7/24/2006 - Sunday Morning at the Poo Pipe - Such a beaufitul dive!
Even though there had been big seas, blowy winds and decent rain, I decided to chance it and do a muck dive with my old instructor and a pupil.
And I am so pleased I did.
For those who haven't heard about the poo pipe you can check it out here.
Just before low tide, we clamboured down the rocks and into the seaway. I lost my balance and half fell in - a little embarassing but cute none the less.
where I discovered I have lost a fair bit of flexibility in the past three months - and being in my winter suit vs my summer suit really affected my ability to get my fins on without looking like a total newbie. A diver from another group yelled out "over here cinderella" and proceeded to put my fins on for me. A little embarassing but very cute none the less.
I have also gained some weight - and couldn't get under without going down head first. A little embarassing, but cute none the less... right?
We I finally get down dolphin kicking without my old instructor having to pull me under and then it hits me - I AM DIVING AGAIN AFTER THREE MONTHS!!! THIS IS SO INCREDIBLE!
I was sooooo overwhelmed by it all - I am suprised I didn't hyperventilate all my air in 20 mins - it was fantastic! The vis was at approximately 12m but there was SOOOO much to see. I guess when you dive a spot a lot you get sensatised to it all, but after a break when you drop back in - WOW.
We decided to do the Eastern pipe as there were some other dive groups there at the westen pipe. So we scooted up there pulling ourselves along the bottom. At the end of the pipe there was the biggest school of trevally I had ever seen. The sun was shining so bright that the water was shimmering in the silver reflections off the fish. I was so gobsmacked I forgot to take a photo. Seriously, how could I have forgotten just how beautiful it is there.
We had masses of air left after 30 mins down, Pete (instructor) decided we were going manta spotting. This involves heading east another 60m or so to a rock outcrop which is a cleaning station. Unfortunately, they were at church, so we were manta and eagle rayless, but it was still killer with all the other fish we saw.
On the way, I also scored a USDivers mask that had been lost by someone. The strap had snapped, so once I get it repaired, I will have a very very nice backup mask. It is blue though - but hey - who cares - it was FREE!
We finished up back at the Western (main pipe) for some fish feeding for our safety stop. Well the Queensland Blues were in abundance and more than happy to show off. Unfortuantely, my sinuses started to hurt, so I cut my safety stop short and headed up. All in all a fantastic dive... But I did forget that during winter it is imperative to fill up the thermas with hot tea because it is friggin cold when you get out of your wettie.
Details:
Air Temp: 15C
Water Temp: 19C
Vis: 12M
Air In: 210
Air Out: 50
Time In: 0705
Time Out: 0806
| 
