yeah. it's
Dive In to BSC Just got back to the house, the quarry was nice, water was blue. Damn sinus block kept me from dropping below 15 feet, but here are the numbers that I did manage to collect:
At 3:03P.M., the water temperature at the surface was 81F, and visibility was roughly 10 feet.
At 3:10, at 10 feet, the water temperature was 77F.
At that point, I surfaced, and called my dive. After surfacing to check on me, my buddy dropped down to a depth of 53 feet and reported a temperature of 48F, and poor visibility. (<10')
Visibility was not due to other divers or large classes; The entire time we were there, other divers in the water totaled 7. The staff mentioned that the lake is prone to low visibility at times, but should clear up near early July. Relative to the quarry that I usually dive, the price was a bit steep, with less accomodations. We were informed upon arrival that swimming was not allowed. Therefor, the guests with us had to rent snorkel vests in order to get in the water, despite age or water proficiency (According to the staff, this is a state law). Subsequently, the two swimmers with us had to pay to rent the vests, as well as pay the full fee that we as divers had to pay. (The total entry fee for 2 divers & 2 swimmers was $104. The mae west rentals on top of that were $5 each +tax, bringing the grand total to $114.60) I was also disappointed that you have to pay extra in order to get a map of the facility. I didn't even bother asking how much that was. Camping is also an additional fee, as is night diving.
On the plus side, the facilities were pretty damn clean. I was definitely impressed. It was also nice that there weren't a million other people running around either. Although I did not use the service, they also have air available on site, as well as a "Fully Equipped & Professionally Staffed" service center, and a "Complete Line of Rentals."
Also, while they advertise depths of up to 120', diving in the deep side of the quarry is closed. Current max depths reflected on the flyer are '85, with the deepest part being located at 90', where a boat can be seen. Perhaps I will make a subsequent trip up here when it is warmer to at least have a second experience, as I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps my experience will be completely different next time.
Please note that I do not know these people, nor have I ever been to this quarry before. My experience could very well have been skewed by the lack of diving due to personal health issues, relative expense and poor visibility. This was, however, my experience, and that is what I wish to convey.
I'm headed to Bainbridge this weekend for Father's Day, anyone been up there this season that can tell me what water temp/viz is looking like? Never been...What's worth seeing there? Also, any nitrox divers trust filling your bottles there, or anyone ever had an issue with bad air ruining cleaned steels? Also, if anyone is going to be there, let me know. Perhaps we can catch up for some diving.
