New Year's Dive: How Many Of You Participated?

[Norm]

Four of us did it locally. I have made New Year's Day dives for years. I have always wanted to be u/w at midnight but never had any "takers". This year, three other divers wanted to join me and one diver wanted to tag along and 'watch' - so he became our official photographer. Four of us 'wetsuited-it' because the water is still 49 degrees F, although the air was 9 degrees F. Upon suiting up, (remember the Stupid Things You Do Poll?), I realized I had no hood to wear! Not willing to pass up this opportunity I donned a wool toboggan and hit it. We were u/w when midnight clicked over and it was wonderful. After exiting the water I was on my way to the van and as I placed my mitted hand on a guardrail.....it STUCK! As I was doffing my gear I dropped my toboggan, ("hood"), onto the bumper and it too STUCK. I had to pour water on it to get it loose! We drank hot chocolate, (some drank some George Dickle), as we toasted in the New Year. The air was frigid but there were some warm. hearty divers there. A good time was had by all. I hope some of you had good dives as well. I wish you all a safe year of diving.
Norm

 

[Rick Murchison]

Not a tradition at all down here in the LA (Lower Alabama) hinterlands. Don't know of anyone making a dive yesterday.
2" of fresh snow this morning. It's beautiful and should all melt before any shovelling is required.
Rick

 

[Walter]

Norm, check out http://www.scubaboard.com/t5099/s.html

 

[mikerault]

The Lake Lanier Loonies id one today, 9 of dove an equal mix of wet and dry. Air temp 55, water temp 47. Good time and great food afterward.

Mike

 

[Toolbox-13]

I dove the West Branch of the Susquehanna River today with a group of 8 friends. Water was 36 degrees, vis was kinda poor and the current was swift and it was a great dive. I dove a 7mm farmer John wetsuit and had 40 min bottom time. 2 of the local news stations covered it so we will be on the news today...
What a great way to break in the New Year. Hope ya'll have a great 2006

 

[matt_unique]

We did a shore dive today in Gloucester - 39 degree water temp.

--Matt

 

[DivingCRNA]

Me too. Dove the local quarry/lake. Only one other guy from our club showed up. We buddied with one of the club guy's tech acquaintences.

They were in double on ean (32%) with dry suits. I was in my brand new 7 mm one peice on ean (32%) with a single AL80. I did have my new black DIRish mask. It was awesome-no leaks, VERY comfortable.

BTW-Not that it makes you cool, or anything... But there were LOTS of BP/W at the quarry today. I guess if you are fanatical enough to do that set-up you will dive when it is cold.

Air temp-63 (very warm for around here) Surface temp-50. Temp at 90 feet-45. 23 minutes of bottom time. 5-10 foot visibility. Boats, airplane, and beer cans. There are caverns, but we skipped them because they were gonna be silted by other divers we heard planning to dive them.

It was a GREAT dive and I thoroughly enjoyed myself! I hope y'all had as much fun!

 

[Mustangfreak]

I'm doing my 9th and 10th dives today (monday)

 

[SwimJim]

Air temp-63 (very warm for around here) Surface temp-50. Temp at 90 feet-45.

We call that mid June around where I dive. For me it was air temp 39 surface 39 and 35 at 120 feet. We dove a local schooner thats been down since 1868. The Northerner for ya'll locals. She sits upright on the bottom in 135 fow. She looks like she's still sailing. Viz was pretty decent today, about sixty feet. The Lawyer fish were acting like they brought the new year in right. Pretty sluggish. The near freezing water may have had something to do with that.

Jim

 

[Cokedude]

About 50 of us dove Humber bay(Toronto) in lake Ontario today ,air temp 35f water temp 33f we had a great time and raised some money for charity .All in all a good way to start the NewYear. Paul