Dive Report - 5 July 2009
By miguel | July 6, 2009
Please take note of the equipment hire rates which are as follow:
FULL EQUIPMENT (basic & scuba) R150 CASH for the day
SCUBA EQUIPMENT (BCD, REG & CYL) R100 CASH for the day
INDIVIDUAL ITEMS R40 CASH for the day
SUNDAY 28th June 2009 our launch was at 08:00 for 09:00 from Calypso in Durban.
DIVE SITE: BIKINI REEF
Weather wise it was (partly cloudy). Sea conditions were flat with a slight current running South - North, water temperature was 21 degrees Celsius with a 10m visibility.
The launch from Vetch’s was flat as usually, if you concentrate you might find a slight wave to brag how rough it can be (one of the many perks diving off Durban). The only discomfort diving yesterday was that there were just male and no female divers to add that extra glamour to the whole entertainment.
On the way out not only we had the comfort of the clean environmental 4 stroke engines (no fumes or noise), flat sea and an amazing beautiful early morning sky.
Marine life seen at Bikini was Pineapple fish (the whole purpose of such dive), Scorpionfish (the norm), Lizardfish, lots of Fusiliers, lots of Shad (non in Cape Town as Elf), Marble electric ray, Cowfish, Filefish, lots of juvenile species.
UP COMING DIVE
* Durban from Calypso 08:00 for 09:00 launch Sunday (12/07) Dive site TBA – Dive price R200
REMEMBER Please book your dive and your equipment hire well in advance to avoid disappoints (082 – 4506635, e mail or facebook Aquabud Group).
All dives cancelled by dives within 24 hours of launch time will have to be paid in full and equipment hire.
Regulator washed without dust cap on properly it will result for regulator to be services R500
(Please be very careful, it’s you cash after all)
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Dive Report - 28 June 2009
By miguel | July 2, 2009
SUNDAY 28th June 2009 our launch was at 08:00 for 09:00 from Calypso in Durban.
DIVE SITE : BIKINI REEF
Weather wise it was (partly sunny). Sea conditions were good with a huge running swell, a slight current running South - North, water temperature was 22 degrees Celsius with average 5 to 10m visibility at times with lots of surge, due to the running swells.
The launch from Vetch’s was flat as usual but once we crossed the Durban harbour mouth we could see how huge the swells were hitting the shore. However the boat ride to the dive site was a comfortable one.
Unfortunately because of the swells over head we had a fair amount of surge and the reef was a bit covered in sand. How drop was not that accurate, so we missed the Pineapple fish as our objective to dive Bikini.
So the marine life seen on the dive was just the ordinary one like Scorpionfish, Firefish, Yellow striped fusiliers, Longfin batfish, Moorish idols, juvenile Lined wrasse, Lizardfish, Blacksaddle mimic, Speckled shrimpfish (uncommon species on how coastline). Unfortunately because of the surge it didn’t warrant to take good underwater photos.
Please take note of the equipment hire rates which are as follow:
FULL EQUIPMENT (basic & scuba) R150 CASH for the day
SCUBA EQUIPMENT (BCD, REG & CYL) R100 CASH for the day
INDIVIDUAL ITEMS R40 CASH for the day
UP COMING DIVE
* Durban from Calypso 08:00 for 09:00 launch Sunday (05/07) to Bikini Reef – Dive price R200
REMEMBER Please book your dive and your equipment hire well in advance to avoid disappoints (082 – 4506635, e mail or facebook Aquabud Group).
All dives cancelled by dives within 24 hours of launch time will have to be paid in full and equipment hire.
Regulator washed without dust cap on properly it will result for regulator to be services R500
(Please be very careful, it’s you cash after all)
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Dive Report 06 - 08 June 2009
By miguel | June 19, 2009
SATURDAY 06th June 2009 our launch was at 06:00 for 07:00 from Calypso in Durban.
DIVE SITE: FONTAO Wreck
Weather wise it was (partly cloudy) with a slight North East wind. Sea conditions were flat, no current, visibility +12m, water temperature was 23 degrees.
While we were kitting up for the dive at the dive site, we had dolphin coming pass the boat. Once we descended the wreck was cover like never before with baitfish. We had to stay about 30cm from the top of the deck to see the wreck that was how the abundance of fish there were on it.
Marine life on the wreck during the dive were, Pineapple fish, Leopard morays, some dives did see the huge Brindle bass, Scorpionfish, Crayfish and so many other species.
SUNDAY 07th June 2009 our launch was at 10:00 for 11:00 from Calypso in Durban.
DIVE SITE: T BARGE Wreck
Weather wise it was (cloudy) with a slight South Easter blowing. Sea conditions were flat when we went out, but a bumpy ride back. There was no current, water temperature was 23 degrees Celsius with 10m visibility.
The marine life observed and enjoyed on the dive. We had Paperfish, Leopard morays, Lionfish, Longfin batfish, Scorpionfish, Moorish idols, Fusiliers, Black mimic, etc.
Monday 08 June 2009 our launch was at 09:00 for 10:00 from Calypso in Durban.
DIVE SITE: IT WAS A MYSTERY DIVE
We were meant to dive “Chains”, but the drop of the divers was no where near it. The fortunate thing is we came down on a reef we have never dived before. Even though it wasn’t plan to do such a dive, it was still interesting to dive this part of the reef with lost of overhangs and a fair amount of marine life.
On the way out we lots of dolphins just to add the appetite.
However it was (cloudy), we had a fair swell, no current; water temperature still unchanged 23 degrees Celsius and average visibility of 10m.
The marine life observed and enjoyed on this mystery dive was, Geometric moray, Leopard morays, Lionfish, nice corals, Boxies, Rockcod, Trumpetfish, Flutefish, Lined hogfish, Parrotfish, Natal knifejaw, Red stumpnose, Black beauty, Koester, just to name a few.
We proud to show you the first photo of Kyra, we thank Aunty Jeanne for letting us have the photo. So it is our honour and privilege to share it with all you divers and families.
Please take note of the equipment hire rates which are as follow:
FULL EQUIPMENT (basic & scuba) R150 CASH for the day
SCUBA EQUIPMENT (BCD, REG & CYL) R100 CASH for the day
INDIVIDUAL ITEMS R40 CASH for the day
UP COMING DIVE
* Durban from Calypso 06:30 for 07:30 launch Saturday (13/06) to Cooper wreck – Dive price R200
* Umkomaas from Oceansworx (dive time to be announced with follow up mail) Sunday (14/06) it’s going to be a mystery dive – Dive price R240
REMEMBER Please book your dive and your equipment hire well in advance to avoid disappoints (082 – 4506635, e mail or facebook Aquabud Group).
All dives cancelled by dives within 24 hours of launch time will have to be paid in full and equipment hire.
Regulator washed without dust cap on properly it will result for regulator to be services R500
(Please be very careful, it’s you cash after all)
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NEWSLETTER & DIVE REPORT
By miguel | June 9, 2009
The dive report as not been sent out diligently for the past few months and I sincerely apologise.
We do have a vast amount of news, so it will be a lengthy News Letter and Dive report.
CONTENT OF NEW LETTER
*DIVE REPORT FOR 21st May
*DIVE REPORT FOR 23rd May
*DIVE REPORT FOR 24th May
*COMRADES MARATHON
*IT’S A BABY GIRL
*OCEANS ALIVE DIVING CHANGING NAME
*EQUIPMENT HIRE RATES
*WEEKEND DIVE PLAN
THURSDAY 21st May 2009 our launch was at 08:00 for 09:00 from Calypso in Durban.
DIVE SITE
T-BARGE Wreck
Weather wise it was Clean skies with a slight North East wind. Sea conditions were fair, but did get slightly rough on the way back; we had no current, visibility +10m, water temperature was 22 degrees.
I personally have not dived at the Wreck since 2003 which was one on my worse wreck’s I ever dived at that stage. I cannot believe the change in the marine life I experienced after so many years.
SATURDAY 23rd May 2009 our launch was at 08:00 for 09:00 from Calypso in Durban.
DIVE SITE
Birthday Ledges
Weather wise it was clear skies with hardly any Southern wind blowing and clouds to be seen. Sea conditions were flat with no current, water temperature was 22 degrees Celsius with 12m visibility.
The marine life observed and enjoyed on the dive. We had dolphins underwater, Turtle Scorpionfish, Moorish idols, Imperious, Speckled shrimpfish, shoals of Kingfish & Fusiliers, male & female Boxy, Blackedged blaasop, Black mimic, Six strip Soapfish and many others.
SUNDAY 24th May 2009 our launch was at 08:00 for 09:00 from Calypso in Durban.
DIVE SITE
Doug’s Reef
There was no strong wind over night; just a wind direction changed from a Southern to a Northern wind and we expected the condition to remain the same.
However it was partly cloud, flat sea conditions, water temperature still unchanged 22 degrees Celsius and a poorly less than 5m visibility.
The marine life observed and enjoyed on the dive even though in such low visibility was Leopard moray, Scorpionfish, Nice soft corals and all sorts of wrasses.
Dives planned for the Saturday and Sunday (30th & 31st May 2009) were cancelled due to the huge swells off Durban.
COMRADES MARATHON RESULTS
We all know this year the Comrades Marathon was from Pietermaritzburg down to Durban on Saturday (30th May) a total distance of 87Km.
We only know of 3 diver runner who ran such race for the first time. They were:
Briggitta du Plessis 10:15 minutes
James Reeve 11:48 minutes
Chris Akal 11:50 minutes
Congratulations in completing the world’s oldest and largest ultra marathon.
BABY GIRL
We congratulate Nola & Wessels on the birth of their baby girl, Kyra weighing at 2.5Kg and born on the 22nd May 2009 at 06:40.
OCEANS ALIVE DIVING TO OCEANWORX
Oceans Alive Diving, as changed it’s name. Carl & Juan have joined ventures to bring Umkomaas new colour and even better customer service. Aquabud Scuba still to date as not received any correspondence of the above, if they have relocated the new venture. Allegedly the new charter premises are the old Sea Fever, 1 McLean Street Umkomaas.
Please take note of the equipment hire rates which are as follow:
FULL EQUIPMENT (basic & scuba) R150 CASH for the day
SCUBA EQUIPMENT (BCD, REG & CYL) R100 CASH for the day
INDIVIDUAL ITEMS R40 CASH for the day
UP COMING DIVE
Durban from Calypso 06:00 for 07:00 launch Saturday (06/06) to Fontão wreck – Dive price R200
Durban from Calypso 10:00 for11:00 launch Sunday (07/06) to Doug’s Reef – Dive price R200
REMEMBER Please book your dive and your equipment hire well in advance to avoid disappoints (082 – 4506635, e mail or facebook Aquabud Group).
All dives cancelled by dives within 24 hours of launch time will have to be paid in full and equipment hire.
Regulator washed without dust cap on properly it will result for regulator to be services R500
(Please be very careful, it’s you cash after all)
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X-Ray Dive Magazine - Issue 29
By admin | May 6, 2009
Available at www.xray-mag.com
Indispensable need-to-know’s and curiosa in this issue include:
Do crabs feel pain? How did the North West Dive Expo unfold? What are ’super-reefs? Are all octopi and squid poisonous? How do I save a sea turtle? Underwater photography: How do I work with illumination underwater? Are all sea shells coiling right? Will I become radioactive if I dive Bikini atoll?
Found out about all this and more in this latest issue of X-RAY MAG.
Some of the main features and hightlights in issue 29:
* Bikini Atoll. Dutch Joost-Jan Waanders and Canadian Barb Roy went on two different trips to Bikini Atoll - Arnold Weisz fill us on on the aftermath of the atomic blasts during the Cold War.
* Kwajalein Atoll. Meanwhile our German collague Thorsten Repp takes a closer look at some other majestic WW2 shipwrecks.
* Interview. Millis Keegan and Mathias Carvalho ask Odyssey Marine, now starring on a new series on Discovery Channel, some pointed questions about the difference between commercial underwater archeaology and treasure hunting.
* Porfolio. Argentinian born Ana Bikic - the painting environmentalist.
* Girl Diver. Cindy Ross takes look at Yoga and Diving.
* Save a leatherback. Join an expedition to save some turtles.
Also check out this issue’s Funky Gifts and New Equipment
New team members: Fredrik Isakson, Sweden has joined the team as a new editor-at-large for technical diving. In this issue he asks and answers the question; ‘Technical diving - Why? - check it out. Illustrations by award-winning photographer Alex Dawson. Please also welcome Bonnie McKenna as our new co-editor for the sea turtles.
Enjoy!
- the X-Ray Mag team
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Underwater Photography Magazine
By admin | May 6, 2009
Check out http://www.uwpmag.com
What’s in UwP48 May/June 2009
News & Events
——————–
New Photo Website from Sea&Sea
The Fashion & Nudity Category In memory of Mike Portelly
WildPhotos 2009
BSoUP/Diver print competition winner
BSoUP Splash-In
New Products
——————–
Aquatica HD WAVE for Sony HD videos
Ikelite Nikon Coolpix L20
Gates DEEP RED
Fuji FinePix F200EXR and WPFX-F200 housing
SUBAL CD5MII for Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Ikelite Canon 5D Mark II housing
Subal ND90 for Nikon D90
Dive Rite LED LUX Canister Light
Epoque ERX-C1010 for Canon Canon Rebel XS/EOS 1010
Fantasea LED 360 light
The History of Underwater Photography and Cinematography in Italy.
Sea & Sea MDX-PRO D700 dSLR housing
Product Reviews
———————-
Panasonic LX3 and UK Germany DL4 by Peter Rowlands
Epoque ERX-C1010/C-1010-X2 by Sim Chee Ghee
UK-Germany 50D Housing by Mikko Voipio
Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2000 with Epoque/Patima housings By Sim Chee Ghee
Patima Housing for Canon G10 By Sim Chee Ghee
Techniques
—————
Compact Course Pt2 with Maria Munn
Composition and Negative Space by Mark Webster
Locations
————-
Kingdom of the Whales by Tim Rock
Adventure of an amateur By Alex Goldblum
Diving in Lake Päijänne with Sauli Havas
Sunny Skies and Strange Life in the Maluku Sea By Michael Emerson
For Muck’s Sake by Michael Gallagher
Parting Shots
by Dan Bolt, Ryan Burdeno, Tobias Reitmayr & Joe Dovala
—————————————————————————-
http://www.uwpmag.com
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East Coast Fish Watch Project
By admin | March 4, 2009
For anyone who is interested in learning about marine fish of the east Coast, take a look at the East Coast Fish Watch Project site:
From their site:
“The East Coast Fish-Watch Project, ECFWP, is an informal community enterprise designed to help us (everyone who is interested) learn more about our marine fishes and develop an awareness of the rich diversity of our fish fauna. By involving Project members and scientists in a reciprocal teaching/learning relationship, we hope to improve fish identification skills of everyone (members AND scientists) concerned. Learning to identify fishes is the essential first step to find out what is known about a particular fish species (sometimes very little) and communicate our own observations to other people. “
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Dive Report - 14 February 2009
By miguel | February 16, 2009
DIVE SITE
The plan was to dive Cooper’s Light Wreck, and unfortunately because of the sea conditions, it was changed to Chains.
We started off with chocolates for all female divers.
Weather wise it was (sunny) with a slight North Easter blowing. Sea conditions, huge swells, a strong current running North - South. Water temperature on the surface was 20 Celsius and close to the bottom at 23.4m it was a brain freeze 18 degree Celsius. LOL
Visibility wise, first 5m was murky, after that it was about 10m. Close to the bottom it closed to hardly anything, because of such bad visibility the dive was cancelled.
During the ascent we hovered at about 10m for 30min, perhaps marine life come pass. A Black tip shark was seen by 2 dives and a fair size shoal of kingfish finned past.
On the way back, red sparkling wine was served to everyone with compliment from AQUABUD.
Sunday’s Dive – Launch cancelled due to weather conditions
UP COMING DIVES
* 21st SATURDAY [LORNA’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION] Umkomaas from Oceans Alive 07:00 for 08:00 launch
AFTER PARTY, if you wish stay over at Lala Manzi Inn (budget rooms) R100 pp sharing including breakfast.
* 22nd February SUNDAY Umkomaas from Oceans Alive 07:00 for 08:00 launch
REMEMBER Please book your dive and your equipment hire well in advance to avoid disappoints (082…, e mail or facebook Aquabud Group).
All dives cancelled within 24 hours of launch time will have to be paid in full and equipment hire.
Please check mouth pieces before the dive, it will be checked after dive. If damaged R45 to replace
Regulator washed without dust cap on properly it will result for regulator to be services R500
(Please be very careful, it’s you cash after all)
PONTA DE OURO – Our trip to Mozambique not just have fun, dive but to visit Fernando (LOL) is in February from Thursday 26th February to Sunday 1st March
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Dive Report - 8 February 2009
By miguel | February 16, 2009
DIVE SITE
North Sands to Eel Skins.
Dive leader for the dive - Brent Abrahamse
Weather wise it was (sunny) with a slight if any North Easter blowing. Sea conditions were good with a slight swell. We had a bit of a current running North - South, visibility just over 10m, water temperature was 20 degrees.
The marine life observed and enjoyed on the dive. During descent we had a Sand shark and while on the way we had Starey moray, Radial firefish, Tasseled scorpionfish, Koester, Soapfish, Leopard moray, Coachman, Natal knifejaw, Doublebar chromis, Lined hogfish, Turtle, Cowrie shells, Doublelined toby, Boxy, Blackedged blaasop, Bluespotted ray, loads of Fusiliers just to name a few.
Due to the current we travel from North Sands to South Sands in 39 minutes. LOL
UP COMING DIVES
14th February SATURDAY [VALENTINE’S DAY] Durban from Calypso 08:00 for 09:00 launch “Cooper’s Light Wreck” – R200
With chocolates and Sparkling Wine on the way back - with compliments from AQUABUD SCUBA
* 15th February SUNDAY Durban from Calypso 08:30 for 09:30 launch “Doug’s Reef” – R200
REMEMBER Please book your dive and your equipment hire well in advance to avoid disappoints (0824506635, e mail or facebook Aquabud Group).
All dives cancelled within 24 hours of launch time will have to be paid in full and equipment hire.
Please check mouth pieces before the dive, it will be checked after dive. If damaged R45 to replace
Regulator washed without dust cap on properly it will result for regulator to be services R500
(Please be very careful, it’s you cash after all)
PONTA DE OURO – Our trip to Mozambique not just have fun, dive but to visit Fernando (LOL) is in February from Thursday 26th February to Sunday 1st March
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MOÇAMBIQUE TRIP - END OF FEBRUARY 2009
By miguel | January 26, 2009
MOÇAMBIQUE TRIP “PONTA de OURO”
26th FEBRUARY (Thus)– 01st MARCH (Sun) 2009
DIVER PACKAGE
Casitas: R1500.00 Logged bed with linen
* 3 nights
* 3 Dives (free air fills)
Tents: R1450.00 Logged bed with linen provided
* 3 nights
* 3 Dives (free air fills)
NON DIVER PACKAGE
Casitas: R690.00 Logged bed with linen provided
* 3 nights
Tents: R640.00
* 3 nights Logged bed with linen provided
EXCLUDES
Food/Drinks
Mozambique 3rd party car Insurance – Kosi Bay Border R160
Transportation
Equipment Hire
Marine tax – R20 to be paid on arrival at Simply Scuba
Additional dives – R270
For non-4X4 vehicle owners, you can leave your vehicle in the secured car park at the border post and Simply Scuba will transport you from and to the border post for R120 per person. Please advise us, so that we can arrange with Simply Scuba before the time. For non-South African passport holders you do require an in dated visa to enter Mozambique.
South African passports no visa required, unless no fun attitude. LOL
TO BOOK YOUR SPOT:
50% deposit (non refundable) to be paid by the 15th February and the balance by the 22nd February.
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