How many of you dive or would like to dive a reef someday?

[sp1187]

I did Tobermory in July in a wetsuit. Not as cold as Ice diving, but still cold enough that the boat captain was pouring hot water inside our wetsuits before each dive. And FWIW - I had upgraded my reg after my freeze up so no problems there! The wetsuit, however didn't get upgraded until after. Now, I wouldn't even consider a Ohio dive without my Drysuit! Well, Circleville twin quarries is pretty much bathing suit diving june-september so that doesn't count (but with their max depth of 15' - they hardly count as dives!

Tobermory, you do the arabia? 120' deep. water temp 39 degrees year round.
we used to drive down from michigan to do our students o/w checkout dives.
salisbury quarry, west of maumee, until it closed with development.
and then portage quarry down near bowling green.

 

[hhaase]

Came really close while I was in College. Took the course, and all I had left to do was my certification dive. But I hurt my shoulder or something, it's been a while and I can't remember the details, and I just never got back to it. I do regret not finishing up the certification.

 

[Subsea]

I enjoy free diving, but living in Pittsburgh I rarely get the opportunity. Any time I have a beach vacation coming up I start re-training months in advance for breath holding and such to extend how long I can dive. Not nearly scuba, but being able to check out sea life for a full minute or 2 is quite nice. or at least be able to dive down to 30 feet or so to see something out of reach to most. Went to Hawaii for my Honeymoon about 5 years ago and was out diving on the reefs every day for 2 weeks. One of my favorite memories

Not having the bubbles makes for more interesting viewing of the wildlife. I saw a video demonstration with Giant Squid feeding in Sea of Cortez. Way toooo bold for me.

Are you familiar with bubbelless diving equipment?

 

[diverrad]

Back in the day when I was a professional diver.

 

[Billdogg]

Tobermory, you do the arabia? 120' deep. water temp 39 degrees year round.
we used to drive down from michigan to do our students o/w checkout dives.
salisbury quarry, west of maumee, until it closed with development.
and then portage quarry down near bowling green.

It’s been a long time - 1994? So I really don’t remember the names of the wrecks. What I can’t forget is the home chilling water!
Portage has always been a good place. Did my checkouts there. White star is nice if there’s not a crowd.
Gil is has been my favorite for quarry dives although it gets real crowded now. When we first started diving there, a busy day was 6 divers. I miss the days when it was owned by Dan Diller. When it got bought the atmosphere of the place seemed to change. Still a great local dive spot however.

 

[ca1ore]

Got certified in my 20s. Did hundreds of dives until about 45, then a lot less. Did a Palau live aboard for my 40th. Pretty much the pinnacle of diving .... not much to do after that. Plus it’s depressing to see how the reefs have deteriorated. Just turned 60 so I’m quite content to sit out on my deck and leave diving to the young guys and gals.

 

[dbowman5]

other:
one scuba dive, Cayman Islands. certified SCBA responder, one Emergency, cyanide gas accident in an industrial facility.
i preferred the shallow dive with my son. less decon after

 

[design.maddie]

I was SCUBA certified but hated it. I have gone SCUBA diving down to some deep reefs in Yucatan too and just was miserable the entire time. I do like playing with the BCD though.

 

[Fish Think Pink]

Don't like to get my face wet - instructor had a COW with me - by end of class, voted "most improved diver" because so methodical about mask clearings, etc - but its because I don't like to get my face wet. Picked up a couple extra certifications just to stay safer

FISH are worth getting my face wet!! My best trip was a live aboard in Bahamas, but any time 1:1x with fish is AWESOME! Manatees in Crystal River initially scared heebie jeebies out of me, but was wonderful drift dive

Hawaii right before COVID closed down everything finally got to see turtles, but that was just snorkeling ... Snorkeling used to be harder work - I've become more buoyant

 

[Rmckoy]

My wife is a certified diver .
before covid . I started and completed the written part of padi
Waiting for the instructor to open to book the water part .

living in Canada .
sadly we don’t have any coral reefs close , but a lot of freshwater lakes to explore ship wrecks etc .

once covid is gone , I’ll finish and plan a trip

 

[Nick Steele]

I have been certified for 3 years now. Haven’t really been diving much (20 or so dives) due to moving up to fort Pierce where the water isn’t as nice. I still Freedive frequently which I find my more fun and relaxing as I can spend much more time in and underwater.

Love this one looks like it could be an album cover for a band

 

[wcroft987]

Currently my favorite dive has been Bon Aire.

 

[scubaboy]

NAUI Instructor for 21 years now, IT (Instructor Trainer) for 3 yrs and continue to teach. Land locked in DFW area, so 99.9% of check out dives are in lakes or quarries. My wife and kids dive also, we dive all over the Caribbean. Absolutely love the ocean, blue water, white sand and "tasty waves"!

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I have been certified for 3 years now. Haven’t really been diving much (20 or so dives) due to moving up to fort Pierce where the water isn’t as nice. I still Freedive frequently which I find my more fun and relaxing as I can spend much more time in and underwater.

Love this one looks like it could be an album cover for a band

Fort Pierce isn’t too bad. Short drive south to Stuart and you have the House of a Refuge and Bathtub beach reef. Bathtub can be snorkeled and house fo refuge can be as well, provided you have a good hold time. Diving is best at house of refuge though.

I was actually at both last week and visibility was lower than normal due to all of the resanding on the beaches, but Fort Pierce Jetty was awesome for snorkeling on the beach side. Just got to get there before the fisherman and have a lookout lol.

 

[Nick Steele]

@Eagle_Steve
Bathtub is one on my favorite spots if only they would leave it alone to do its own thing so we could visit it more. Good spot for lobster.

I also like pepper park in Fort Pierce but not many good vis days.

I really should get out more to familiarize myself with the lay of the land and then I would do more diving.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

@Eagle_Steve
Bathtub is one on my favorite spots if only they would leave it alone to do its own thing so we could visit it more. Good spot for lobster.

I also like pepper park in Fort Pierce but not many good vis days.

I really should get out more to familiarize myself with the lay of the land and then I would do more diving.

I agree. They should put up a dang wave break or sea wall along the shore and let it be a reef and not a beach. Heck with all this pumping sand in every 4 months. It’s one or the other beach or reef. Poor little worms is all I have to say lol.

 

[Jekyl]

I'm just waiting to go swimming in @vetteguy53081 new tank

 

[diverrad]

Currently my favorite dive has been Bon Aire.

Born air was always ne of my favorite for shore diving just drive along the beach walk in and dive. The red slave huts near the end of the island was my favorite spot to see big life like Ray’s and even a mako once in a while.

 

[Everything Aquatics]

I am a certified diver but around here I don't see any reefs(still amazing). I am going diving on a reef for the first time this year!

 

[DivingTheWorld]

First certified in 1990, later again in college because it counted for PE credits! ;Woot Certified Advanced a few years later in Australia. Been diving many of the worlds oceans from 48 degree Fort Brag CA, to Lake Tahoe to 90 degree Cayman Islands. Our favorite spot is Palau where we've been a few times. We even got engaged there in 2006. Look at those crazy kids!

Our next trip WAS planned for Egypt this summer but Covid threw a wrench into our plans...