Kayak Dive Trip - Copenhagen Wreck, Pompano Beach

[hectorj84]

Anyone interested in kayaking to the Copenhagen Wreck in Pompano Beach? It is about 750 yards (less than half a mile) from the shore.

If interested, please respond to this post with dates you're available, and we'll schedule it according to the majority.


I am not penetrating any wrecks (and from what I hear this wreck could be falling apart? so I'm definitely suggesting not to even try).

About the wreck (from divespots.com):
Avg Depth: 15 ft. / 5m
Max Depth: 35 ft. / 11m
Skill Level: Novice
Features:
• Artificial Reef
• Good Snorkeling
• Marine Preserve
• Mooring Buoys
• Wreck Site
(Source: http://www.divespots.com/scuba/view.divespot?spotID=96).

I look forward to a group of safe divers to join me on this trip. I'm leaving from Pembroke Pines, so if anyone is somewhere on the way up there maybe I can pick one extra kayak up (pick up truck).

 

[Scuba_Dad]

That could be interesting. If I'm not teaching... it would be a good opportunity to try to dive from my yak.

 

[hectorj84]

Awesome Scuba_Dad! Hope to see you out there. Could you please post or PM me with when you might be available? I want to see who's interested and when they can go, so I can set a date that's good for most of the people.

 

[Scuba_Dad]

Right now I have dives scheduled on Sep 29th and Oct 13th. I also have a couple students who still haven't scheduled their O/W dives... So, don't use my schedule to plan your dive on. It changes rapidly...

 

[DebbyDiver]

I very much want to join you, but my schedule is really tight and I don't want anyone to plan around me. Go ahead and do it when you can and if I can make it, I definitely will.

Hector, won't you please come to the next Kayuba meeting? Third Monday of each month about 7:30 p.m. at UnderSeas Sports dive shop in Fort Lauderdale. That's September 17 this month, a week from tomorrow. It would be so great if you would start kayak diving with us. You could probably round up a few Copenhagen divers at the meeting! We are having a kayak/dive/picnic Sunday September 23 at John U. Lloyd State Park.

 

[hectorj84]

The reason I haven't set a date is because I'm open basically ANY day, any time. I just need one person to go w/ me (don't like to dive alone too much), but if I can get 20 people to share the trip with, that would be even better!

I am definitely joining Kayuba (the Kayak Scuba club!) LoL. I love the name. I'm going to try to make it to that meeting on the 17th and recruit several of the members to the Copenhagen trip. I was excited about last Saturday I thought I was going to dive with them in the morning but the weather messed a lot of things up for many people LoL.

 

[DebbyDiver]

Hector, I'm glad you will be at the meeting. I know I can't do the Copenhagen between now and then, so let's see when the Kayuba folks can do it and plan accordingly. They love enthusiastic new members!

 

[the gooch]

Debbie----LOL. What Kayak did you buy and what do you recommend for a solo diver with my kind of experience??? I hear Ocean Kayak is the way to go butttt with some modifications.

 

[hectorj84]

the gooch, i don't know much about the subject, but you want a space for ur tank somewhere on ur kayak. after that there's so much u can do w/ a kayak using bungees and clips (home depot). i should put pictures for what i did for a flag (very cheap) using a broom stick LoL. feel free to get creative.

but yea i have very little money so I have the Ocean Kayak the Frenzy it was like $400 in Bass Pro Shop. I couldn't find any used kayaks for sale for less than $400 so I was like I might as well get that new one. but listen to other advice. i'm new to this. i just bought the cheapest one that could carry my tank lol. it handles well in the shore with all the waves though!

i don't know if u know this, but the longer and thinner (thinner plays a role right?) the kayak the easier it is to travel long distances, but it turns slower for example when u are getting pushed around by waves and turned the other way. then the shorter the kayak the slower it is (not great for long distances) but u can turn fast and handle well in the shore for kayak surfing! lol. if the yak is flat on the bottom, it turns faster also, but if it has a U-shaped or V shaped sharp bottom then it goes straight easier and that's also good for long distances.

 

[DebbyDiver]

I don't know any Debbies who kayak dive but I'll jump in here.

I purchased an Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 Angler Edition. I can dive or fish with mine. With kayak diving you are more concerned with stability than long distances. My yak is a bit on the heavy side but it is quite stable when getting in and out of it.

I have also paddled it on longer excursions...the last one being a five hour paddle in the Keys. Even though it is heavy and not very narrow, I had no problems with it. One thing I did was spend a bit more for a good lightweight paddle. My partner Jay has a sleek yak (no tank well) and usually he can go much faster than I can, but he bought a cheap paddle and that five hour trip about killed him.

Mike, do you have time to come to that Kayuba meeting? I know you are busy with school but you would learn so much. And/or come to the picnic on September 23. That's what I did...last year Matt (R.I.P.) posted an invite to the Kayuba picnic to non-members, and I went to it and asked a bazillion questions and looked at how people's boats were rigged. Then I visited the Kayuba website and read the "Kayak Diving Tips". Then I read and posted in some kayak diving threads (here and here). And I read this website. Finally, I visited Kayak Jeff who is right in my neighborhood, and pumped Jeff and his employee Flex for information, and now I am all set up.

By the way, pretty much everyone around charges the same price for kayaks and accessories...and I like keeping the local guy in business.

PSSST...kayaking at Oleta or West Lake Park or Whiskey Creek or many other local places is a good alternative to mountain biking when the waves are too big for SCUBA.