Diving Saturday 10/18

[fencingfish]

Hi Lobsta Divahs!

I was wondering if anyone is looking for a dive buddy for Saturday? I'm hoping to do a shore dive in Cape Ann tomorrow and am in need of a buddy. PM me if interested!

About me:
I'm new to the board, I'm from Hamilton, MA. I got my certification this past July through Cape Ann Divers and have been diving almost every weekend since. I am studying to be a marine biologist, so I am interested in a leisurely dive to see some cool underwater life.

 

[dave4868]

Welcome to ScubaBoard! Nice to see someone else who likes to poke around looking for critters!

I'm going to pass on this weekend, but I hope to get down there the following weekend if conditions look real promising (it's a long drive....). I'd be happy to buddy up sometime.

By the way, have you checked out the MetroWest dive club's "Date at 8"? Several club members generally show up each Saturday morning at 8am at the Burger King on Rt 128 in Beverly. They decide where to go that day for a shore dive in the Cape Ann area. Great bunch that always welcomes newcomers.

MetroWest Dive Club

I think the vis will be poor this weekend, but please post a report if you go!

Good luck!

Dave C

 

[adambisi]

Also check out the North Shore Frogmen website as well!

The club has meetings Thursday evening starting at 8 PM at the Beverly Golf & Tennis Club, 134 McKay Street, Beverly, MA.

Sunday dives usually meet at 8am at the Burger King on 128. Members get together for dives at all times during the week.

 

[reefseal]

Hi Lobsta Divahs!

I was wondering if anyone is looking for a dive buddy for Saturday? I'm hoping to do a shore dive in Cape Ann tomorrow and am in need of a buddy. PM me if interested!

About me:
I'm new to the board, I'm from Hamilton, MA. I got my certification this past July through Cape Ann Divers and have been diving almost every weekend since. I am studying to be a marine biologist, so I am interested in a leisurely dive to see some cool underwater life.

Did you get out Sat AM? If so, do post what the conditions were like I would have like to have gone out as well but had too much going on. Too bad the conditions aren't looking good rest of the weekend.

As a youth, I really wanted to be a Marine Biologist. It was the Undersea world of J. Cousteau that got me hooked. I must not have wanted it enough as I was terrible in High School Biology. I figured out that I just wanted to Scuba dive really bad. Saved up my paper route $ and got certified during high school. I was fortunate as lived near the coast and dove every chance I could. At the time, it was off Palos Verdes, Catalina Island, Redondo Beach.

A couple years ago, there was a Marine Biology Student doing her open water on a Cape Ann Divers Charter. The poor thing was so green on the boat, she was questioning if it was a good career choice. Hopefully, she overcame her sea sickness.

you'll find plenty of divers to join you on this board. I met many great dive buddies and learned about all the sites in New England. it's really cool to try out a new site you have never dove before with someone to guide you.

 

[fencingfish]

haha, reefseal, you just described my check out dive! I always get the "but you hate boats!" remarks to my career aspirations.

Thank you all for the advice, I will definitely check out those orgs next time I'm searching for a buddy.

I did end up getting out this morning at Niles Beach. The water looked very choppy at other locations. Niles was really sheltered, no wind, no waves, very silty though. Still great dives, lots of neat critters: newly hatched skates, juvenile flounder, young squirrel hake. Water temperature was 53F. Visibility was below average for what I've seen shore diving off cape ann. Around 10' for most of the dive, sometimes it would get dark and cloudy and drop to less. A couple times the sun came out and the silt settled and it was spectacular 15-20'.

 

[dave4868]

haha, reefseal, you just described my check out dive! I always get the "but you hate boats!" remarks to my career aspirations.

Thank you all for the advice, I will definitely check out those orgs next time I'm searching for a buddy.

I did end up getting out this morning at Niles Beach. The water looked very choppy at other locations. Niles was really sheltered, no wind, no waves, very silty though. Still great dives, lots of neat critters: newly hatched skates, juvenile flounder, young squirrel hake. Water temperature was 53F. Visibility was below average for what I've seen shore diving off cape ann. Around 10' for most of the dive, sometimes it would get dark and cloudy and drop to less. A couple times the sun came out and the silt settled and it was spectacular 15-20'.

You will definitely be an asset as a buddy! I'd love to see a newly hatched skate, which I don't think I've ever seen. Do they look like the adults, but in miniature?

Dave C

 

[reefseal]

I had a serious problem with sea sickness when I started diving. Somehow I've had many of dive charter and vacations where would end up doing the big spit. I even yuked in my reg once as I was ascending. It just came up unexpectedly. (why I now never rent a reg..) The other divers thought someone had brought a can of cheeze wiz to feed to fish. I know, too much information..

Fortunately, I overcame it as I got older. Wonder if I just outgrew it. I now know to look at the horizon, stay away from back, away Diesel fumes. Triptone works best.

Glad you go to get out. good to know we have oceanographers and Marine Biologists amongst us to explain things to us.

 

[fencingfish]

Wow, that makes me look at rental regs differently....

The young skates look exactly like the adults but they're only a couple of inches long. And the fins are translucent they're so thin. They're very mellow too. Here's a picture of one from today.

 

[SkuaSeptember]

Great picture! I've never noticed a juvenile skate before. Thanks for sharing that.

 

[ScubaSarus]

Excellent find and picture. Did you use a strobe ?