DSJ
Guest
Hello to everyone I met at Gilboa this last weekend! I'm not sure all of who I met except Chad and Big_T2538, but it was great to see everyone.
I wasn't aware of the planned trip before I went, as my purpose was to get bouyancy training from Mike Ferrara before I head to Bonaire on Friday. I haven't been out in the cold before, and as I drive into Ohio and hit a snowstorm I'm wondering just what I'm getting myself into. Jumping into the water in the winter is just the sort of thing my mother told me never to do. Still, I decided not to turn around because I wanted the training. I am glad I did, despite diving a wetsuit in 33 degree air temps. Mike got me horizontal in the water on the second dive and it was SO MUCH more comfortable. It's a wonder so few people actually teach this. Mike then laid out a line course for me to swim and I managed a decent job of it, staying horizontal and using the modified frog, and turning in place for the tight corners he put in. It was FUN! I haven't mastered the backwards kick, but Mike watched and gave me a critique (I'm not keeping the bend in my ankle). Now that I know what it should feel like, I am confident I can weight and trim myself in Bonaire, especially as I'll have less suit to deal with. I did stir up a tiny bit of silt when I let my legs straighten out once, but all in all, I can say I didn't blow out the quarry. At the end of the dive on Sunday I watched as an OW class descended on the bus. I watched and all I could see were hanging almost vertical when they slowed down. I didn't stick around to see if they would blow the vis out completly as I was chilling out, but I gained an new appreciation for proper trim and control. I am thankful for this board for both alerting me to the need for more training, and the way to find someone to help me out.
I also gained a real appreciation for diving dry. Not only did those folks stay warm through the dive, but they also had a MUCH easier time between dives. I had make a quick dash to the shower after getting out, strip down, dress, and warm up before reversing the process for the second dive. Those in dry suits just opened up and tossed on a jacket if they needed it. It makes me seriously consider buying one for my Michigan/Ohio diving.
Gilboa is the best quarry I have dove so far. Beautifull entries, neat stuff to see, and great visibility (before being mucked up). The view along the wall is spectacular. I still have my last air fill token, so I'll have to go back in the spring to use it up
David
I wasn't aware of the planned trip before I went, as my purpose was to get bouyancy training from Mike Ferrara before I head to Bonaire on Friday. I haven't been out in the cold before, and as I drive into Ohio and hit a snowstorm I'm wondering just what I'm getting myself into. Jumping into the water in the winter is just the sort of thing my mother told me never to do. Still, I decided not to turn around because I wanted the training. I am glad I did, despite diving a wetsuit in 33 degree air temps. Mike got me horizontal in the water on the second dive and it was SO MUCH more comfortable. It's a wonder so few people actually teach this. Mike then laid out a line course for me to swim and I managed a decent job of it, staying horizontal and using the modified frog, and turning in place for the tight corners he put in. It was FUN! I haven't mastered the backwards kick, but Mike watched and gave me a critique (I'm not keeping the bend in my ankle). Now that I know what it should feel like, I am confident I can weight and trim myself in Bonaire, especially as I'll have less suit to deal with. I did stir up a tiny bit of silt when I let my legs straighten out once, but all in all, I can say I didn't blow out the quarry. At the end of the dive on Sunday I watched as an OW class descended on the bus. I watched and all I could see were hanging almost vertical when they slowed down. I didn't stick around to see if they would blow the vis out completly as I was chilling out, but I gained an new appreciation for proper trim and control. I am thankful for this board for both alerting me to the need for more training, and the way to find someone to help me out.
I also gained a real appreciation for diving dry. Not only did those folks stay warm through the dive, but they also had a MUCH easier time between dives. I had make a quick dash to the shower after getting out, strip down, dress, and warm up before reversing the process for the second dive. Those in dry suits just opened up and tossed on a jacket if they needed it. It makes me seriously consider buying one for my Michigan/Ohio diving.
Gilboa is the best quarry I have dove so far. Beautifull entries, neat stuff to see, and great visibility (before being mucked up). The view along the wall is spectacular. I still have my last air fill token, so I'll have to go back in the spring to use it up
David
