First day at Dutch

[maniago]

Thanks to everyone who has answered questions I've had about Dutch Springs. Today was an excellent day - not a cloud in the sky, calm winds, clear waters (well, better than Rappahannock by factor of 10) and no more than half-dozen people in the water if that. Maybe 20 total there. Stayed at Comfort Inn for $67 - bit wierd to find, but figured it out. Nice enough place, clean, and decent breaky for the morn.

Spent alot of the time just off the stairs, getting our new tanks and buoyancy figured out, then just played around the platforms. But that was the point of this trip. Nice and easy.

Going back next weds if the stars align properly. As we left, they did tell us that season passes would go on sale next month, no pricing tho.

Thanks again!

 

[cannon fodder]

Yeah, the worst thing about Dutch is waddling down to the platform with tanks, weights, wetsuit, etc. in booties, down the embankment. Sorry, the worst thing is waddling back up the embankment, after the dive, with tanks, etc.

 

[manni-yunk]

Thanks to everyone who has answered questions I've had about Dutch Springs. Today was an excellent day - not a cloud in the sky, calm winds, clear waters (well, better than Rappahannock by factor of 10) and no more than half-dozen people in the water if that. Maybe 20 total there. Stayed at Comfort Inn for $67 - bit wierd to find, but figured it out. Nice enough place, clean, and decent breaky for the morn.

Spent alot of the time just off the stairs, getting our new tanks and buoyancy figured out, then just played around the platforms. But that was the point of this trip. Nice and easy.

Going back next weds if the stars align properly. As we left, they did tell us that season passes would go on sale next month, no pricing tho.

Thanks again!

I live 20 min away - but dont make it there much anymore. Usually if the weather is to bad to take the boat out - I cant find anyone that wants to go.

That being said - the season pass is a no brainer if you are going to go there and practice skills. When next years season pas goes on sale - they typically deduct the cost of that current weekends entrance...from the already low, discount pre-season price of next seasons pass. It really makes it a no brainer.

 

[00wabbit]

Swim out to the helicopter next time and descend down to it. It's pretty cool.

You can tell which one it is because it is out in the middle with large rectangular floats at the surface. The floats are holding it up. So basically just look for the floats that look big enough to hold up a huge helicopter.
We have the best luck just doing the long surface swim to it and then descending straight down on top. Can't miss it that way!

 

[herbdb]

Follow the line to the bus then swim 180 degrees from the front at 35', you can't miss it. A good navigation confidence builder. A good buddy team exercise is for the leader to watch the compass while his buddy monitors depth as they swim side by side to their objective. One is controling heading while the other controls depth.

The good thing about getting a season pass as soon as they go on sale, is that you can use them for the remainder of this year. This is helpful if you are buying daily use tickets.

 

[manni-yunk]

Follow the line to the bus then swim 180 degrees from the front at 35', you can't miss it. A good navigation confidence builder. A good buddy team exercise is for the leader to watch the compass while his buddy monitors depth as they swim side by side to their objective. One is controling heading while the other controls depth.

The good thing about getting a season pass as soon as they go on sale, is that you can use them for the remainder of this year. This is helpful if you are buying daily use tickets.

This is really good advice.

When we were practice underwater nav - we would plot a course from the platform using little to no underwater ropes for nav - and try to go from structure to structure on a heading, then make it back to the starting point. Also - underwater swims from a platform in a direction until the end - then, turn around and see if you can land on your starting point.


Lots of ways to make dutch fun while you practice!

 

[maniago]

We naved out to the platforms kind of haphazardly, but compassed back to the stairs later on. It was baby steps, but we found them - right where we left 'em! Amazing

 

[00wabbit]

Follow the line to the bus then swim 180 degrees from the front at 35', you can't miss it. A good navigation confidence builder. A good buddy team exercise is for the leader to watch the compass while his buddy monitors depth as they swim side by side to their objective. One is controling heading while the other controls depth.

The good thing about getting a season pass as soon as they go on sale, is that you can use them for the remainder of this year. This is helpful if you are buying daily use tickets.

We do the opposite because we are new and run through air a bit quick. We surface swim to the helicopter then explore it and then nav to the bus and follow the lines back to the platforms. Both times I have done this I usually end up left of the bus about 15-20 feet and hit the little boat that is sunk near it.

 

[Necklinsberg]

Congrats on stepping out of your comfort zone to dive a new site.

Another suggestion would be to print out the map (search the Board for a copy) and laminate it. Frau & I still take one with us after 50+ dives there.

Viz is normally good enough there that you can follow the ropes on the various circuits yet stay above any depth limits due to your training and certification

Get the week-day pass, it is good from M - F between the Memorial Monday and Labor Day Monday. Being there during the week is nice, very few divers. There have been times that Frau & I are the only ones in the water.

 

[New Scuba Guy]

I'm one of those guys who is fortunate enough to live less than 1/2 hour away from Dutch Springs. So last year the Season Pass was a no-brainer decision. Bought mine in late September and by the middle of October it had already paid for itself. If you buy any day pass, it includes camping and night diving as well.
I've been to Dutch about 20 times this year and it's a great place to just work on skills. I too, enjoy diving mid-week: great vis, no crowds, very laid-back. If you're ever looking for a mid-week dive buddy, I'm in!:cool2: