our last blog. It's a very unique site, great for both beginners and advanced divers alike, and especially for our underwater photographers in the club. After the dive, we are going to BBQ hotdogs and hamburgers at the dock. We're providing food and soft drinks, but feel free to bring your own beverage of choice as well. The cost is $60 w/out tanks, $80 w/tanks. We will be leaving the shop 7:15 am if you'd like to carpool, or you can meet us at the boat. Please arrive by 8:00. If you do meet us there, just give us a call and we can collect payment via phone. Give us a call to reserve your spot today, no deposit required. If weather is bad, we will cancel the day before. If you haven't been on a trip with us, this is the one to join us, it's going to be even more fun than usual, if that's possible. Don't miss it!!!
Dive Tips: How to Dive Like a Pro
Tip #4:Staying Clear of the Panic Zone
The life-support equipment required for scuba diving is a clear indication that we're going somewhere we really don't belong. And it should come as no surprise that mental fitness for diving-the ability to react constructively to stress-inducing situations under water- is every bit as important as physical fitness. Here is how to minimize your risk of a panicked response:
Don't Dive Beyond Your Capabilities. A buddy's training does not replace your own. Make sure you have the experience and skills to make the dive you're planning.
Don't Push the Edge. Trying to squeeze in one last dive to get your money's worth may push your abilities too far. Cold and fatigue could indeed make it your last dive. Telling yourself you'll only go in the wreck "a little way" because you forgot your light can be another potential panic-inducer.
Stay Current with the Basic Skills. When was the last time you flooded and cleared your mask? Shared air with a buddy? Rusty skills and lack of confidence are an open invitation to panic.
Go With Your Gut. You may be qualified to do the dive, have the latest gear and even have made similar dives many times before, but if something doesn't feel right, don't get into the water. don't let ego substitute for common sense.
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