Is anyone doing Ice Dives this season?

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

Is anyone going under ice this winter? I would love to join you guys if someone has plans.

 

[underH2Oman]

Am planning on it but will need to see how ice conditions develop. The water as warm so conditions might not be great in most of the bigger lakes. Looking for late January or early March here in Ontario. Location to be determined based on conditions.
I am heading to Bonaire late February so only drinks will have ice then.

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

If you go where would the dives be?

 

[davetowz]

Yes, Ohio and Michigan. Exact location and date is dependent on mother nature. I have quite a few students lined up. Will try for some Lake Erie Ice Wreck dives this year.

 

[Spinal33]

Yups - but in Switzerland... want to come over ?

 

[underH2Oman]

If you go where would the dives be?

I am open to a lot of locations. The decision would be based on experience of group as well as the objective. Lets face it if the goal is just to go under the ice I could go in the pond down the road. With the increased visibility that comes with ice cover venturing to some locations that offer not so great vis in the summer is a great option.
I think my favorite dive in winter conditions to date is when we pushed the zodiac across the ice of Humber Bay to go dive the Sligo wreck. I think most summer divers would consider 20-25ft of vis a great dive. I don't think I have had better than 15ft on any warm water dives I have done on it, and we had 70 plus in February. We could see the wreck as we descended down from the surface.
Will need to see what conditions we get, but It will be planned as a shore access dive and some options might be;

Lake Simcoe- JC Morrison wreck
Tobermory area
Welland Scuba Park
There are also a couple of small inland lakes that I would like to explore a little and visibility is always better in the winter.