Lake Rawlings, 2/20/05

[jeadiver]

Hey folks:

I thought I would head down to Lake Rawlings on Sunday, February 20th for a couple of tanks of diving. I really need to get out in that drysuit of mine this year and thought some of y'all might like to join me. I figured we could meet up around 10:00am and do a couple of dives. I'll even bring my grill so we grill up some dogs or something for lunch. I've also posted this out in the Midatlantic Bottom Feeders group to see if anyone from there would like to meet up. I've always enjoyed Rawlings this time of year, not crowded and easy to get around. Let me know if you're interested, I can also make arrangements for tanks if someone needs them.

 

[suthnbelle]

Hey folks:

I thought I would head down to Lake Rawlings on Sunday, February 20th for a couple of tanks of diving. I really need to get out in that drysuit of mine this year and thought some of y'all might like to join me. I figured we could meet up around 10:00am and do a couple of dives. I'll even bring my grill so we grill up some dogs or something for lunch. I've also posted this out in the Midatlantic Bottom Feeders group to see if anyone from there would like to meet up. I've always enjoyed Rawlings this time of year, not crowded and easy to get around. Let me know if you're interested, I can also make arrangements for tanks if someone needs them.

Joe,

Geez, I'd love to join you but I dive wet and I'm wondering if I could handle getting out of a cold quarry into the freezing air. It was 17F when I was headed to work this morning! What are the water temps at Rawlings? Also, will anyone be diving wet that may join you?

Mel

 

[jeadiver]

Hi Mel:

A couple of folks may be diving wet, the water at Rawlings is not usually too cold because the water is spring fed from the bottom of the lake. The coldest I've seen it was 45F last winter, but I would suspect it could vary a bit based on air temps. If you do decide to come and dive wet, make sure you have enough thermal (I last dove it wet with a 7MM farmer john & step through jacket, 5mm hood, 5mm gloves) and bring some warm water in a thermos. I poured warm water down the back of my wetsuit to help keep me warm before each dive and it really seemed to help. I plan on a fire (plenty of wood around there) and a gas grill with maybe a pot of something warm to drink.

Would love to have you there, but certainly understand if you opt to skip it. 17 is a bit out of the ordinary for us, but (as you noted) it does happen. Usually the temps are in the 30-40F range.

Joe.

Joe,

Geez, I'd love to join you but I dive wet and I'm wondering if I could handle getting out of a cold quarry into the freezing air. It was 17F when I was headed to work this morning! What are the water temps at Rawlings? Also, will anyone be diving wet that may join you?

Mel

 

[suthnbelle]

Hi Mel:

A couple of folks may be diving wet, the water at Rawlings is not usually too cold because the water is spring fed from the bottom of the lake. The coldest I've seen it was 45F last winter, but I would suspect it could vary a bit based on air temps. If you do decide to come and dive wet, make sure you have enough thermal (I last dove it wet with a 7MM farmer john & step through jacket, 5mm hood, 5mm gloves) and bring some warm water in a thermos. I poured warm water down the back of my wetsuit to help keep me warm before each dive and it really seemed to help. I plan on a fire (plenty of wood around there) and a gas grill with maybe a pot of something warm to drink.

Would love to have you there, but certainly understand if you opt to skip it. 17 is a bit out of the ordinary for us, but (as you noted) it does happen. Usually the temps are in the 30-40F range.

Joe.

In my excitement to go diving I totally disregarded the date. That is the weekend the NC club will be diving at Florida Springs. I would definitely enjoy meeting up with you all sometime and dive Rawlings. We actually have a group dive planned for March 19th. Some of the NC folks will be heading that way. Maybe we could just plan one big group dive that weekend.

 

[jeadiver]

In my excitement to go diving I totally disregarded the date. That is the weekend the NC club will be diving at Florida Springs. I would definitely enjoy meeting up with you all sometime and dive Rawlings. We actually have a group dive planned for March 19th. Some of the NC folks will be heading that way. Maybe we could just plan one big group dive that weekend.

Mel:

I saw that it was on the same weekend, but thought someone who wasn't able to go to FLA might be interested. The springs will definitely be better than the quarry, I hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[Jason B]

Make sure you call before arriving as they are not open for the season yet until Mar19.

Jason

 

[jeadiver]

Make sure you call before arriving as they are not open for the season yet until Mar19.

Jason

I know. It doesn't make any sense to call more than a week ahead, everytime I have done that they've forgotten about me or lost the information. 2 years ago I made arrangements to meet some folks and when we got there the gates were locked and I couldn't contact anyone. Since then I call a week ahead and then again the day before.

 

[Jason B]

I know. It doesn't make any sense to call more than a week ahead, everytime I have done that they've forgotten about me or lost the information.

All good...I just wanted to make sure you were aware that they do closer for the winter.
I would join you guys myself but I'm going on the same trip Suthnbelle mentioned, hope you guys have a good dive.

On a side note, a bunch of us from the NC Wreck Divers will be diving Lake Rawlings on Mar 19 so if you guys are up for it come on out and let's do some diving then!

Jason

 

[Errol Duplessis]

Lake Rawlings hired an Assistant General Manager to handle off-season diving requests, but you do need to call 24-48 hours in advance. Make sure the reservation is confirmed by Scott, don't just show up at the gate. Scott is a professional, and he does handle matters of this nature very efficiently. What happened two years ago is no longer a player; the individuals who worked at Lake Rawlings then are no longer with the company. Also, did you know that Lake Rawlings put up a warming station near the lake to change from street clothes to dive gear, and vice-versa?

 

[jeadiver]

Hey Erol,

Nice to hear from you again. Scott was very much the professional and was there during the entire time. I enjoyed myself a great deal, water temps were 48F on the surface, 45F at 60 ft. Visibility (as always this time of year) was wonderful.

The warming station is pretty cool, but I actually thought it was put up by Lynhaven (they beat us to the lake on Sunday) and didn't know it was put up for general use. Next time I will know, and I will pass this along to the other guys at the shop (Da and Tim).

Maybe I'll see the NC Wreck Divers on the 19th, I'm trying to work out my schedule.