OWSI

Another open water course completed yesterday (29 & 30 December 2010)

MATTHEW O KEECH
JOHN R FINGLETON
CALOGERO M PANVINO 

165-168

Open Water Course

We started with a pool session in Lilli Pilli Pool where there was some concrete grinding going on nearby that made it very difficult to talk to the students in the pool. One student had to repeat the tread water session at the end of the skills and everyone completed their closed water dives succesfully.

The wind was howling from the West and the mouth of the Georges River was like a washing machine as we left the pools to travel down to Oak Park for our first open water dive. I was amazed to find Oak Park as flat as a mill pond. There was not even a ripple near the waters edge as it is completely sheltered from the Westerlies.
We had a great first dive and was visited by very friendly blue gropers, goat fish and even saw a small bull ray departing as we approached.

Day 2 was at Bare Isalnd where we had our final 3 dives. The swell from the South East was quite large and at high tide it was a bit hairy getting out on the East side of the island.
After the first dive the swell settled as the tide dropped so we completed all three dives on the East side.

Another 3 successfully entered the ranks of Open Water Scuba Diver.

160-164

Busy time for diving

I have a few OW courses booked for the next few weeks but my next shore dive is Sunday December 19th at Windy Point.

I hope to see you there

I have no idea where the name Windy Point comes from, perhaps because to dive here you need calm seas, normally present when there are strong westerly winds. Head past Cronulla as if going to Oak Park. Drive down Ewos Parade past Shelly Park and turn left into Rostrevor Street. Park near the end and walk down the small access path between the houses to the waterfront.
The dive site is seen as soon as you reach the concrete walkway. There is a path down on to the rock platform straight ahead of you. Go to the right once you reach the rocks and zigzag to the bottom of the platform. There are a couple of good entry and exit points, depending on the tides. Try either of the small inlets or the small point in between. A good exit point is the flattish rock to the north-east. Check that the conditions are okay for entry and exiting before gearing up as this can be a difficult spot to exit in north-easterly winds.





Courtesy Michael McFadyen Site

OWSI - Oak Park & Bare Isand 4 dives

Another weekend of Open Water Instruction. Things are getting really busy now the summer has arrived and the class numbers are huge:. With plenty of instructors on hand Abyss are able to still maintain the instructor/student intimacy and deliver an excellent training package for new studensts.

I certified 2 students this weekend : PAUL ARUNDEL and KRISZTIAN  KORMO. They both breezed through their confined water dives and quickly took to the ocean without any drama. After our ocean skills were completed we still had time for a few swims which was just like diving with certified buddies.

Paul, Me & Kris