Weekend Of Skillz ~ Day One

31 08 2013

Saturday, August 31st, 2013 ~

My Arizona sista came to town, to work on skillz for our upcoming Tech 2 course. Dave M was also visiting, to work on rotations and skillz, too! Steph, Carm, and Julie also joined us, for skillz, skillz, skillz. David J also met up with us, for skillz. You may notice a theme, here. 😉

After filling tanks and loading vehicles, we made our way up to the quarry. We unloaded too many tanks (that’s  how it seemed), and were off to the races.

I had a bit of an ankle injury going on, and wasn’t sure what finning would be like, but I figured I would give it a try. Steve, Karen, Dave M, and I loaded up with three bottles each. We were using 130s on our backs, which is complete overkill for the quarry, but we wanted to use what we would be using during our course.

I had my camera with me, but set it down, while we worked on Valve Drills, S-Drills, Bottle Rotations, and Steve even brought out his bubble gun, to surprise us with some scenarios. After our drills, I took some pictures! My foot was sore, from my fin squeeze on the swelling, but I was managing.

Karen, loaded up!

Dave M’s bottles were a little heavier than ours. While peeking through the flaps of the plane, he may have been searching for lighter bottles? 😛

Steve!

Steve took a pic of me, too!

David J, after some excellent valve drills!

Julie and Steph…

Carm, while moving a bottle around!

I decided to come in, since my foot started to get pretty sore. At least I was able to bang out some drills! Steve, Karen, Dave, and Dave followed me in, then went back for more!

Bottom Time: 1 hour, 5 mins.
Max. Depth: 23′
Water Temp.: 69F

Dave M. and Steve…

Karen and Dave J…

Julie, Steph, Me!

When the others got out, we packed up all of our gear, then headed to Jean Burger. Dave M just had to have the poutine experience (even though he didn’t order it, he still got to taste it)! There was a little bit of ice cream talk, so we had to stop at Baskin Robbins, for some Ice Cream Goodness!

Normally, I am all about the chocolate, but I opted for pink and green, this time!

We headed back for fills, and prepared for the next day!


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Another Day Of Fun & Training!

11 08 2013

Saturday, August 10th, 2013 ~

Today was more Diving Goodness, at the quarry. Donna and Steve were working on some skillz, and AJ and I went for a swim, so he could try out a Santi Demo suit (and get measured for one of his very own).

We made our way to the quarry, that was extremely busy with OW courses. We found a couple of spots in the second parking lot.

Finding DEMO!

Aj and I started our swim out…

As we got to the piano, AJ decided to play us a tune. He didn’t have a tip jar, so I couldn’t leave him anything.

As we went through the boat, it appears that there has been more damage done to it. 😦

We passed a couple of thermoclines, and went down to the swim through.

AJ, coming out…

I made another pass through, and took a shot, approaching the exit hole…

It was pretty frigid down there, so we ascended some, then made our way back towards the boat.

We were going to swim through the boat, but were met by a couple of other divers…

We then went over to see Morrie, and AJ gave him a hand with a stray bottle nose…

I’d say we had a bit of fun. 🙂

Bottom Time: 1 hour, 1 min.
Max. Depth: 101′
Water Temp.: 44F, at depth; 73F, at surface
Vis.: Better at depth. Milky at the plane, and zero vis., coming to the shallows

We came out, had some lunch, then went back in. This time, we joined Donna for some skillz. I gave Steve the camera.

On our way back in, Steve decided to get a better perspective on things.

Donna, myself, and AJ…

We practiced some rescue skillz, which was fun, then came in. A fun day, with a mixture of everything!

Bottom Time: 52 mins.
Max. Depth: 29′
Water Temp.: 68F to 73F

Donna…

AJ gives us a Whoooooooooom!

Steve and I…

AJ!

Steve and Donna!

…and, of course, a selfie!!


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Even More Skillz, DPVz, & Free Divers!

4 08 2013

Saturday, August 3rd, 2013 ~ 

While Steve was teaching a DPV 1 course, I went for a skills dive with David J.! It also happened to be on a day where some of our free diving friends were in town! Of course, I brought the camera. We would do our main skills dive before the divers got there, then go back in for pics with the free divers.

David J., after our skills. Lookin’ good, Dave!

Bottom Time: 31 mins.
Max. Depth: 42′
Water Temp.: 55F

We came in, doffed gear, and met with our free diving friends. The plan was for us to go back and do a few more skills,  while the free divers set up their markers. Once we were done, we were to surface, and signal the guys to come in! Our timing was perfect, and we started at Morrie!

Eek! Shark!

I even got a shot of a couple of remoras…

Then, Philippe decided to go with no shoes, no shirt, no service…

Love it!

David J., getting read for his Fundies Pool Noodle specialty…

Then, we moved on to the sub. It was a bit chilly down there, so no one was there for long.

Then… craziness! How chilly was Philippe?? Pretty chilly!!!

What a blast, we had! Thanks for being my buddy, David J.!

Bottom Time: 54 mins.
Max. Depth: 54′
Water Temp.: 55F

Steve, Frankie, and Christian were doing their DPV stuff, while all of this shenaniganry was going on!

Christian and Steve…

I think Christian is happy with his new suit!

Frankie Boy!

Such a great group of guys!

See you back in March, under the ice!


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Some Fundies Goodness

29 07 2013

Saturday, July 27th & Sunday, July 28th, 2013 ~ 

Another weekend of Fundies Goodness. Jen and I ran the grid line, blew a surface marker for the initial descent line, and took turns filming.

Saturday 
Total In-Water Time: 2 hours, 30 mins.
Max. Depth: 38′
Water Temp.: 71F

Sunday
Total In-Water Time: 2 hours, 3 mins.
Max. Depth: 37′
Water Temp.: 71F

Me…

Jen…

Heison was also visiting on Saturday, and had his fancy Diver Guy, with him!

Sasha, Steve, and Chris!

…and of course, diving is serious business, right??? 😛

Heison took some shots, too. I managed to save his scooter from a solo rock wall descent, even though he thought that I took it from him. 😀

Gorgeous day for Scuba School!


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Let’s Go Swimming… Through?

14 07 2013

Saturday, July 13th, 2013 ~

Steve and Dave were running through some skills, so I joined Christian for a dive! I brought my camera with me, too.

We had a nice, easy swim out to the plane, where we saw Steve and Dave. We hung out for a bit, waved, then carried on. Christian was going to show me a little swim-through… A swim-through?? In the quarry?? Whaaa???

Yes… Apparently, this does exist, and I had absolutely no idea. Ok, it’s not like swimming through a cave, or even part of a nice, tropical reef area, but… you can swim under a rock, in the quarry! This still fascinates me, that I had no idea it was there!

Thank you for showing it to me, Christian!

Not far from the swim-through..

A neat box, from when the quarry was in use. I wonder what it was for?

On our way back up to the boat…

Christian, swimming through the boat, and a random diver in the background…

Dave and Steve – Valve Drills!

Bottom Time: 54 mins.
Max. Depth: 100′
Water Temp.: 39F (at 100′, below a few thermoclines)

After our dive, Christian had a collection of goodies, for us! Some fresh bagels, vegan cream cheese, apples, and a collection of nuts and berries, and a taste of dark chocolate. What an awesome surprise! Thanks again, Christian!

What a fun day!

Steve, looking for the froggy, that was making a lot of noise…

Here… froggy, froggy!

Steve and Dave, after their dive!

Dave is such a happy fellow!

What a great day!


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