Letter from Guy
Hi from sunny Melbourne. Thought you might like a quick "look" at what divers do in The Lucky Country over Christmas and New Year. I’ve been in Mt Eliza since Christmas eve and one of the great local attractions is the diving. I’m supposed to be here catching up with family, but the diving is so fantastic, kin have been pushed aside and the dive gear is getting a hammering. Portsea, at the end of the penninsular, is the leap off point for the entrance to "the bay". A roughly round bay 50km diameter with an entrance just a couple of kilometers across. This means huge current flows not unlike those around Cape Jackson. It also means a lot of crysal clear oceanic water and the increadible plant and fish life that goes with it. Enough to say it is the equal or better than a lot of tropical diving I have done… simply breath taking.
What is interesting is the difference in the style of diving here. The dive boats (20-30 divers!!) leave Portsea like buses… on a shedule about every hour or so. You kit up in the car park, stagger (38degs NYs eve) down the pier and jump aboard. The boats leave, mostly for single dives, and drop you back for the stagger back to the car. The Portsea pub is next to the dive shop and ALL dives are finished with beer and hot chips (note to Brent; Next aquisition, pub or licenced cafe).
The other interesting thing is 80% OR MORE (some dives 100%) of divers dive in full technical kit ie twins and double slings (at least a single sling), and dry suits even though the temp is in the thirties and the water is 21. I came over all set with the good old kiwi single but have had to dive my single, 2 slings and 32%EANX or you can’t find anyone who will buddy with you!! Halcyon and DiveRite rule over here. And if you don’t have a $2000.00 dive light, then your a hack. I rest easy knowing that awesome dive lights often indicate other equipment may not be up to scratch.
The diving is great here but I still can’t wait to get back and splash with my Go Dive friends. See you soon.
Guy Drayton
Sounds like Guy is having a ball, any one interested in a trip to dive the Ships Graveyard and reefs in Melbourne let me know. Local conditions have been good despite the wind, had a good dive out side West Head yesterday, guys spent a good part of their dive accompanied by a seal.
Safe diving
Brent