A week since TecFest

Posted on May 21, 2013 by brent

TecFest 2013 was a huge success with over 60 people attending the various presentations and trydives.

TDI now have 14 new Intro to Tech divers, all completing their dives in the Lake over Friday and Saturday.

TDI Intro to Tech course briefing

Congratulations to all who completed their ITT course and to Wayne Gedye’s the lucky winner of an Advanced Wreck diving course with Go Dive Marlborough on the Lermontov. Thankyou to all those who helped make TecFestnz 2013 a huge success.

 

 

We already have plenty of interest for TecFestnz 2014 with tentative dates being set for May the 9th/10th & 11th. Next year will be bigger and better with a new venue and more exhibitors.

See you at TecFestnz 2014
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One week to TecFest

Posted on May 3, 2013 by brent

It is only one week to go before the inaugural TecFest at Taupo. Interest is high with all the free “Intro To Tech” courses being allocated.

There will be interesting presentations in the evenings with guest speakers from Aussie and New Zealand. TDI are sponsoring a  keg of beer for the Saturday nights BYO meal and we expecting a full house at the Motutere Holiday Park for these presentations.

We have had a slight hiccup with the boat dives,with the boat we planned to use being out of action, :cry:  but we are scrambling to try and find another suitable replacement. Might pay to check with us next week if your expecting a boat dive.

Jack McFadden on his final openwater course dive dives the Koi wreck.

I have been very busy with courses over the last few weeks. Congratulations to Simon Bainbridge who completed his EANX course, Allan Wilson his Advanced, and Susan Higgs, Caroline Thomas, Jesse Roach, Mitchel Payne and last but definitely not least my own son Jack, all completing their PADI Openwater.

 

 

Safe diving

Brent :roll:

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Openwater

Posted on April 8, 2013 by brent

Congratulations to Susan Higgs who just finished her PADI Openwater course with Go Dive.

Susan completes her knowledge development prior to the last 2 open-water dives

Along with five others Susan spent the weekend at our Dive Lodge in Port Gore, completing 2 of her dives at Blue Cod Point and the last 2 on the wreck of the Lermontov. With a light southerly blowing the air temperature was quite cool, but this had the advantage of making the water feel quite warm. To be expected Susan had a few reservations about her very first dive, especially considering the method of entry – a backward roll off the boat.

This was all forgotten however as we descended to the bottom and one of the very first encounters being with a very friendly octopus which we played with for quite sometime.

On Sunday we all headed out for two dives on the Lermontov, visibility at the present time is about average for this time of year, but with the slightly choppy conditions on the surface the dive itself was very relaxing as we slowly swum along the wreck while enjoying the company of the many fish, which over time have become very accustomed to the presence of divers.

Thanks to Susan, Tony and Loui from Christchurch and honeymoon couple Catherine and Bradley for diving with Go Dive.

safe diving

Brent 8-)

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Autum Diving

Posted on April 4, 2013 by brent

Hi…although we are well into Autum, diving hasn’t slowed down at all, with a warmer than nomal Autum predicted.

Bar in Bolshoi Lounge, Photo by Gerald Vanderwatt

Last weekend Go Dive hosted the team from NZ Sea Adventures, Wellington. With three rebreather divers, two on sidemounts and the rest on singles, some having dived the wreck before and some for the very first time, it was a busy weekend of managing the dives and keeping the team well feed and watered.

Jack and Gerald helped with the cooking, skippering and guiding duties which enabled everyone to get a pretty good look over and in the Lermontov – thanks guys for a job well done. The visibility on the wreck varied quite a bit between 5 to 8 metres, but as always the inside was pretty good.

Thanks to NZSA Wellington for diving with Go Dive once again, we look forward to meeting up again – warning, ear plugs might be an essentail piece of kit if you want to secure a goods night sleep on future NZSA trips.

safe diving

Brent 8-)

 

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MV Alucia

Posted on March 26, 2013 by brent

Last week we had a visit from the research ship MV Alucia

Alucia is based out of the States and used around the world for research projects, the vessel is 57 meters long, equipment with two submersibles and a helicopter. It has recently been in New Zealand circumnavigating the South Island and stopped off for a dive with Go Dive on the Lermontov.

1000m rated Sub on the MV Alucia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to Kaylie Crispen who completed her Open water course with Go Dive last weekend. We had a very busy weekend diving locally, with both crossover training and guided dives.

TecFest is growing in momentum, with TDI sponsoring free 8-O “Intro to Tech” courses which in total would have a retail value of around $500.00. These will be offered to divers attending TecFest. For more details on how to book your seat, check out the TecFest web site at www.tecfestnz.com or email me at zn.oc.evidognull@ofni

 

safe diving

Brent :-P

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