12 of us headed off to West Bay on Sunday to enjoy the perfect conditions of calm seas and hot weather. We were very lucky to have a dedicated skipper for each boat and we attracted some non-club members to come and see what we get up to.
The first dive was on East Tennant's Reef. The collection of fishing boats and recommendations from other dive ribs helped us to select the site. Lots of fan coral and interesting cracks between the rock formations hiding the marine life. Rumour of a huge lobster which some of us found.
The second dive was on the Baygitano with perfect shotting by Paul. Fantastic amounts of bib and some buddy pairs found a John Dory in amongst the bib. Good to catch up with the conger in the boiler.
Back to West Bay for ice creams and cold drinks and headed for home by 5pm.
Chris
It was an early start for this weeks dive at Babbacombe Bay. After a wet and thundery trip down, testing our brakes on the hill to the car park and having a cup of tea in the café while we waited for the rain to subside.
Four of us kitted up and with shore cover sorted, made our way easily to the beach. After getting through the weedy areas it went to rocks with the usual spider crabs and a few fish. A little disappointing that no cuttlefish were seen although we did see a beautiful blue jelly fish near the shore.
On the second dive we saw a dog fish but once it saw us it was off and then it was time for a bite to eat in the café and up the hill (nightmare!) and home for an early finish. All in all a very relaxed and enjoyable days diving had by all.
Tracey
With the good weather still holding and a few enthusiastic divers willing to make the effort at Chesil Beach, we headed off for a shore dive at Chesil Cove. For once the sea was calm and the visibility quite good.
A few false starts; Tim over sleeping and leaving his buddy wondering if she had the right day! while Paul was waiting at Shaftsbury to meet up with Them. Eventually we all arrived and set up on a sunny beach even if some only partially brought their kit.
After the initial blur to the day everyone went for the one dive and home, Tim obviously still over sleeping navigated towards the rocks for a change of scenary!!
Following on from a really hot Saturday, we were all relived to find cooler weather down at West Bay, although it was a bit cloudy.
So with two boats we all set off to the Baygitano around seven miles from West Bay, with quite calm water for a change.
With a couple of boats already set up on the site, they happily allowed us to share their shot line.
As usual the Baygitano was well stocked with fish for everyone to see although the visibility was not up to previous trips. With the exception of Ken and his buddies (unexpected I know) everyone had a good long dive.
With a steady trip back to West Bay for lunch and a leisurely turn around, we headed back out to High Ground. This time everyone had a good dive, the catch of the day was a good sized lobster.
Come on Tony...., we know your busy, but where is the report???
This Sunday, those that were "dived up" were able to get out to the Alex Van Opstal and enjoy a murky fun dive before getting too cold for their second dive. Others managed to get their first dive in on the sea caves.
This morning started down in Kimmeridge where the sea conditions proved too much, so a decision was made to move along the coast to Portland, where everyone managed to get a dive sorted.
This was the clubs first chance to experience the new sailing academy, and very good it was too. A great place to all meet up, have lunch and go diving, (in that order preferably). As this was the first dive of the season for most, it was decided to do a gentle 15m maximum dive around Durdle Pier and Grove Point. Due to the very cold weather we completed both dives in the one trip out, allowing an early finish and long chat to discuss what we didn't see.
For the select few that headed off Sunday, they were treated to an unusual surprise for diving on the south coast. With the water visibility being excellent, and the ability to see both ends of the Black Hawk during the dive. Frankly most club members believe that this weeks divers were suffering from some kind of "post dive syndrome" due their brains freezing. But they all had a great day what ever the cause.
With weather conditions still not improving it was decided to start with a warm up shore dive. Newtons cove provided an excellent chance for a gentle start to the season, in water temperatures of 8oC ahh!!
A very cold Sunday morning greeted everyone at Kimmeridge for this years boat testing. We managed to get both Jaffa and BWM in the water and running very quickly, with the help of Ken and his new found "quick release system".
With both boats running well we headed out to test the radios and practice using the GPS, before eventually the weather turned against us. Which was more than enough time at sea for all, as Ken suffered frozen fingers due to his gloves being carefully stored on the boat trailer. All in all a good days testing ready for the new season.