Wow - An Ontario Section!!

[Scuba Duffer]

Found this board by chance - and I'll be - it has an Ontario section.

My Wife and I got our cert last year and we have taken to this like...well you know. Been cert'd 7 months and already dived:

Turks and Caicos
Cozumel
Aruba

Coming Up

Florida Keys - March
B.V.I. - April

We have our own boat that we keep on Simcoe. Each year we take it down the Severn into Georgian bay for a few weeks - always up the East side towards Killarney. We just aquired our own gear this week and are looking forward to getting into our "own" water this summer. So tell me, whats out there - in Simcoe or Georgian Bay. No experience with either - we cert'd in Turks.

[wb416]

Canuck Divers once bubbled...
Found this board by chance - and I'll be - it has an Ontario section.

My Wife and I got our cert last year and we have taken to this like...well you know. Been cert'd 7 months and already dived:

Turks and Caicos
Cozumel
Aruba

Coming Up

Florida Keys - March
B.V.I. - April

We have our own boat that we keep on Simcoe. Each year we take it down the Severn into Georgian bay for a few weeks - always up the East side towards Killarney. We just aquired our own gear this week and are looking forward to getting into our "own" water this summer. So tell me, whats out there - in Simcoe or Georgian Bay. No experience with either - we cert'd in Turks.

Tobermory has some of the best collection of recreational level wrecks found in fresh water in the world. However, some of your brethren would make that claim for the St Lawrence River. Still, I don't think you'll go wrong with Tobermory.

Just don't forget to buy your pass for a nominal fee in Downtown Tobermory by the waterfront. It's a "must have" for diving in Fathom Five Marine Park. I don't think I'd bother going right now though... ya might wanna wait until at least Spring. The water's not real friendly right now! :D

Good Luck!
wb

[ScubaScott]

Welcome to the board from another canuck. Can't help you out much for the Simcoe area as I'm primarily a Lake Superior diver - however - curious as to what you dove in Aruba. The wife and I were there for our honeymoon a few years ago, and was our first saltwater experience.......

SS

[wb416]

Edited and deleted...
I had made a reference to Simcoe in this post earlier, but it looked like you meant Lake Simcoe, not town of Simcoe... so my Lake Erie info doesn't help ya!

[Scuba Duffer]

Just a one day stop in Aruba as part of a cruise. We dove with Red Sail Sports aboard the "Pasa Bon". @ dive sites - both wrecks - The Antilla and The Pedernalis.


ScubaScott once bubbled...
Welcome to the board from another canuck. Can't help you out much for the Simcoe area as I'm primarily a Lake Superior diver - however - curious as to what you dove in Aruba. The wife and I were there for our honeymoon a few years ago, and was our first saltwater experience.......

SS

[Scuba Duffer]

Oh and by the way - sorry about the screen name. I selected it before Ifound this section and didn't realize there was already a "canuck diver" - had I knownthat - I would have come up withsomething else. From what I can see, I can't change it now that I have joined.

So - sorry canuck diver - didn't mean to copy it!

[Cave Diver]

Canuck Divers once bubbled...
Oh and by the way - sorry about the screen name. I selected it before Ifound this section and didn't realize there was already a "canuck diver" - had I knownthat - I would have come up withsomething else. From what I can see, I can't change it now that I have joined.

So - sorry canuck diver - didn't mean to copy it!

I believe the user names CAN be changed. Try posting a question in the Site Support forum regarding it.

[Butch103]

you are bang on.....one can have the name changed....contact your local moderator, or tech admin. Our local mod is DivingGal. Canuck Divers.....welcome to the board. The Ontario section was created last year and has proved successful, and helpful for our special needs...;) ........It is openfor all to read, and contribute to.....we welcome your future contributions also...........

[canuckdiver]

not a problem! We'll just tell everybody that we are long-lost family!
:D

and welcome to the board! Like was said earlier, the st.lawrence is a great place for wreck diving, if you ever get this way, we can have a family reunion!

[Groundhog246]

Welcome to one of the most informative spots I've ever found on the web.


Canuck Divers once bubbled...
We have our own boat that we keep on Simcoe. Each year we take it down the Severn into Georgian bay for a few weeks - always up the East side towards Killarney. We just aquired our own gear this week and are looking forward to getting into our "own" water this summer. So tell me, whats out there - in Simcoe or Georgian Bay. No experience with either - we cert'd in Turks.
How big a boat? There are some wrecks in the Hope/Christian/Beckwith Islands. You have to pass em if you've come through the Trent and heading North.
I'd recommend picking up Chris Kohl's latest book on wrecks in the Great Lakes. I got it for Christmas 2001 and have found it a useful resource. We sail out of Meaford, if you're ever heading that way (or to Christian as we get over there a few times each summer) let me know (PM) and perhaps we'll connect.

[Scuba Duffer]

Canuckdiver - thanks for understanding

Groundhog246 - 24' Doral Cavalier. Usually when we come out of the Trent, we go inside Beausoleil Island through Honey Harbour then up the small craft channel on the East side. This coming summer, Hope/Christian/Beck with Islands are definitely inthe plans - your not the first to recommend this area - diving or not. We usually do 3 week trips so we may head for Tobermory this year. Just curious - the book you mention - does it have GPS co-ordinates?

[sparky30]

I just got that book for x-mas (actually I have several of Chris's books).. They are all excelend.. and yes, the book contains GPS and/or LORAN coordinates for most of the wrecks..It makes for some interesting reading..
Since you keep your boat on the Trent water system, why not go down to Kingston.. There is lots of stuff to see. Brokville is lilke the Canadian Carribean (sp?). I was up there last summer and the viz was 100ft and the water was 75 degrees top to bottom..
I am going for my first trip down south in a few weeks (a Blackbeard's cruise with my LDS).. Just had to see for myself what warm water diving was all about..


P.S. If you really want to see some awesome saltwarter sea life you have to try B.C. I did it in the fall and it was amazing.. All the fish seem to be on steroids.. They have wrecks, and colourfull sea life too.. Simply amazing..

[Scuba Duffer]

We may try going to the St. Lawrence some time. We have done the whole Trent Severn system - top to bottom. It takes us about 5 hours (very conservitavely) and only 3 locks and the marine railway to reach Georgian Bay. It's about 2 - 3 days and 41 locks to reach Trenton! Plus - we really love the solitude of "gunk holing" in Georgian. To us - it is some of the most spectacular scenary in the world.

I think we will definitely head that way for some diving this summer - but I think we'll be driving!!

[Boogie711]

The wife and I were there for our honeymoon a few years ago, and was our first saltwater experience.......

While I'm sure it was lovely, I'm not sure that's appropriate behaviour to be discussing on the board... :nono:


OH! You mean DIVING experience!!!!!:winkbl:

[tinman]

Canuck Divers once bubbled...
So tell me, whats out there - in Simcoe or Georgian Bay. No experience with either - we cert'd in Turks.

For Simcoe dives: http://www.scubaboard.com/t21257/s.html

For Georgian Bay: http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19156&highlight=Georgian+Bay

You will be delighted with your options in Georgian Bay, the viz is spectacular, just remember that water temp can be very cold, even in summer below the thermocline (high 30s, low 40s o F) something you don't face on the St. Lawrence.

Consider spending sometime on this board before buying your gear: it might change your mind substancially, who knows, you might even get assimulated! Welcome and dive safe.

[Ontario Diver]

I have a cottage up just south of Parry Island, if you are in the area; I can give you a nice place to drop anchor.

Diving in the Parry Sound area is kinda neat as there is not a lot of people doing it at any time but the wrecks (so far!) aren't as spectacular as those from Picton to the St. Lawrence.

But I have to agree with you about the scenery!

[Scuba Duffer]

Actually Parry Island is a place we always head to. We have some good friends with a cottage there so its our chance to sleep in a bed and get a hot shower!

Ohand as far as buying eqipment goes - too late - just bought the whole shabang this week. Headin to the keys next month to break it in!

[Ontario Diver]

I'm up on the south Channel near Amanda Island. Between Devil's elbow and Bear's Head.

Let me know when you will be up there and I'll invite you over for a steak and a beer!

[tinman]

Scuba Duffer once bubbled...
Headin to the keys next month to break it in!

Please let us know how a Canuck diver fares in the Keys...I'm considering it for '04.

"Scuba Duffer" - let me guess, you share my passion for golf and diving???!!! Try not "slicing" anything underwater - that could be bad! And "hooking" might result in an entanglement problem but feel free to "putter" around all you like.

What can I say, it's a slow day at the office...

[divedude]

tinman once bubbled...


Please let us know how a Canuck diver fares in the Keys...I'm considering it for '04.

I've been going for years, I love it. I rent a house in Big Pine Key {about 30 miles from Key West} It's cheaper than a motel or resort. If you know anything about boats you can rent one, cheaper than a charter! Damm what am I saying I run a Charter!!!
And I'm planning to retire there.

[taz22]

Scuba Duffer once bubbled...
Found this board by chance - and I'll be - it has an Ontario section.

My Wife and I got our cert last year and we have taken to this like...well you know. Been cert'd 7 months and already dived:


Coming Up

Florida Keys - March




I'll see you there!!! I'm diving in Key Largo March 9 to March 15 at Kelly's on the Bay ( www.aqua-nuts.com ). Can't wait for the Speigel Grove. Come on March woo hoo!!!

[Scuba Duffer]

True True - it also is a play onmyname.

Name change complete - this is a lot more original than my first try - Canuck Divers!!

Anyway - full report on my return -from a beginners point of view! I'll be all over FLA from Miami to KeyWest to Crystal River to WPB! Lots of diving in different locals!




tinman once bubbled...


Please let us know how a Canuck diver fares in the Keys...I'm considering it for '04.

"Scuba Duffer" - let me guess, you share my passion for golf and diving???!!! Try not "slicing" anything underwater - that could be bad! And "hooking" might result in an entanglement problem but feel free to "putter" around all you like.

What can I say, it's a slow day at the office...

[GTADiver]

Scuba Duffer....I like the new name

[Scuba Duffer]

I'll check the maps and see where you are.


Ontario Diver once bubbled...
I'm up on the south Channel near Amanda Island. Between Devil's elbow and Bear's Head.

Let me know when you will be up there and I'll invite you over for a steak and a beer!

[Butch103]

The keys are a great spot to dive. Check out the Florida divers section and ask questions there if you like.....Might find a dive buddy there to help you .......A little more costly than Central Florida...everything is trucked down there, but I prefer the area to any other in Florida. The last time I was there was (unfortunately) before the Spiegal went down. We were headed there this spring when DivingGal came up with a better offer.....NO NOT WHAT YOU THINK !!!!! She put me in touch with a neighbour of her mother in Barbados.........:rolleyes:

The nice thing about the Keys is there is no lacking for dive shops, big ones and small, and no lacking for places to price out gear if you need some extra.....DiversDirect is there + many others. I don't know how prices compare, but hey it is fun to poke around a dive shop the size of a small Walmart.......

[taz22]

Ummmmmmm..............HOBO'S