The forcast was not looking to good for the weekend with 25 going 35 knot Northerly winds forecast and rain from Saturday evening.

Despite the forcast a boat load of us headed out to Cape Jackson Saturday and were pleasantly surprised to find good vis and hardly a breath of wind all day. The tides were pretty big this weekend, which meant strong currents, but strong current means big fish and that is exactly what we got on both dives, with large schools of Tarakihi, Moki, Trevally, Butterfly Perch, plus cod and all the normal bottom dwellers.

On Sunday we headed out for a Inner Sounds trip and proved once and for all by scientific means and unbiased referees that Blue Cod prefer Chicken and Turkey over Beef and Chicken.

Dive Club Marlborough members Georgie and Steve Walker took the time to fine tune their buoyancy and get used to their new kit, while Mike finished off his under water map for his Divemaster course.

Thanks everyone for diving with Go Dive, I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Safe Diving Brent

Dyspepsia’s pangs, that rack and grind
The body, and depress the mind;
Slow constitutional decay,
That brings death nearer, day by day;
Nervous prostration, mental gloom,
Agues, that, as they go and come,
Make life a constant martyrdom;
Colics and dysenteric pains,
‘Neath which the strong man’s vigor wanes;
Bilious complaints, — those tedious ills,
Ne’er conquered yet by drastic pills;
Dread Diarrhea, that cannot be
Cured by destructive Mercury;
Heralds of madness or the tomb;
For these, though Mineral nostrums fail,
Means of relief at last we hail,
HOSTETTER’S BITTERS medicine sure,
Not to prevent, alone, but cure.

– Hostetter’s United States Almanac, 1867

A description for the use of Hostetters Stomach Bitters, a concoction of straight alcohol, herbs and vegetable extracts, used during the American civil war to cure stomach melody’s. Also sold in some Canadian Bars by the glass full. Things were tough back in the good old days

This bottle is still corked and was found on a local wreck in the Marlborough Sounds.

This weekend is the last in our old shop in the Waikawa Marina. For a short time we will be of no fixed abode, but then opening at a new and much improved location and premises, right in the middle of Picton with more parking than you could poke a stick at.

On Saturday we have an Outer Sounds trip heading out with a few spots left and on Sunday a Inner Sounds trip. I also have plenty of bargain’s if you are after a bit of kit, including BCD’s,suits, cylinders and regulators, if you think buying on Trade-me is cheap then check out "Go Dives" prices first.

I know winter is on the way, but remember skiing is for the bunnies (sorry Lance and Simone) and the vis is far better when it is a little bit cooler, all you need is a nice warm Beaver or Otter. (Drysuits I am talking about) and happiness is assured.

 Sorry didn’t have dive photo, so this what you get when  divers inter breed.

Cheers Brent

Congratulations to Warren Grossetta, Joel Strickland, Andrea Paterson and Mike Barton who have just completed their TDI Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures this afternoon with Go Dive.

Team about to start 42m Deco Dive (missing is Mike Barton as he left his kit at the shop)

The course was run over the last 4 days with theory on Adv EAN and Deco Procedures and 6 practical skill sessions in open water to a maximum of 45 metres. The team had a chance to practice DSMB deployment while on deco stops (not an easy task) and gas exchanges using mixes over 40%.

The weather was perfect for the 3 days of practical training with hardly a breath of wind felt. The team are now looking forward to using their new skills on Tech only trips to the Lermontov.

Those keen on getting more from your diving, email me to chat about the options. We will be following this course up with Extended Range training in the near future. 

Thanks for training with Go Dive guys and girl.

Brent

Dates have now been set for "Go Dives" next PADI Instructor Development Course.

The PADI Instructor development process is by far the most respected in the industry, with candidates finding work through out the world in some very exotic locations. We get asked on a regular bases if we can refer candidates onto Dive Centres and Operaters throughout the Pacific region, so work is all but assurred as a PADI instructor.

IDC starts at 8am Tuesday the 1st of September 2009 and finishes at 5pm on Monday the 7th September 2009.

IE date has been set for September 8th & 9th September.

Both the IDC and IE will be run in Picton, the IDC at our new facility by the regions only PADI Course Director. To help keep the instructor development process enjoyable and rewarding, we do limit the number of candidates accepted onto "Go Dives" IDC’s. Currently we have 4 spaces avalaible on the September IDC.

For more information contact Brent at godive@xtra.co.nz 

Dive Club Marlborough has just hit a mile stone this weekend, we now have 101 club members.

Once we move into our new location we will be increasing club activities and will have some pretty good things going on. Keep an eye on the club page by clicking Dive Club on our home page for upcoming events etc.

For those who are not members check the site out to find out why the club is so popular or give me a call on 0800 GODIVE

Safe diving

Brent

Congratulations to Brian Stone and Simon Parfitt who have just become our latest open-water graduates. Thanks to Instructor Andrea and Divemaster Trainee Mike for a job well done.

We look forward to helping you further with your underwater education and skills when up for your Advanced open-water dives.

FISH RESERVE TRAINING DIVE

It has been a great weekend so far for diving. Nine of us headed out on Fridays trip to the Marine Reserve, visibility was pretty good at around 8 metres. On Saturday we headed out to the Lermontov for another nice day and visibility of up to 8 /10 metres.

Today we had our Underwater Easter Egg hunt with everyone finding an egg nearly and winning a prize.

Traditionaly for some Easter is the end of their dive season, but remember the visibility can be much better in the winter, all you need is a good wetsuit or dry suit and a warm boat and hot drink after the dive. Although we will be soon out of our old shop in Waikawa and it will be a few months until we have our new shop built, we will be operating as usual from a temporary building. 

Safe Diving

Brent

Hi…I have a limited amount of 12 litre stubby, Faber Steel cyinders avaliable at $550.00 inclusive of DIN valve and boot. This is unfortunately the last time I will be able to offer them below $650.00.

Call me on 0800 GODIVE if you want one or more

regards

Brent

Go Dive