Scallops Galore
Gale force winds, rain and snow to 400m, not the sort of forecast you like to hear when you have a planned weekend away diivng. However if its one thing I have learned over the years, I have to have confidence in the very reason why I set up a dive operation in Marlborough, "you can always get a good dive in, no matter what the weather"
With a full boat load of club members making up the weekends group we headed out on Saturday to East Bay where we planned to check out the scallop population. We were rewarded with visibility in excess of 15 to 20 metres and nearly the boat limit of scallops after the very first dive. The scallops seem to be as abundant as ever and in very good shape for this time of year.
MARLBOROUGH SCALLOPS YUM (Great in a white wine and garlic sauce)
Sunday dawned clear, calm and sunny, I decided to head out to a site I seldom dive due to its location and need for experienced well kitted out divers. Surprisingly we discovered a highly populated bed of scallops, again in very good condition and very large for the area. Also, in residence were Southern Pig fish and Carpet sharks, along with some huge Sand anemones and Tube worms, ideal for close-up and macro photography.
We played out the final scenario for Tomo’s and Hamish’s PADI Rescue course after the first dive, by springing on them a realistic dive accident scenario. Katie joined the 40m club on the last dive, along with completing her PADI EANx course over the weekend.
HAMISH TENDS TO TWO DOWNED DIVERS DURING HIS AND TOMO’S RESCUE TRAINING
Overall it was a very pleasant weekend with a very good group of keen and enthusiastic divers. Congrats to Hamish, Tomo and Katie who finished off of their rescue and Nitrox courses. Also thanks to Warren who acted the perfect victim in the rescue scenario and Guy his dive buddy.
Next weekends Lodge trip is now full, with the long range forecast now looking good, I am looking forward to getting back out to the Lermontov and experiencing the good visibility.
safe diving
Brent