Trip report - Pompano, FL

[aquababe66]

I just returned from Pompano, FL where I completed my certification. It was awesome! I went through South Florida Dive Headquarters. They were great bunch of people. My instructor, Ed, was very patient and understanding which is a major plus to a new diver who has only been in pools. The weather was sunny and about 80 degrees everyday, the water temp was 72 and there was 40' to 50'+ visability. We dove the Nursery, the Copenhagen, the Merci Jesus and Anglin's Reef. It was just beautiful! I had many apprehensions about jumping into the ocean but it was a terrific experience all around. I am so totally hooked on diving now.

If you have the chance, I would definitely recommend using South Florida Dive Headquarters for certification or just fun diving. Not only did I get my certification (YEA!) but I had fun, saw alot of cool fish and reefs, and got ALOT of color on my face (red that is). And if you do go for your certification, ask for Ed as your instructor. He is a great person as well as a great instructor!

By the way... did I mention I got my certification? YEA ME!!! Hehehe
Now the adventure begins!!!!!

 

[SmileMon]

Congratulations!
May you have many safe and enjoying dives in your future!

 

[jsmharley]

congrats on the cert... I totally understand the excitement, my g-friend and I just got ours last Oct. Enjoy and congorats again

 

[douglasville diver]

Way to go, I'll be going next week [ St. patties day weekend] and plan on doing the aqua zoo and on south to speigel grove. This will be my second trip to the pompano area. My first was right after ow cert,and vis. was maybe 10-15 ft. Hope to see it like you did.
You sound like your hooked,welcome to the club.

 

[H20Bubbles]

Congrats! If you are ever interested in diving locally, let us know... you are just around the corner.

 

[aquababe66]

I hope you have the same visability we had too. Have fun! Wish I was going with you.

 

[aquababe66]

Congrats! If you are ever interested in diving locally, let us know... you are just around the corner.

My boyfriend (Sideband) and I will be diving Haigh Quarry alot this summer. Let us know if you are interested.

 

[jmps]

Aqua,

Congrats! I have been thinking about one of the Pompano trip through IID. I don't know much about that area so thanks for sharing your experience.

Say hi to Sideband for me. We have been talking through the boards but I have never actually met him in person. I, too, will be at Haigh this summer.

H2OBubbles - welcome back! I hope you had a good time.

 

[aquababe66]

Aqua,

Congrats! I have been thinking about one of the Pompano trip through IID. I don't know much about that area so thanks for sharing your experience.

Say hi to Sideband for me. We have been talking through the boards but I have never actually met him in person. I, too, will be at Haigh this summer.

H2OBubbles - welcome back! I hope you had a good time.

If you have the chance, take it. Pompano was great! I'll let Sideband know you said hi and I guess you'll meet him this summer at the quarry!

 

[Sideband]

Hey JMPS.
While the trip we took wasn't through IID, we did go with the guy that leads the Pompano trips for the shop. We met him down there during one of his personal jaunts that he takes several times a year. These were my first ocean dives and aside from the taste of that dang salt water I love it. I guess I could do without current as well but it can be made fun. You work your way up current close to the wreck where it is easiest, then come up into the current and fly along the top of the wreck like superman.
I will be adding, err, starting a photo gallery of some of the better pics I got from the dives. A couple were very good and some... not so much. Kind of like the picture that would have been of a giant beautiful whale shark, except for the fact that I never saw a whale shark on the trip and instead got a close-up of Lee's split fin. <shrug>

Joe

PS- Aquababe66 did Great and I'm very proud of her. Her checkouts were a lot harder than what I went through in the still, calm waters of Haigh quarry. Congrats Baby!