Newport diving - pool session?

BiteFactory · 11-28-2007, 09:48 AM

Wondering if there is any interest in going in on one or more pool sessions for diving practice/gear tryout? I don't dive nearly enough to keep current and I have some new stuff.

The Newport pool looks cheap enough (like $55/hour for a group).

wthr4d · 11-28-2007, 10:47 AM

I might be interested in a pool run. I have acess throung my instructor to the pools in corvallis and albany but I would do it to meet other Ifish divers.

Paul

Slobes · 11-28-2007, 01:03 PM

Personally I'd rather get a group together to actually head out to do some diving in open water. I've been looking to do more diving off the Oregon coast...

BiteFactory · 11-29-2007, 03:23 AM

Well, maybe a trip over to Corvallis/Albany would be better for this one. When I get my regulator/tanks I'll bump this again.

OreCoastDiver · 11-29-2007, 09:23 AM

The big disadvantage to trying out your dive gear in a pool is the difference in buoyancy between salt and fresh water. Getting your buoyancy dialed in should be a top priority for any diver.

The Research Dock in front of the Hatfield Marine Science Center is an easy dive at high slack. It's easy in, easy out. No swell. Some fun stuff to look at. This time of year the vis should be ok (like maybe 10 feet or so). The water temp is 52 or so, about the same as in the summer. Depths are less than 30 feet.

I work at the HMSC and do this dive or the South Jetty when I feel the need for a compressed air fix. Let me know if you need more info.

Brandon

Slobes · 11-29-2007, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OreCoastDiver

The big disadvantage to trying out your dive gear in a pool is the difference in buoyancy between salt and fresh water. Getting your buoyancy dialed in should be a top priority for any diver.

The Research Dock in front of the Hatfield Marine Science Center is an easy dive at high slack. It's easy in, easy out. No swell. Some fun stuff to look at. This time of year the vis should be ok (like maybe 10 feet or so). The water temp is 52 or so, about the same as in the summer. Depths are less than 30 feet.

I work at the HMSC and do this dive or the South Jetty when I feel the need for a compressed air fix. Let me know if you need more info.

Brandon

Is there public access to that dock? My dad's been saying he wants a nice easy checkout dive before any big stuff and that sounds about right...

OreCoastDiver · 11-29-2007, 10:41 AM

You can't get on the dock, but you don't want to. The best entry is from the beach west of the dock. You can park in the turn around at the north dead end of Marine Science Drive. It's a short walk to the beach, which is sandy and protected with a gentle slope. There are a few scattered big rocks that can be trippers, so watch your step.

Some of the most interesting diving is along the rocks that lead to the dock. On the west side of the dock is a ladder you can hang on to at different depths to do buoyancy checks or just catch your breath before going to the bottom. There are usually lots of crab to chase around, but most of them are little guys. There are also lots of life on the pilings and on the rocks that are fun to look at and photograph. Leave your spear home, however, I've only seen one fish that was worth taking a shot at, and that was a black rockfish, which is hardly worth the effort IMHO.

-Brandon

Slobes · 11-29-2007, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OreCoastDiver

You can't get on the dock, but you don't want to. The best entry is from the beach west of the dock. You can park in the turn around at the north dead end of Marine Science Drive. It's a short walk to the beach, which is sandy and protected with a gentle slope. There are a few scattered big rocks that can be trippers, so watch your step.

Some of the most interesting diving is along the rocks that lead to the dock. On the west side of the dock is a ladder you can hang on to at different depths to do buoyancy checks or just catch your breath before going to the bottom. There are usually lots of crab to chase around, but most of them are little guys. There are also lots of life on the pilings and on the rocks that are fun to look at and photograph. Leave your spear home, however, I've only seen one fish that was worth taking a shot at, and that was a black rockfish, which is hardly worth the effort IMHO.

-Brandon

Thanks for the great info

SRV240 · 11-29-2007, 04:43 PM

is there still an extremely large tire and a lot of hungry man dinner boxes there

BiteFactory · 11-29-2007, 05:04 PM

Thanks Brandon. Sounds like a plan. When I get my stuff soon I'll drop you guys a note.