Dive Times
Issue 55 February 2013
THE Dive Times News from below the surface at Dive Otago
Kia Ora, Welcome to Dive Otago’s first newsletter of 2013! What a cracker summer we have had here in beautiful Dunedin. We hope you have been enjoying it as much as we have and have spent as much time as possible in the water making the most of the great visibility and warm weather. Watching the hundreds of dolphins that have been frolicking up and down the coast and in the harbour makes us all feel happy to be alive! Cheers Dave and Mary One of the local girls was checking Adam out at Blackhead.
Have a Go By Emma Young
Discover Scuba Diving We have had a very busy time in the pool recently with individuals, groups and families taking up the opportunity to give diving a go for as little as $20! Well done to the Discover Scuba Diving participants from the past few months. So Congratulations to Sarah Kinsman, Renee Templeton, Alex Templeton, Anne-Sophie Page, Denis Page, Liz Lewis-Barned, Harry Lewis-Barned, Daniel King, Nick Van De Vlierd, Ramnath Goli, Pete Van De Vlierd, Kristin Nielsen, Johnny Mccallum, Raphael RichterGravier, Alex Murray, Kimberly Irteon, Damini Roy, Thomas Brash, Maxwell Westropp, Mila Aitken, Grace ApuwaBishop, Stuart Barr-Hamilton, Laura Bennet, Blaire Dobie, Christian Fottner, Lacklan Foxton-Smith, Peter Jackson, Susan Jackson, Carmen Lobb, Jacoba Maguire, Clementine Marcelis, Derek Marcelis, Patrick McNamara, Kerry
McNamara, Sandra Meissner, Adam Samson-Witana, Benedikt Schendel, Shahan Verberne, Arwen Weir, Penny Wood and Hayley Yates. Also Fairfield School Group, Mitchell Stringer, Bradford Standring, Sam Gouverneur, Matt Milton, Billie Clement, Joshua Hood, Shannon Inch and Khata Pearce all had a play in our pool on scuba and completed the course successfully.
Short Courses By Emma Young
PADI Open Water Course – January Scout Group Booked well in advanced this course was the course where Dive Otago’s staff were stretched to their limits. We had instructions to get as many scouts through their Open Water Certificate as we could cater for in a four day period. So this worked out to be 3 groups of 8 students. 17 of these 24 scouts came from Australia and we were wondering if they would cope in our environment. We staggered the groups for their pool sessions starting as early as 7am and
with the last group leaving the building as late as 11pm. Of course they got to sleep in the next day. All skilled up from their pool sessions our keen outdoorsy scouts were ready for what the Dunedin environment threw at them. Day 1 in the Ocean was located at Aramoana (the Mokoia Wreck). The groups excelled in the environment with minimal visibility. We had a few hiccups with our Divemasters and leaking Drysuits but we all got through the first day. On our second day we drove to
Short Courses PADI Open Water Diver Course 8th April, May 3rd PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course 16 March, 20th April PADI Rescue Diver Course 15 May
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Drysuit Special
Special Drysuit Offer We are currently taking orders for two great drysuits that are heavily discounted for a limited time only. Orders must be placed before March 10th with delivery in April. We need at a minimum a 50% deposit by this date and the balance on pick up. So come in, get measured up and stay dry!
Drysuit Special
only while stocks last.
Freedom 3 Combo
+
=
Black Ice Combo
+ 2
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Freedom 3 Drysuit all black Polyester bi-laminate- RRP $1,799 Evolution Undergarment RRP $399
$2198
$1399
Blackice Drysuit Merino lined 5mm Compressed Neoprene RRP $2,999 Lavacore Full suit RRP $399
$3398
$1699
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Dive Times
Wellers Rock, while the first group experienced strong currents and wind, the second group enjoyed a beautiful day. I personally instructed the second group and had one student that had to do three dives on this day. Facing an uphill battle and after an exam and 300m snorkel this scout powered through his skills and dives to become certified. Was an awesome challenge and Sang rose and completed it. Well done! Congratulations to all Alex Blundell, Chantal Templeton, John Paver, Lawrence Jones, William Hart, Zachary Clark, Brandon Wilson, Callum Dow, Angus Mcfarlane, Hazel Vaughan, Jaydin Cassel, Benedikt Heyn, Sang Nguyen, Steven Clements, Sami Yildirim, Benjamin Lance, Cameron Miller, Ryan Stack and Sean Ryan. Thanks to all involved, from the scout coordinators for chasing up paper work to our instructors for the long hours to get this bunch of awesome scouts through their course. New Certifications! Congratulations to the follow students on their recent certifications! PADI Open Water Diver Course Connor Anderson, Tom Dickison, Mathew Shaw, Sam Richardson, Clay Forward, Malcolm Sutherland, Courtney Mcqueen, Henry
Menzies, Oliver Reid, Sam Bull, Liam Rawstorn, Jaymie Rowe, Youri Wijland, Daniel Murray, James Denton, Ryan Mcara, Jamal Steel, Aaron Lucas, Jacinda Herron, Anton Kestila, Matthew Oskam-Schmidt, Bjoern Crueger, Tristan Eckhoff, Philip Berry, Joanne Donaldson, Kayne Madden and Lisa Taurines. Advanced Open Water Divers Destiny Paikea,, Tyson Adams and Caitlin Barclay. Rescue Divers Kieran Hyslop, William Rayment and Julien Gutknecht. Scuba Review Andrew Swan completed his review of his 20 Open Water Skills and refreshed his knowledge. Well done.
Schools Programme STAR Open Water Course As school finished in December we had a couple of local schools in Dunedin put a group of students through their Open Water Diving Course. They were Otago Boys High School and John McGlashan College. The names of the students are on the previous page as successfully completing the course. We cater
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for all schools and can block off a time to complete the course when it suits you and our timetable. Our 2013 STAR programs start in the April holidays 22nd to 3rd May, so let me know if you have anyone interested in completing the courses during this time.
prepared with bags and gloves for the morning. This should take us a couple of hours and then you have the rest of your Sunday for R & R. Look forward to seeing you all at Dive Otago bright eyed and bushy tailed on Sunday morning When: Sunday 10 March 2013, 8.30am Contact: Emma Young, Dive Otago Ltd: info@diveotago.co.nz, 03 466 4370 Solomon Islands We still have space available on this dream trip! Get in contact with Emma in the shop (info@diveotago.co.nz) and she can send you a more detailed itinery.
Dive Club DIVE CLUB
Trips and Events Milford Recently the August Diploma students headed to Milford Sound for their practicum. In my 7 years of experience in Fiordland I have never experienced such good weather. We had brilliant sunshine, cloudless skies and NO sandflies every single day. The underwater conditions matched the above water conditions as well. The students got to experience wall dives, deep dives and visibility beyond what they had previously experienced. They saw creatures such as pufferfish, sharks, rays, heaps of fish and came home with a few crayfish to line their flatmates bellies. All in all it was a fantastic trip. Check out the Photos at the back of the newsletter. Beach clean up in March Calling all divers for a harbour cleanup! Help clear up the debris and make our harbour a bit better for the wonderful creatures that live there. From Dive Otago we will be heading down to the harbour to start our clean up along the shore line. Please come
Wow! What a turn out we had for our First Club Dive of the year! 16 Enthusiastic Divers showed up with experience levels that ranged from fresh Open Water students to Open Water Scuba Instructors. After organizing our dive gear and transport to the site we made our way out to Weller’s Rock for 2 Shore Dives in some bright and sunny weather in tropical 15 degree water! Underwater the divers were treated with the amazing marine life we have hidden away in our depths. Those that ventured out into the awesome Kelp forest saw large amounts of schooling fish such as Blue Moki and Spotted Wrasse, multiple Nudibranchs, small Crayfish and a lucky few also got to witness several Octopus crawling around in the underwater environment. After the diving we came back for a social BBQ and everyone spun several dive yarns about what they have experienced in doing what we love to do underwater! Thanks for all those that turned up! This is looking to be a very promising year for the Dive Club so get involved now! Get Diving Regularly - We organise everything - You just turn up! Join our Facebook Group or Email Database and keep updated with what’s going on in the dive community, find a dive buddy
Left: Bradley Farquhar, Joseph Graham, Matthew Simpson Right: Esther Stuck
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Dive Times
SOLOMON Islands 13 June to 25 June 2013 - 13 Days, 12 dive
A True Diver’s Paradise Honiara – 4 nights 4 Dive Package. Gizo – 6 nights 8 Dive Package The Solomon Islands are comprised of more than 990 islands just south of the Equator. Virtually untouched by commercial development, the island group remains a natural paradise. The Solomons are a diver’s paradise and an eco-tourism destination that is unspoiled, unhurried and totally unforgettable. As beautiful below as it is above...the warm sparkling clear waters hold a visual feast to delight the most fastidious diving or snorkelling enthusiast. The Solomon Islands is one of the top diving destinations in the World. Noted in particular as a great all round dive destination with wrecks, big fish, colourful corals, manta rays, a huge number of fish species and the list goes on. The attraction to divers is the vast diversity offered on each dive experience. Diving Highlights Include: Extraordinary tropical reef dives, extreme wall diving, coral gardens and bommies, cruisy drift dives, the 140m Japanese Transport ship Toa Maru, two WWII aircraft, the Bonegi Beach wrecks I and II, Submarine IJN I - 1 and a Boeing B17 Flying Fortress.
TRIP PRICE
$4939
non-diver $3739
Solomon iSLANDS Our Personal Ratings Big Fish Action Drift Dives Small Colorful Fish Reefs Health Condition Soft Corals Manta Eagle Rays UW Photography Drop off Reef Shark Action Macro Life Wreck Diving
Price excludes meals, travel insurance, airport transfers from airport to Honiara accommodation and from airport to Brisbane accommodation both ways. A deposit of $2250.00 secures your spot on the trip. Final Payment needs to be made by 1st April 2013 and travel insurance is highly recommended to take out at this point also.
Remoteness of Dive sites
Avg Visibility 24-27m
Avg Water . 28-30°C
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“
From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free.
�
Jacques Yves Cousteau 1910-- - 1997
Dive Professionals are needed all over the world Dive Instructing, Eco Tourism, Marine Science, Commercial Diving, Surveying, Underwater Photography, Videography and Natural History Filmmaking. We employ dive professionals, so we know exactly what the industry is looking for. Our Part-Time National Certificate in Diving (Foundation) Starts in March and could be the start of your new career. You could be a Rescue Diver in just 16 Weeks and ready to train to be a Divemaster! Approved for Student Loans and Allowances.
To enquire or for a FREE information pack Call 0800 DIVE OTAGO 6
O TA G O
Dive Times
and join us for Club Dive Days! Get in Dive Times touch now!
up and enjoy the scenery both above and underwater.
Membership: $75 for 12 months OR $50 for 6 months
Boat Dives: $80 if you have your own gear $95 if you need to hire equipment. $115 for non-club members.
Shore Dives $10 per dive Club Dives: These will be run as often as the weather allows. We will try to get out at least once a month. It’s really up to the group so if you’re keen we’ll do the organising and all you have to do is turn
Trips Schedule Club Dive (Boat) 23rd Feb 2013 Club Dive (Night) 27 and 28th Feb 2013 Spearfishing Trip (Boat) 3rd March 2013 Club Dive (Boat) 10th March 2013 Spearfishing Trip (Boat) 23rd March 2013 Northern New Zealand (Fully Booked) 8 Days 18 - 25th March 2013 Solomon Islands 11 Days 14th - 25th June 2013 for more information on The Club Contact - Chris for more information on Spearfishing Trips Contact - Adam for more information on General Trips Contact - Emma
Gear: can be hired at a reduced rate of $20 on a first in, first served basis (usually costs $100).
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Be sure to check our Facebook page for upcoming trips, or get in contact with us down here at the shop to find out more. We cater for all levels, first timers to local legends - come and have go!
Career Courses
Meet: Dive Otago at 8:30 sharp.
Career Course Student’s Report -
Transport: Carpool from Dive Otago
This term on the August Diploma course we have been working on the unit standard portion for our Diploma, this consists of lots of mock instructing, planning weekend recreational trips into Milford, doing class presentations and best of all diving awesome new sites! So far we have been diving in the darkness of Lake Mahinerangi where we had to calculate for diving altitude and it was epic to dive in a completely new location. Diving into the unknown abyss was thrilling for all of us, even though we didnt find that much, thankfully we were in fresh water so there was no need to worry about the big terrible beasties lurking in the depths.
Spearfishing Trips Local Trip - Report The forecast was for a flat sea and clear sky, it was time to organise another spearfishing trip! I put the call out on Facebook and to our Spearfishing mailing list and we got four hungry Spearos keen to go, and it paid off for them with blue seas and plenty of fish. After launching from Moeraki we blatted down to Shag Point to target some shallow dwelling Butterfish, and Butterfish we got! The team said the fish were in good numbers, so everybody took a couple of decent sized fish each, and shot a couple Moki as well. Our decision then was whether to head to Danger Reef or not, and with the northerly wind coming through we decided against and took on a couple of different spots at Fish Reef instead. The first spot brought back our first Blue cod, with Jo Graham setting our benchmark record of 1.25kg just beating Bradley Farquhar by a couple of scales. They were then dropped on the next spot with a weed line at 10m with slope of to a depth of 20m, a perfect spot to hunt Trumpeter. As soon as the team hit the water they were into them, Matt Simpson knocked over the first one also to be the biggest and set our new benchmark record of 2kg. What an awesome day, four target species came on board, everybody went home happy and I’m sure were well fed.
We are currently in Milford Sound we have had one day of incredible diving we have learnt a wide verity of new marine life, with the help of Jen and Tracey who have had to put up with our very poor ability of retaining names of plant and animal species. The diving side of the trip has flowed much better with Kelly Boal’s great skipper skills as she works toward her “Master of a Small Commercial Dive Boat” certificate. We found Rays in our surface intervals and Porcupine Fish at Post Office Rock, thanks to Jen we all got to see two Jason Mirabilis hanging around on the Black Coral at Greenstone Point. At the end of last term we were certified as Dive Masters which opened the door for us into the world of being a dive professional, we are all looking forward to helping out with various different courses at Dive Otago. Loving it! Kevin Piere
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Career Courses Diploma in Professional Scuba Instruction 18th February 2013 (Applications close on March 1st!) National Certificate in Diving Foundation (Full-Time) 18th February 2013 (Applications close on March 1st!) National Certificate in Diving Foundation (Part-Time) 14th March 2013 Taking Applications Now! Call or email Jen for more information gopro@diveotago.co.nz
Welcome to our new February Diploma in Professional Scuba Instruction Students
L-R: Shea Nepia, Connor Nicoll-Hardie, Johnny Mccallum, Clay Forward, Levi Healey, Mitchell Horner, Anna Nicholl, Kyle Taylor, Jonathan Speedy, Charlie Rawstorn, Ben Mckinlay, Thomas Brash, Christopher Thomas, Robbie Halbert, Nicholas Millner, Desmond Ward
Summer School Days “It’s the chicks from summer school here, Larissa, Marz, Bethany and Rau so beware. We began our open water skills with Gaz in the pool, Then cruised out to the Mole for our first logged dives – cool! Diving the wrecks and checking out all the marine life, We’ve got each others backs and keeping out of strife. What a bother, learning how to hover! Advanced open water was next on the list, The first night dive was spent in the rainy mist, Our second was spent under an almost full moon, Marz bringing her thermos still hot since noon. Deep and boat diving out on fish reef, The rocky boat causing Bethany some grief. We caught some crays as long as our arm, Rau saw a shark but it caused no harm. The Mokoia, Paloona, Moana and dry dock we did see, Larissa even got stung on the bum by a bee. Rescue diving will be our next challenge to achieve, We will be sure to pass if we just remember to breathe. Our classes have started and back into the pool we will go, Many more dives to come, we will be so pro!”
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Equipment
Dive Times
Shop News We hope you all enjoyed your Christmas holidays and that the New Year has been good to you thus far. Thank you to all who visited our sales stands at Oamaru and Forbury Park over the Christmas period. We hope that you have had the chance to enjoy your new gear and/or that your gifts were a hit!
Oceanic OC1 and the GEO 2.0, both feature Oceanic’s exclusive Dual Algorithm function, giving you a choice between two ways of calculating your dive data, it’s simply about what is right for you on the day. Both feature Free Dive, Air, Nitrox, Digital watch and Gauge modes. Another cool feature of these two new models is the autoupdate function which enables the user to download and install operational improvements and even new features that become available, keeping it up to date! How to look after your wetsuit
Wristwatch Computers! Making a comeback Recently, our experienced instructors here at Dive Otago have enquired about and/or purchased a wristwatch Dive Computer. Why a wristwatch computer you ask? Wristwatch computers are ideal for travelling, easy to use and read, reduce the amount of gear dangling from you , giving you more freedom as a diver, and reduce a diver’s impact on the underwater environment. Also, the staff here believe wristwatch computers are an ideal backup computer - eliminating the likelihood of stopping a dive early due to computer malfunction. Something we all want to prevent from happening while on holiday. We have a wide range of wristwatch computers for you to choose and some new oceanic product are featured below. The
Description
Issue 55 February 2013
After every use, whether it is in saltwater or chlorinated pool, you should rinse your wetsuit with freshwater. Don’t dry in direct sunlight as this will cause your wetsuit to fade and the neoprene to stiffen. To store your wetsuit hang on a coat hanger to prevent creases. Prolonging the life of your wetsuit can be done by simply giving it a good wash with wetsuit shampoo! McNett’s wetsuit shampoo is a scientifically balanced maintenance system that removes organic residue, chlorine and salt deposits. This formula can be used on all neoprene and water sports wear, including fishing waders, orthopaedic supports, lycra body suits, boots and gloves. McNett’s wetsuit shampoo offers up to 16 washes and is available for purchase at our Dive Shop.
Oceanic Geo 2.0
Suunto D4i
Ideal on its own or as a backup computer. If you are looking for function, quality, and style at an affordable price then this is the watch for you!
This fun looking computer has all the features most people will need as well as having the capacity to be upgraded to air integration. It is easy to use and lightweight.
Oceanic oc1 The Oceanic OC1 is an advanced all-in-one dive computer. Packed with features all in a lightweight titanium housing that is as stylish as it is rugged.
Air and Nitrox Compatible Freedive Mode Digital Compass Temperature Display Ait Intergrated
Transmitter Optional Upgrade
User Replacable Battery Price
$599
$1299
$2499
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Dive Computers and Software explained in English When most people think about dive computers they think complicated and over the top, when in reality, dive computers take the thinking out of it, and give you more time to enjoy your dive. Gone are complicated dive tables, guessing how quickly you are using your air and when it’s time to turn around. Dive Computers take those numbers and pressure group letters and turns them into useful information you can use. And yes, throw away your pen and that old soggy logbook, thats gone digital too. Even the most basic computers give you more time underwater, while still keeping you safe. The problem with tables is that at the most basic level they make you plan your dive based on your maximum depth. What a dive computer does is reassess your actual no decompression time based on your actual depth and time. “For example, a recreational diver who plans to stay within “no-decompression” limits can in many cases simply ascend a few feet each minute, while continuing the dive, and still remain within reasonably safe limits, rather than adhering to a pre-planned bottom time and ascending
directly. So-called multi-level dives can be planned with traditional dive tables, but the additional calculations become complex and the plan may be cumbersome to follow. Computers allow for a certain amount of spontaneity during the dive” Simplicity, with a depth gauge, timer compass and air gauge in one, you will be carrying a lot less gear. Dive computers can be as little or big as you like. Small wrist mounted computers eliminate an entire hose (if air integrated) while some larger console modules have over sized numbers (for those of us who normally use reading glasses). Air integration, is more expensive but gives you really valuable dive time remaining data and takes even more of the thinking out of the equation. Unless you are doing a deep dive or you are on the second dive of the day, generally your air will run out before your no decompression time. Lots of
things affect our air consumption rate (temperature, current, depth) therefore it is tricky to estimate how quickly we are using our tank, and when it’s time to start heading back. An air integrated computer takes your current depth, time and air consumption rates to give you an even more accurate reading. While a standard dive computer will give you your no decompression dive time remaining, an air integrated computer gives you either your no decompression dive time remaining or your air time remaining, whichever is less. Logging Dives. Some people love it and some people hate but either way it is always good when you do it well. Most dive computers now come with free dive logging software that lets you log your dives by simply plugging in your dive computer to you laptop or desktop computer. Normally the cable that does this is sold separately, so ask when you are purchasing your computer what cable is needed to easily download your dive data.
iDive - The app for iPhone, iPad or Android allows you to choose a dive computer and simulate a dive by simply tilting your screen to go down or up. This will let you test which type of computer is going to be best for you. || Click Here to watch a video on how it works.
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Dive Times
DM4 Software
Dive Software lets you see your dives in a whole new way, Some features you will really like are:
►► Graphs of your dives
►► Dive Planning
►► Dive location mapping
►► Gear Inventory
►► Synch with your photos
►► Social Integration
Photography Tips by Tracey Channon Tip #5 Camera + Housing Maintenance: Given my recent track record with slack camera care I thought it might be time to give out a few tips on camera care and maintenance. If you’re wondering I took a camera for a bit of a swim without an o-ring in the housing; result – a flooded camera. A very expensive and embarrassing mistake to make. Trust me I’ll be taking note of my own tips this time around! It is important to look after your camera, often if something happens to the camera it will usually mean also having to replace your housing as they are generally specific to a camera. Here are some tips to make sure what happened to me does not happen to you: 1.
Don’t let your housing sit in the sun. If you are at a dive site in the hot sun, place a wet towel over your camera, otherwise you might find you get condensation in the camera housing on the next dive.
2. Keep 1 or 2 desiccants (the little absorber sachets you get in shoe boxes) in the housing to prevent fogging up. 3. Get your camera handed to you once in the water, rather than jumping in with it. 4. Soak your housing in fresh water after every dive. Press all the buttons while the camera is submerged and then dry with a towel. 5. Keep a cover of some sort over the lens port; you don’t want a scratch on your housing to ruin every photo you take. 6. After each use, clean and re-lube the o-ring (but don’t over lubricate). Don’t forget to also clean the groove where the o-ring sits. 7. MOST IMPORTANT – put your o-ring in the housing and check that it isn’t caught in the housing. When you check your camera submerge it lens first and quickly bring it out of the water if there are any leaks. Hopefully if you follow these tips you won’t have my problem. Happy shooting.
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Photos Diary
|| August Diploma in Professional Scuba Instruction - Milford Sound Trip January 2013
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|| Half Shark / Half Ray? Jen caught this unusual creature on video in Milford. So far identified as a Torpedo-fairchildi.
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