Headed to Tobermory on 14-15

[Tractor Tom]

With a group of folks from The Dive Shop in Flint (MI), diving with G&S Dive shop. Anyone able to guess at the general conditions and water temps for 10 days from now?

Does making these dives make me an Ontario Fresh Water Freak, even tho' I live on the wrong side of the bridge?

[DivingGal]

frankenmuth_tom once bubbled...
Does making these dives make me an Ontario Fresh Water Freak, even tho' I live on the wrong side of the bridge?

But of course it does!

[Boogie711]

Tom - I apologize about our regulator here.

See, we would welcome you, or anyone who's had the chance to dive in Ontario's Water Wonderland. But to be fair, (and this is where DG screwed up by not mentioning this) there are a few things you need to do first.

We have the small initiation fee - please send $50 via paypal to my address for administration fees, etc. Once that clears, you receive a personalized T-Shirt, assuming June comes through on those.

Secondly, we have the hazings. Although the rumours you've heard may be true, I just want to point out that most of the stuff comes off with varsol after three or four days, and as long as you don't touch your eyes, ears or nose for a few hours afterward, you should be just fine. Otherwise, I'd recommend taking some antibiotics about three days before the actual event.

[Groundhog246]

Boogie711 once bubbled...
Secondly, we have the hazings. Although the rumours you've heard may be true, I just want to point out that most of the stuff comes off with varsol after three or four days, and as long as you don't touch your eyes, ears or nose for a few hours afterward, you should be just fine. Otherwise, I'd recommend taking some antibiotics about three days before the actual event.

hehehehe :D I think the peanut butter is the worst.

[Groundhog246]

frankenmuth_tom once bubbled...
With a group of folks from The Dive Shop in Flint (MI), diving with G&S Dive shop. Anyone able to guess at the general conditions and water temps for 10 days from now?

Cold? ;)

Seriously, I haven't been up that way, but I'm being told it's currently under 40F and not likely to be much warmer by that weekend. We've a 14 year old booked for OW that weekend. It's taking place just North of Owen Sound and we're hoping it'll be a little warmer than that. We may take a dip up that way this weekend and can let you know what conditions are like (that's about 50 miles form Toby on much the same body of water).

[seahunter]

'Coupla' out-of-towners might be just what the OFWFs need to strengthen the gene pool!

Or we could start a division of the OFWF - maybe the OFWFWO (the Ontario Fresh Water Freaks Who've Overqualified) or the OFWSF (Ontario Fresh Water Super Freaks) or maybe the OFWFWDFAE (Ontario Fresh Water Freaks Who Don't Fit Anywhere Else).

I've got it!! The OFWFNRTTOC - the 'Ontario Fresh Water Freaks Not Related To The Original Club'

Remember franken_.... , this is Canada. There's a place for everybody!

We had a group of new divers in Toby 3 weeks ago. The water was 37 and it rained and blew cold all weekend but,... they all had a great time. That was the weekend just after maryjane became legal in Canada!!

BTW, G&S is running smoothly already. We'll see you up there.

[Tractor Tom]

....you know, between the diveshops and the organized runs, I have more tee shirts now than I did in college. So much the pity that they don't get out of the closet much.

My first dive in Lake Fenton, just after the ice went off was with a water temp of about 38 degrees at the surface and right at 30 at 50 feet (funny thing about fresh water under pressure, it doesn't freeze the way you would expect it to). My biggest concern is staying warm when NOT diving, as we're traveling with the little 5th wheel trailer and staying at the campground in Tobermory. I guess I'll have to make sure to bring lots of firewood and things to make "warming" drinks.

OK, I just have to ask....but I fear the answer. What's the peanut butter used for?????:)

[Tractor Tom]

We'll be diving Kingston the second week of August.... don't have any details for that one, but I intend to go....

[Groundhog246]

frankenmuth_tom once bubbled...
[BOK, I just have to ask....but I fear the answer. What's the peanut butter used for?????:) [/B]

Hogging!! I'll PM you more as it's relates to my LDS and might be consdiered advertising. ;)

[Stoo]

Hey Tom...

I dove the Arabia and Forest City last Sunday. Great vis... about 40-50 feet. Temp up top was about 34F, and about 36F at 150. No probs in a dry suit, but if you're diving wet... well don't be looking to impress the girls when you get out!

The gang I was diving around had no problems with regs, but the sound of freezeups could be heard near the tugs from time to time (I live up the street.)

Both Perry @ G&S and Susan @ Divers Den are really fussy about keeping their air dry, so you shouldn't have any problems.

Enjoy your trip!

Stoo

[Groundhog246]

Just heard back from someone who was up on the weekend. The did a couple of shore dives Sunday (June 8) and report water temps of 42 and no thermocline. No report of their max depth. Stated vis as "good" (it's nicer when they give it in feet, I can only assume he meant good for Toby).

Hope it helps.

My wife and I did 2 dives in a local quarry. Not very deep, but comfy at 65F. Vis about 10 feet. She was working on navigation (following a compass course), so the low vis kept her from cheating. On our first dive she managed to keep us on course well enough to find both platforms, the further one, probably about 400 feet away. On the second she took us back to the closer platform, then managed a credible triangle, returning us to the platform. That marks her 18th dive. She did well with her buoyancy, managing decent stability while watching the compass, I think she's ready for AOW next weekend.