Jay_SMART_Diver
Contributor
Ok Here's the Dive report from the Comal (Hinman Island Park) from Friday 12-31-04. My dive buddy had to cancel so I didn't get out there till about 3:00 pm. The weather was warm and partly sunny/cloudy outside temp was around 78-80. Geared up in the parking lot of the park next to a couple of lovely blond Divers 
who were already heading to the river, and also saw a few other guys already in the water. My lovely brunette girlfriend :07: showed up and shuttled me further upstream than you can get in the park, by driving me around to this RV park that is across the river (gives about 40 more yards of river and I didn't have to walk that far with all the gear on.) Dropped into about 5 feet of water and started the dive, I had added about 6 extra pounds of weight for the current and it worked great. This was almost like drift diving in Cozumel, just not as deep. The dive was effortless and the current wasn't too strong to overcome if you grabbed a rock and dumpped BC air you could hold yourself in one place. The visibility was 8-10 feet and the riverbed is mostly rock with a little covering of silt. There are quite a few piles of railroad spikes and other iron nuts and bolts from the railroad trestle that have been scattered around the riverbed. :icosm12: About halfway down the float there is a rather large tree in the middle of the river that presents itself roots first so if you make this dive pay attention. There were a couple of fishermen out that day but I had no problems with their lines. 
rofile: Marine life consisted mostly of Spotted Sunfish that hover around and tend to shadow you during the dive. I did see a couple of Rio Grande Perch, a couple of large Carp, and a Smallmouth Bass. The depth was mostly around 6 feet but the river does start getting deeper past the last set of stairs to Hinmann Island park (around 11 feet at the stairs) closer to the Dam and Tube Chute, at this deeper part the current does ease up, so swimming back to the stairs isn't too much of a chore. The water temp was 75 degrees and I wore a two peice 3mm wetsuit and was very comfortable. Dive #1 was 27 minutes with a max depth of 11 feet. Dive #2 was 13 minutes with a max depth of 8 feet. Exiting the last set of stairs and walking back to the first set of stairs wasn't too hard fully geared, and you could get possibly 4 dives out of one tank. My new digital camera and housing should be here next week so next time I'll add pictures! Easiest way to get there IH-35 to New Braunfels, Exit 187 Seguin Ave, go west on Seguin Ave to the Square of town, take the first right off the traffic circle going around the Square onto San Antonio Street. Cross the river and take the first left onto Liberty Ave. Take the first left that Y's off (past the entrance to Prince Solms Park) onto Hinman Island Dr. There is parking on the left side of the road and ramps and stairs down to the river. Happy New Year and Happy Diving!!
who were already heading to the river, and also saw a few other guys already in the water. My lovely brunette girlfriend :07: showed up and shuttled me further upstream than you can get in the park, by driving me around to this RV park that is across the river (gives about 40 more yards of river and I didn't have to walk that far with all the gear on.) Dropped into about 5 feet of water and started the dive, I had added about 6 extra pounds of weight for the current and it worked great. This was almost like drift diving in Cozumel, just not as deep. The dive was effortless and the current wasn't too strong to overcome if you grabbed a rock and dumpped BC air you could hold yourself in one place. The visibility was 8-10 feet and the riverbed is mostly rock with a little covering of silt. There are quite a few piles of railroad spikes and other iron nuts and bolts from the railroad trestle that have been scattered around the riverbed. :icosm12: About halfway down the float there is a rather large tree in the middle of the river that presents itself roots first so if you make this dive pay attention. There were a couple of fishermen out that day but I had no problems with their lines. rofile: Marine life consisted mostly of Spotted Sunfish that hover around and tend to shadow you during the dive. I did see a couple of Rio Grande Perch, a couple of large Carp, and a Smallmouth Bass. The depth was mostly around 6 feet but the river does start getting deeper past the last set of stairs to Hinmann Island park (around 11 feet at the stairs) closer to the Dam and Tube Chute, at this deeper part the current does ease up, so swimming back to the stairs isn't too much of a chore. The water temp was 75 degrees and I wore a two peice 3mm wetsuit and was very comfortable. Dive #1 was 27 minutes with a max depth of 11 feet. Dive #2 was 13 minutes with a max depth of 8 feet. Exiting the last set of stairs and walking back to the first set of stairs wasn't too hard fully geared, and you could get possibly 4 dives out of one tank. My new digital camera and housing should be here next week so next time I'll add pictures! Easiest way to get there IH-35 to New Braunfels, Exit 187 Seguin Ave, go west on Seguin Ave to the Square of town, take the first right off the traffic circle going around the Square onto San Antonio Street. Cross the river and take the first left onto Liberty Ave. Take the first left that Y's off (past the entrance to Prince Solms Park) onto Hinman Island Dr. There is parking on the left side of the road and ramps and stairs down to the river. Happy New Year and Happy Diving!!
