Dive Report - Hudson grotto (and another diver wanders towards the dark side)

[DiveBandit]

Dove the Hudson Grotto yesterday with Kathy and Louis. Louis has no problems with this dive site, however Kathy was only on dive #6 since open water class. We weren't sure we'd even get her in the water as the grotto is deep, dark, and as one dive master I know likes to say, "It sucks the light out of your canister lights". It definitely could be considered intimidating to a new diver.

First dive, Louis and I took the video camera down to the bottom at 108 feet. We swam from the platform along the "gold line" (it's actually white) all around the grotto floor (Video to come). They have some boats, at least 2 vans, and assorted other things down there for your viewing enjoyment. After reviewing the footage post dive I can say that the things I learned since the last time I tried to video tape what is essentially a cave dive really worked wonders. I might actually admit to shooting this tape

Second dive, got Kathy all suited up and Louis and I escorted a reluctant wide eye'd diver to the 20 foot platform. What a trooper. She was a bit nervous but she wanted to do it, so with me in front and Louis behind, down we went. Turns out she really enjoyed it. She had a great time swimming around at the 20 foot platform and then ventured down to the 40 foot platform (Video to come on this too). After about 27 minutes we surfaced and Kathy's first sentence was " i want to see whats on the walls" So not wanting to discourage her, back down we went. Swam over to the 20 foot platform and then down to the line on the wall at 35 feet. Kathy swam the entire perimeter and looked upset there wasn't more to see (awesome considering she had said days earlier she wasn't even getting in the water here). She really got a kick out of rubbing budda's belly

Not wanting to push my luck or a new diver, we ended the day after that dive. While packing the gear into the truck I felt my dive budget expand as Kathy said she now wanted to see the bottom, and that maybe that whole cavern cave thing wasn't so bad after all.

Another one slowly wanders towards the dark side...

 

[diveman3]

Funny how peoples minds can change so quick, in a a good way, especially in scuba diving..Glad you had fun..

 

[eandiver]

now if we can just get Henry Morgan to go.........

 

[Missdirected]

Dave that is the best stuff I've heard in a long time. Tell Kathy I am here cheering for her Hell's teeth, if she is diving, I'd even go to the grotto

BTW, don't you dare let her think the stuff on the wall is interesting :no... The ocean is interesting

Now does this mean Kathy and I can take the boat to the ocean and let you and Louis noodle in the holes???????????

Oh yeah, no corrupting of this virgin :evil: That means you too EAN

 

[DiveBandit]

Hey, If the weather holds out, you can splash with her this coming weekend on the M60 tanks and Veterans reef. Looks like I will probably have an opening. If the weather is bad and you still want to splash, I'll probably be taking her to the Grotto or Ginnie.

 

[eandiver]

I don't corrupt.......I enlighten.

In a dark sort of way.

 

[Missdirected]

I don't corrupt.......I enlighten.

Dave and EAN, I am seeing Kathleen right now like a rag dog. Or perhaps with an angel and devil on either side of her shoulder :wink1:

 

[eandiver]

so which am I?

 

[hounddog]

hudson grotto is a very good training ground for anyone that wants to become a better diver within themselves.......why do i say that well it gives you all the elements you need to become better to adapting to situations that happen underwater..if you can handle the grotto you can handle the gulf...i take my hat off to anyone that says they have dived the bottom of hudson grotto....it teaches you the true meaning of a compass if you apply it........!

ty

 

[DiveBandit]

Well since I'm land locked recovering from the Gallbladder Op, I finally had time to edit and publish the video I promised in October.

As bad as it may look, it accurately depicts the conditions on the bottom of the Grotto.

There is a windows media version and a quicktime version for the apple freaks like Eandiver

video link: Full Spectrum Diving

EDIT: In case your wondering about the makeup of the bottom and how easy it is to poof the vis, about 50 seconds into the video you'll see what looks like an underwater explosion of the bottom, all from one hand swipe!