Congratulations to Aaron Harris who has just completed his PADI openwater course with Go Dive in Picton.
Aaron lives locally and plans to make use of his new skills to explore the sounds and collect a bit of Kai-moana.
Well done Aaron.
Well it had to happen, winter has finally caught up with us
. I spose all those ski bunnies will be happy though, well they have to have their little bit of fun to.
But don’t disappear it won’t last long, the shortest day is only a week or two away and it will be on the improve again. Our winter calendar is looking pretty good, with many diving right through. We have a PADI EANx course this weekend, as well as a Rescue course starting Sunday, TDI Deco course the following two weekends and a Divemaster course about to get underway.
LONG HOT SUMMER DAYS AT THE LERMONTOV DIVE LODGE, SOMETHING TO LOOK FROWARD TO.
Also on the drawing board for August or September is a live-a-board trip to the Poor Knights. Plan is to make this a Tec trip and include some deeper dives, if your keen let me know numbers will be limited.
The weekends weather is not going to be conducive to good diving in the Outer Sounds due to a strong Southerly. However if your keen on getting wet then we will be heading out locally on Sunday.
SAFE DIVING
BRENT
GODIVE
Congratulations to Mitchell Lochhead, who just qualified for Go Dives one hour club this weekend, and no it’s not like the mile high club. It’s about spending over one hour under water, no mean feat at this time of year in a wet-suit.
Mitchell is a Dive Club Marlborough member, who just recently completed his TDI training with us was diving a single and sling which allowed him to extend his bottom time on the Mikhail Lermontov, thus maximizing his investment in the trip. Diving with a sling also gives him the ability to penetrate the wreck beyond recreational limits. Steve his buddy, also a qualified TDI Tec diver and one hour man, was doing the wreck for the first time in his new Otter Britannic dry-suit, Steve couldn’t have been happier with his new investment coming up dry and warm from every dive.
MIKHAIL LERMONTOV LYING ON THE BOTTOM IN PORT GORE (model)
Also congrats to Hamish McKay who completed his PADI Wreck specialty over the weekend, Hamish is due to do his TDI Adv Nitrox and Deco Pro courses on Queens birthday weekend, so will be equipped to go for the 1 hour or even two hour club honor’s.
Marilyn Huber a true blue Aussie from Melbourne, also joined us for the first time on the Lermontov, Marilyn is a Divemaster for Aquability a Melbourne Dive Centre and hopes to return with a few of her mates in the next year, thanks Marilyn for diving with us and hope to see you back again soon. Pity about the Crusaders lose though, hope you didn’t take it to hard. (good to see an Aussie supporting a Kiwi side)
Thats it for the time being, still a few more spots on the Queens birthday trip and TDI course so let me know if your keen. Guy is doing some U/W video work on this trip, so if you have ambitions of becoming an U/W film star this is your chance.
safe diving
Brent
The great Autumn weather is continuing with nice calm days and plenty of sun, I haven’t even had to light the fire at night as it has been to warm.
There is plenty going on over the next few months, so there is no excuse to hang up your kit, heres a quick list of whats going on:
Theres heaps happening and although the water temp is lower the visibility if better, 10 meters being the average throughout the winter on the Lermontov, with plenty to see and do.
TRITON NUDIBRANCH ON THE MIKHAIL LERMONTOV
Keep an eye open on future blogs for updates on whats going on etc.
safe diving
Brent
Over the last 5 days I have been stationed at the Lermontov Lodge, hosting a KISS rebreather course for Paul Trainor the New Zealand distributer of KISS rebreathers.
The course was a combination of Instructor trainer and entry level training, Alan Studley the US distributer for KISS was brought over from California by Paul to run him through the Instructor Trainer program while Rob Edwards went through his level 1 and 2 Rebreather course.
We had ideal weather for all the 5 days, with most of the dives taking place on the Lermontov and a dive each on the Lastingham and Rangitoto on the way home yesterday.
While the guys run through their drills on the outside of the wreck, I took the opportunity to explore and familiarize myself with a few areas inside the wreck with the idea of conducting bow to stern tours through the inside of the wreck at Lounge deck level.
One of the sights seen on Go Dives penetration tour, a child’s doll
Although I checked out mostly previously visited areas I found a few areas and artefact’s not explored before during these exploratory dives, testimony to the size and scope this wreck has.
Plates still in racks. ( These are no touch)
Go Dive is the only South island dealer for KISS rebreathers and will be running regular KISS rebreatehr courses at the Lodge, with Paul conducting the training. If you want more info on these machines you can contact me or check out the KISS web site at kissrebreathers.com
Thanks Paul for organizing the trip and congratulations to Rob on completing your course.
safe diving
Brent
Go Dive