early fall ohio diving
- Thread starter Bflem55
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Bflem55:
Early October, is still pretty warm water, it hasn't had time to start cooling off yet.
If you go to the Great Lakes Wrecking Crew forum, you can find out more, especially about our fall Meet and Greet at Gilboa 23 and 24 September. Most folks camp there for it. We also have the annual underwater pumpkin carving in late October.
White star would also be nice that time of year, but the camping isn't as convenient.
Ken
Either Gilboa or Portage are nice areas to dive and both have camping facilities. They are in North-Northwest Ohio.
http://www.divegilboa.com/
http://www.portagequarry.com/
http://www.divegilboa.com/
http://www.portagequarry.com/
Fall diving in the Midwest is actually warmer than diving in April/May. Remember that bodies of water are slower to heat up than air, and slower to cool down. I'm actually looking forward to diving through to probably mid-Nov. The air temps are cooler making doning my 7mm much more comfortable, and the water temps are still quite comfortable. Each person is different, but with my 7mm fullsuit and 5mm gloves I'm perfectly comfortable down to about 52-55 F. I need to add a hooded vest if the temps go below that.
Bflem55:
both have their days of 30-40' viz. Unfortunately, both can be like soup, too. For me, I've had better luck this summer with Gilboa.
They have separate diving sections for deep (65' +) diving while less than that is on the other side. Sort of separates the divers a bit--but I don't know if that is the real answer as to why or not??
I teach through a university rather than a shop and when I do check-out dives with my students in late November at Gilboa the staff at whatever shop they rent their wetsuit from tells them they are crazy and it's too cold to dive locally. Don't listen to that BS, the water is still nice in the fall in Ohio it's the air temperatures you have to plan for.
Keep in mind that it's ALWAYS windy at White Star, Gilboa is at least somewhat sheltered from the wind. Wind on a wet body will make you cold quickly on the surface interval.
Catalytic heaters are really nice and can be used inside a tent. I have 2 of the Coleman ProCat's that I use inside a 10'x10' "EZ-Up Shelter" that has sides. The heaters do a great job of taking the chill off in there.
Make sure to bring a jacket that reaches at least to your mid-calf or something else that's wind-proof to wear over the wetsuit between dives to keep the wind off of you. A winter hat and mittens help as well and fleece feels really good when you peel your wetsuit top off. Pack more warm clothes than you think you could possibly need and then throw in a couple extra sets for good measure. If you don't use them great, but you'll be sorry if you need them and don't have them. There is a Wal-Mart in Ottawa, not too far from Gilboa
A bit of warm water in a jug or a small cooler to pre-warm wet wetsuits/gloves/hoods/boots before putting them on for a second dive is a nice thing to have. Nothing makes you want to skip the dive and sit by the fire like pulling on cold clammy neoprene after you finally warmed up on the surface interval
I can tell you this much, my students who do their dives in November wonder why the shops insist I'm crazy for taking them diving that time of year. We practically have the quarry to ourselves, the visibility is great and the water isn't as cold as people would lead you to believe. Managing the surface interval is the most important part of late season wetsuit diving in Ohio.
Ber :lilbunny:
Keep in mind that it's ALWAYS windy at White Star, Gilboa is at least somewhat sheltered from the wind. Wind on a wet body will make you cold quickly on the surface interval.
Catalytic heaters are really nice and can be used inside a tent. I have 2 of the Coleman ProCat's that I use inside a 10'x10' "EZ-Up Shelter" that has sides. The heaters do a great job of taking the chill off in there.
Make sure to bring a jacket that reaches at least to your mid-calf or something else that's wind-proof to wear over the wetsuit between dives to keep the wind off of you. A winter hat and mittens help as well and fleece feels really good when you peel your wetsuit top off. Pack more warm clothes than you think you could possibly need and then throw in a couple extra sets for good measure. If you don't use them great, but you'll be sorry if you need them and don't have them. There is a Wal-Mart in Ottawa, not too far from Gilboa
A bit of warm water in a jug or a small cooler to pre-warm wet wetsuits/gloves/hoods/boots before putting them on for a second dive is a nice thing to have. Nothing makes you want to skip the dive and sit by the fire like pulling on cold clammy neoprene after you finally warmed up on the surface interval
I can tell you this much, my students who do their dives in November wonder why the shops insist I'm crazy for taking them diving that time of year. We practically have the quarry to ourselves, the visibility is great and the water isn't as cold as people would lead you to believe. Managing the surface interval is the most important part of late season wetsuit diving in Ohio.
Ber :lilbunny:
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