Kirkfield Quarry

[boney]

I've been thinking about getting a group together to dive the Kirkfield quarry. I was thinking Aug 23rd or 24th, thats Sat and Sun respectively. We'll pick one of the dates and likely do two dives that day.
I believe there is a $5 entry fee per diver and we would need at least 5 divers to go. Myself and my buddy would likely be going but we need at least 3 more...

Anyone... anyone... (you know the rest...)

I'm mostly doing this by the seat of my wetsuit and haven't actually organized something like this before but hopefully it works out!!!

[DivingGal]

Great that you are organizing something, bravo!!! I'd say I'd go, but I've already got a diving date :D

A question for you though, why 5 divers?

[Roncone]

I might be into it! Never dove there...

What's the water tempo? Warm I figure...

How far is it from downtown T.O.?

Any other details?

Ron (itchin' to dive)

[boney]

DivingGal - from my understanding it is privately owned and I believe it makes more sense for the owner to open up the quarry for groups of people as opposed to just two divers. This is just my theory though, as I am not 100% sure.

Roncone - I can see the waters being the same as Lake Simcoe if not warmer as I imagine it will be a smaller body of water. As for how far it is from downtown, I live at Finch and DonMills and it took us about 30-40 minutes to get to Jackson's point, I would add maybe another 15 minutes from there. Depending on where you are maybe add another 15 minutes... all in all just over an hour for you I am guessing. Below is the map...

http://www.scuba2000.com/pdf_forms/kirkfield_quarry.pdf

I've never been there either but I think it would be kinda neat.
Other details... I figure we would want to start relatively early, maybe try to hit the water for around 10:30ish AM.

[crispos]

I can potentially come with a buddy. I want to see the plane they sunk.

[Roncone]

I'm in!

BTW, if there less than 5 of us, I guess we can all split the $25, I assume.

Ron

[deep_ocean]

Count me in. I'd love to come.
I'd prefer Saturday, but Sunday is OK too.
Will be coming from down-town TO, so can car poll.

I guess it'd be a double tank dive ???

Thanks,

deep_ocean

[diverlady]

I'd be interested in going and might (that's a big maybe!!) be able to bring along a diver or two extra. I'd need to know a definite date/time to confirm. Weekend works best for me.

Diverlady

[Roncone]

I'll be coming from downtown T.O. as well, ocean...

The carpool thing would be good.

Ron

[deep_ocean]

Sure, let's stay in touch. Once we have the definite date/time, we can arrange to meet.

Thanks :)

deep_ocean

[Roncone]

Will do!

Ron

[Warren_L]

Speaking of Kirkfield quarry, does anyone know if this is open any time, and is there a fee to get in to dive?

[Roncone]

Can we dive without power?

:D

[deep_ocean]

Sure we can, as long as we don't use any ligths and A/C

:D

[Roncone]

Have we decided on a day yet?

[bigz]

Kirkfield Quarry is not open "anytime". However, you can arrange access by calling Ken Wilson, who manages the property. His number is 705-438-3186. The fee is $20 minimum and $5 per diver for 5 or more people. There are no "facilities" but the site is VERY clean. Let's all help to keep it that way. Visibility varies depending on weather and numbers of divers on site. A good day is 15 - 20 feet. Water temps right now are in the 70 F range. This is a large body of water as far as quarries go but max depth will be around 30 ft.

Washroom facililties are available at the nearby Kirkfiled Lift Lock, along with picnic tables and trash cans.

[Warren_L]

Yes, managed to contact Ken on Sunday, so we dove the quarry around noon. What a beautiful day. Water was 77F at the bottom, only down to about 25 feet or so. Visibility was not the best, but we toured around the quarry and saw the plane, boat, and a few curious bass.

[diverlady]

77F???
:eek: I was hoping to try out my new 7mil jumpsuit with hooded sleeveless shorty next weekend. Might be a little warm for that.

Diverlady

[Warren_L]

Wore my 7mm without the jacket, no hood, no gloves, and it was fine. We managed to squeeze out 80 minutes of bottom time with one tank.

[D M I]

Hello

I can't understand why any one can get a thrill out of diving this quarry, I dove it once its nothing more than a silt bath, maybe I'm just spoiled and have been diving the 1000 island area to much.

Cheers

D M I

[Warren_L]

Well, for me it was interesting to try Kirkfield as I have never dove it before. I don't know that I would go there frequently, but for me, half the fun is trying something new.

[Roncone]

I agree.

And now that I expect it to be a silt bath, I know I won't be disappointed.

:D

Ron

[bigz]

Not always a silt bath and....it gives you incentive to work on your bouyancy control! As quarries go, it is one of the better spots in southern Ontario. The big plus, of course, is that it is only an hour and a half from home! Not the every weekend type of place, but certainly several times a year.

[Roncone]

I look forward to it!

[D M I]

Hi

After 27 years of diving my Bouyancy better be fine, I just don't see the excitement of diving in a hole in the ground, but I'm only speaking for my self and others may love to play around in the silt.

Cheers

D M I

[Warren_L]

Not only good to practice buoyancy control, but a good place to practice navigation. Ken gave us maps of the quarry with headings to the various sunken objects in the quarry. Neat!

[deep_ocean]

Let's go it!
Let'g go right now !!!
Oh, wait... my regs are being serviced...

:D

D M I - are you SURE you don't wnat to come? Maybe you're just shy?
Don't be, we're a friendly bunch, or at least I hope we are...;)

[bigz]

Anyone available to go on Saturday - Aug 23rd?

[deep_ocean]

I'm good for either Sat or Sun, but would prefer Saturday.

[boney]

Hey GUys,

sorry for the late reply... I just called up the quarry this morning and booked a spot for 10AM on Saturday August 23rd, that this saturday.
Looks like we will have anywhere between 6-10 divers!!! Should be a good turn out!

We'll see you all there!!!

Boney

[deep_ocean]

Ron,

e-mail me at deep_ocean@sympatico.ca and let's figure out hte details.

Thanks.

[D M I]

OK! I'll come only if I can drive my sub.

D M I

[Roncone]

10 am Sat sounds good. I'll e-mail you tonight, ocean.

R.

[bigz]

Excellent...I'm in the Avenue Road/401 area if anyone wants to car pool/needs a lift.

[boney]

Just a reminder...

my buddy and I will likely do two dives, so if you're renting or filling your tanks be sure to get/fill two!

Don't know if this is a good idea or not, but maybe PM me if you are confirmed just so that we can get a headcount of who's going as that will determine the price...

[Warren_L]

I found that one tank was plenty for me. I started around 2900 psi and drew it down to 500psi by the end. Had total bottom time about 78 minutes.

[boney]

I kinda suck back air real fast so I guess my buddy and I will have to surface while you're still down there...
Oh well... at least it will give me time to switch film...

[diverlady]

I can probably make it on Saturday too. I'll e-mail the others I mentioned it to tomorrow to see if they can make it. I'll keep you posted as to the number.

Nothing like a good Braille dive in Kirkfield. I need to figure out the lead requirement for my new suit.

Diverlady

[Warren_L]

An image from Kirkfield Quarry....

[Roncone]

Isn't that Little Cayman?

[bigz]

yea - sure - probably at low tide!:D

Roncone - are you coming on Saturday?

[Roncone]

The original plan was to definitely be there.

Something came up yesterday and I will be busy on Sat until 10:30AM.

I may be able to get that switched but it seems unlikely.
If I show up around noon, do you think that it will be too late?

Ron

[bigz]

shouldn't be a problem

some will be doing 2 dives.....we'll wait for you, as long as it's not too late my planned departure for T.O. is around 3PM

[Roncone]

Then I'm still in!!

Ron

[Roncone]

Do you think a 3mm full length without hood/gloves would be ok for Kirkfield on Sat?

Ron

[Warren_L]

My dive buddy wore a full 3mm without hood and gloves, and she was fine. The water temp should still be in the mid 70s.

[Roncone]

Beautiful, thank you!

[dreid]

Hello,

I am very new to diving, just certified in June 03, and only have 9 dives in my log book so far.

Would you guys mind a new diver tagging along?
Also would there be someone there to buddy up with?
Or is it BYOB?

[diverlady]

Come on up! It really shallow, very good for new divers as well as seasoned vets. You'll get a buddy or be in a threesome.
Everyone is welcome!!

10am is the meeting time.

Diverlady

[Warren_L]

Look for the "fornicating" turtles ..... hint: they are near the barrells.

[dreid]

Ok, count me in. I'll try and be there for 10am. If my plans change I will let you guys know if I won't be there.
I'll probably only do 1 dive as I have to be back home around 1pm or so.

And I will see if I can get someone to tag along with me, if I can't then I will be there by myself.

The only thing that worries me a little is the water temp. It looks like it will be warm and all I own is a cold water wetsuit (bare 7mm-2 piece), no shorty yet....

[Warren_L]

Dreid, don't sweat it, I wore 7mm farmer johns without the jacket, no hood, or gloves and was fine.

[boney]

I've only got a 7mm 2-peice as well, likely the same suit as you. I figure better to be warm than cold. Probably just go without hood and or gloves.

Diverlady looks like there maybe another buddy out there yet...

Threesomes are always fun too!:D

We'll see everyone at the quarry...

Boney

[Roncone]

I'll be there with a buddy between 12 and 12:30. Hopefully there will still be some people lingering around...

Will we have trouble getting in?

Ron

[diverlady]

Looks like my buddy isn't going to bail on me after all. Although, we need to be back by about 2-2:30pm as he has another committment.

I don't mind being in a threesome - the scubadiving kind!! :out:

We'll probably be there before 10am.

Diverlady

[boney]

Hey Roncone

just spoke with them about the situation.
I had asked if it was OK if someone showed up at around noon while the rest of us show up at the predetermined time (10AM) and she said she would let Ken know to expect someone else at around noonish... so it should be OK... When we get there we can alway talk to them and let them know that you will be coming by then...

[Warren_L]

As long as someone is there, the gate will be unlocked and open (Ken won't lock it up with people in the quarry). He'll probably leave the disclaimer book behind so that anyone else who shows up can sign in.

[deep_ocean]

Guys, I was hapilly planning to go in a 7mm one-piece full suit until all the talk about shorties, 3mm etc. :D Should I go in a 3 mm shortie instead? What are you guys wearing - for diving that is :D

thanks

deep_ocean

[Roncone]

Thanks for all the help.

I look forward to seeing all of you on Sat.

Ron

[diverlady]

LOL Deep_ocean!! And people say women worry about what they're wearing too much!! :D

For the record, I'll be wearing my 6.5mil jumpsuit and taking my 5/4mil jumpsuit with hood and gloves.

Now I'll be wearing primarily black (it's slimming) so don't everybody go copying me on that!! :out:

Diverlady

[bigz]

for those needing driving directions to the quarry, I've posted the info on the Scuba 2000 Diving Board. I believe that the shop also has a map on their website.

[Warren_L]

Here's the map I used. Might be the same one as on the board.

Download and rename to .PDF. For some reason the board will not take PDF files.

[boney]

Just read the post from Bigz on the S2K board.
For those of you not on it... he will have a sign on his silver Highlander that says SCUBA BOARD DIVERS. I have given my name to the people at the quarry - which is Hamesh, just in case they ask and if I drive I will be in my black Jetta or if my buddy drives we will be in his silver golf.

See you all there!!!

[dreid]

I had a great time today guys....thanks!

It definitely was a great start to my day.

It may be shallow, but it's close to home and great for working on those navigation skills!
Sorry I had to bail before the 2nd dive but work called and had to go in.....
Also some of those fish are huge!!!

[Roncone]

I got there at about 1:30 -- stuck in traffic

I found the water to be very warm. Much lower vis than I would have expected. Must be tons of fish in there, given how many I saw with such little vis.

Never saw the plane or the bus, but found a tricycle, a tire and an empty bleach jug...

Beautiful day and a great excuse to get out of the city.

Ron

[diverlady]

I just scanned the posts here again and I forgot to look for the "fornicating turtles"! LOL
I did see the car, plane and boats but not the bus.

A good day. It was great to meet you all that went. Thanks Boney for arranging it.

Diverlady

[boney]

I was actually surprised that everything worked out:wacko:
But everything turned out great in the end. The visibility was fairly low but the warm water temps made up for that.
I'll try and post some picks up hopefully before the end of this week...

We should do that again sometime...:)

[deep_ocean]

Boney: thanks for puttingit together.
BigZ: thanks for the ride, the tips and great navigation.
Everyone: thanks for making it fun.

Even with such low vis, it was a great dive. Next week I'm off to St. Lawrence :) Can't wait.

I'll try to put up a couple of pix tonight.

deep_ocean

[bigz]

A truly excellent day. I wasn't surprised at the low viz, given the temperatures of late. Lots of algae. Deep_Ocean and I had 2 great dives and had a fun eyeballing some really big bass. The trips along the walls were really nice. We managed to hit the cruiser and the plan right on the button and on our second dive we found the sailbot. We also found a mini-thermocline in a pocket of rocks at abour 25'. It was very near the wall along the southeast side and may have been a spring source. Boney - this worked out really well. I'll hang on to the sign for our next gathering! Cheers to all who dove with us on Saturday.:) :) :)

[boney]

Just wanted to add my thanks to Bigz for the contact info.
It wouldn't have happened without you! :D
And thanks to everyone for showing up!!!
Bigz - it did work out really well... almost too well... ;) LOL!!!

[deep_ocean]

Go to

http://www.photoisland.com

login: deep_ocean
password: canucks

On the left hand side there is a folder called Kirkfield dive - click on it.

Just a few shots.

[Roncone]

Nicely done!

Love the lightning shot!

Ron

[deep_ocean]

Ron, you're not concentrating - we are discussing the UNDER WATER pictures :D
not the lightning pics :D

thanks anyway

[Roncone]

Sorry, let me rephrase...

I loved the lightning shot AS WELL !! :)

Too bad we didn't get to hook up. I get there pretty late (about 1:30).

Ron

[boney]

Good Pics Deep_ocean!!!
I hope mine turn out as good as yours. I get them tomorrow so I'll sift through the good ones and try to post something up thursday.. hopefully.

Roncone - we can always set this up again...:D