Sarnia Charters

[scubacandd]

Does anyone know of charters running out of Sarnia? Is there a fill station there yet? It has been 10 plus years since doing my open water course there and I was just wondering if the diving community has started to recover in the city.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

You won't recognize the place. The CSL docks are gone and they have dumped big stones all along the shoreline. They extend the shoreline out into the water another 10 ft. It's all private property now except for the paved sidewalk along the shoreline. They plan on building water front condo's along there. You have to park in the chip wagon parking lot and haul your gear down to where you want to dive. Go see Kevin at Play It Again Sports in the mall, he has set up a small scuba section in his store. So I would say that diving is almost dead in Sarnia.

 

[scubacandd]

Thanks for the info I aprriciate it. I really loved doing the superman dive there five wrecks in one dive without having to kick was awesome. Hopefully there will be a change of heart in the area.

 

[ontario-diver]

We still dive the area quite a bit, mostly the sydney smith for classes but we dive weekly during the summer at Port Lambton and sometimes Courtright or Sombra. Our group is out of Chatham.

 

[CDNScubaMoose]

The Sarnia Underwater club is still active and have meetings once a month. But their challenges have already been mentioned (CSL docks changing and no air fills).

Closest air fill stations would be London or Chatham (although I think some of the member of the Sarnia club have made arrangements to get fills at the local fire department). Other option would be to go across the bridge to Port Huron but with all the cross border shopping the lines can be a bit long.

As for charters - they still do occur (actually I think there was a charter planned for yesterday out of Sarnia on a working fishing boat - I'll let you imagine the unique aroma that may have occured). I believe the Port Huron store is also active in the charters so they might be able to help you as well.

If you are looking for contact info - PM and I'll supply you with some contact info for some of the Sarnia Underwater Club members.

 

[maj2]

Last time I was in Sarnia ( couple of years ago), we got fills out at the airport. There was a big dive flag sign on the side of the building. Is that fill station still there?

 

[diver_paula]

This may not be the most ideal situation but you can charter out of the US and dive the same wrecks. It's not always the easiest - you'll probably need to charter the whole boat to make sure to do the Sarnia wrecks. One charter operator I know will go is Garyl Venet at Rec & Tec. Rec and Tec Scuba Dive Charters - Lexington Michigan, Thumb area Preserve, Sanilac Preserve

Bruno's dive shop will probably go as well. brunosdiveshop.com

Paula - a Sarnia charter lover!

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

Last time I was in Sarnia ( couple of years ago), we got fills out at the airport. There was a big dive flag sign on the side of the building. Is that fill station still there?

That was Cliff at Airport Scuba. He doesn't do air fills anymore.

 

[rickydazla]

Bruno's dive shop will probably go as well

Yes we will! Bruno's Dive Shop

 

[ryshannon]

Chris @ Willies & Karls Auto repair runs a charter to the unknown wreck,Charles Price & Wexford. You would have to call him to see if he has any room. You can get air filled at HSE on Confederation st. The problem with them is they are not open on weekends. Nitrox is either London or Port Huron. Clair Webb closed his dive shop at the airport a couple of years ago and Kevin @ play it again Sports in the Mall has some rentals and equipment. The Sarnia Underwater Club meets Friday 6:30 pm at the southern chip wagon in the parking lot for the Friday night dives. our website is currently down but you can still reach some of our members. The river has changed in the last couple of years some like it and others don't, Once you get use to the change you will find it better. We go in at the monument and drift the barge, Monarch then leave the stern and you can end up at the CSL docks to catch the eddy north and after the old Monarch plate you will hit the 2nd & Third plate just north of the third plate come up and you are back at the monument.