Humber Bay still open water

[Warren_L]

Never thought I would dive Humber bay, but did it this evening with Freefloat. Still open water despite the artic freeze we've had this week. Water was a balmy 34F, just a couple degrees warmer than solid water.
Now that's chilly!

 

[Under Michael]

Never thought I would dive Humber bay, but did it this evening with Freefloat. Still open water despite the artic freeze we've had this week. Water was a balmy 34F, just a couple degrees warmer than solid water.
Now that's chilly!

Hey Warren, what was the dive profile? Isn't Humber bay on the West end of the water front and do they keep the parking lots plowed?

 

[Warren_L]

Yes, were were in Humber Bay Park west. I don't think the lot has been plowed recently as there was a fair bit of snow on the road, but it wasn't bad getting in as it's been packed down a bit by the traffic.

It was a tricky shore entry as the rocky shore leading in was slick with a layer of ice that was covered in a few inches of snow. Once in the water, the bottom gradually drops to about 25 feet.

The dive itself was fine, just the entry/exit the hard part. Plus freezing my butt off in the parking lot getting out of my wetsuit. Should have used my drysuit. Ah well.

 

[Under Michael]

Yes, were were in Humber Bay Park west. I don't think the lot has been plowed recently as there was a fair bit of snow on the road, but it wasn't bad getting in as it's been packed down a bit by the traffic.

It was a tricky shore entry as the rocky shore leading in was slick with a layer of ice that was covered in a few inches of snow. Once in the water, the bottom gradually drops to about 25 feet.

The dive itself was fine, just the entry/exit the hard part. Plus freezing my butt off in the parking lot getting out of my wetsuit. Should have used my drysuit. Ah well.

You crazy wetsuit divers! How long were you under?

 

[Warren_L]

It was about 20 minutes or so, but we were probably in the water for close to an hour. Due to the cold, we were having some difficulties getting going.

I had used my rig earlier in the day doing a pool session with students at the shop, so my reg and BC were still damp. As soon as I set my rig up, everything stiffened up from the moisture freezing on my BC and my reg began to freeflow. The only way to loosen everything up was to get into the water to let the 34 degree water melt the 32 degree ice. Once in, I turned on the tank valve and voila, the freeflow problem was fixed and I was able to tighten my straps. Freefloat's octo holder literally froze and we had problems putting the octo in.

All told, we farted around in the water a good 20 minutes or so before going down.

Brrrr.

 

[FreeFloat]

It was about 20 minutes or so, but we were probably in the water for close to an hour. Due to the cold, we were having some difficulties getting going.

I had used my rig earlier in the day doing a pool session with students at the shop, so my reg and BC were still damp. As soon as I set my rig up, everything stiffened up from the moisture freezing on my BC and my reg began to freeflow. The only way to loosen everything up was to get into the water to let the 34 degree water melt the 32 degree ice. Once in, I turned on the tank valve and voila, the freeflow problem was fixed and I was able to tighten my straps. Freefloat's octo holder literally froze and we had problems putting the octo in.

All told, we farted around in the water a good 20 minutes or so before going down.

Brrrr.

Yeah, I ended up just carrying the fool octo in my hand. >( Can't wait til I get MY regs. Then I can be done with an octo and holder.

It was a good dive, I learned to use my wing's rear dump. BUT there was absolutely nothing to look at. Sorry Warren - that's the real reason I turned it a bit early. Had we found anything interesting I could've probably lasted another 10 minutes or so at least.

The after-dive coffee was good however...... yum

PS. This was in actuality my second dive of the day - I had been out freediving with a buddy earlier, same site.

 

[artw]

freefloat once you get your long hose you will never use a scumball (octo holder) again

 

[FreeFloat]

Art I don't use a 'scumball'. (That's a 'gimmick' and I don't like gimmicks). I had attached a snorkel keeper to my right shoulder D ring and I couldn't stretch it out enough with my 7mm gloves on, to get the octo's mouthpiece back inside it. But it was my fault in the first place, I had taken my octo out to get it under water during the surface swim out so it wouldn't freeflow on me.

 

[Silverback]

Sorry Warren - that's the real reason I turned it a bit early. Had we found anything interesting I could've probably lasted another 10 minutes or so at least.

You mean there was nothing at the bottom of the Humber to look at. Like maybe the kernels of corn that feed the fish and craps.. errr... ummm... I mean crabs. I guess you wouldn't be doing any practicing of "out of air drills" around there. Wouldn't want to run the risk of getting water in the regs... yum yum... chewy.... Hey I remember having that last night....


Maybe diving around Frenchmens Bay might be good to... that way when you come out you could double as a night light for a hour or two....

Silverback...

 

[Warren_L]

Just rocks and sand to look at. Viz wasn't too bad. It was nice to get wet just for the fun of it, though.