July 5 Cathedral Rocks dive

[AT Grimaldi]

This is not only my first post on Scubaboard, but was also my first Date at Eight with the MetroWest Dive Club [MWDC].

We agreed to dive Cathedral Rocks.

I must say that I kind of disobeyed doctor's orders by not allowing others to schlep my gear and pass my assembled Scuba rig to me once I was already in the water.

We started our first dive at low tide, making entry a challenge for me due to the fact that:

1. This was my second dive of the season
2. I just had major surgery on my GI tract.
3. Am not known for my flexibilty and was pretty overheated by the time I had my CF200 on with the 400 g undergarmet.
4. It was my first time at this location as well as the club and was a bit shy, on a scorching hot sunny day, to ask people I really didn't know to carry my steel 120s and gear down for me
5. I'm still trying to find a way to get in my dry suit without the aid of others or looking like a one armed paper hangah with too much coffee.

The dives were good. The first half of the first dive was consumed with my and my buoyancy issues of a BC and dry suit. After looking up many threads here, I seem to be right where I am supposed to be, hating the fact I just dropped $3500 for my drysuit and steel tanks. It seems in about 5, or so, more dives, things will get better.

First dive
31 minutes
48 max depth
51 degrees

Second dive
21 minutes
37 max depth
54 degrees

Saw a HUGE lobstah, in a trap of course, and wondered how the thing even go there.

The MWDC was great to dive with and very friendly.

Just thought I would introduce myself and give a report.

AT -

 

[bhapps24]

Just ask any diver with or without your group for help. Any diver would prefer to know as much as possible about there buddy. You are our lifeline should something go wrong as well as us being yours. We are a very social group of people as i found out a month ago. I saw someone need batteries for thier light and my dive buddy took them from his backup for the other diver who just happed to be diving the same location not in our group. I'm not trying to pick on you I'm just letting you know were all here to help each other. I look forward to meeting you on one of the dives. Dive safe for you and your buddy.

 

[reefseal]

you experienced one of best sites on Cape Ann (in my opinon)

A few of us dove Cath Rocks yesterday afternoon during high tide. It was great to get in. I had to get in immediately after putting on wetsuit it was so hot.

I don't know how you can dive w/ a DUI CF200 AND your 400 G divewear. I have a CF200 and at this time of year, am ok w/ Bergalene skiwear (for wicking sweat off me) and Fleece top.

Cath rocks is best at high tide. Climbing out at Low tide is tough as rocks are slippery, covered w/ algea/moss and seaweed.

What I like to do is snorkle out SE to where depth is 20-25 feet. Continue SE until get to where rocks end and hit sand. (At 60-80 feet now )then head South and experience canyons, valleys, channels, big hugh boulders w/ overhangs. Lots of big bugs, good fish sightings (Ocean Pout, Sculpin, Flounder/Fluke) Then head back NW to entry point. (Sort of Triangle)

Still cold this even at this time of year. (45 ish at depth)

Only part that sucks is climb up after dive. If town would only put in an escalator for us?

lf

 

[LUBOLD8431]

SOunds like something that went wrong with your p valve....

LOL...

Anyways, I'm glad you had a good dive AT. Let me know when you are going next time... I'll go with you...

You can be my wing man anytime.....

 

[element]

Gratz on your first Date @ 8 AT Grim. You should never be afraid to ask for help. Hell, I can't even zip my dry suit closed by myself . Not sure if you have been to it yet but you should try go to the MWDC club meeting this tuesday at the Crown Plaza in Framingham across from Natick Mall.

 

[Spectre]

reefseal once bubbled...
I don't know how you can dive w/ a DUI CF200 AND your 400 G divewear.

I can't imagine it. I was dying in my 200 weight yesterday. But the dip to cool my legs down while I finished suiting up helped.

Nice sig reefseal! I was planning on donating to the fund but it slipped my mind [as did the location of my keys]. I'll owe you a couple of beers.

 

[notabob]

Welcome ATG! Glad to hear you had a great day of diving. Cathedral really is one of the best, if not THE best shore site on Cape Ann. And please don't be shy in the future to ask for help. Many of us have been in similar situations before and know what it can feel like and are glad to help out. We'd much rather have you in the water with us than on a stretcher

Hope to see you at the MWDC meeting this Tue. eve! We got a gentleman showing video of the Red Sea that he shot recently.

-Roman.