Northwest Dive Club

Did a long week-end at Kal and Ann's place ... Strong Water ... up in Egmont. It's the first time I've been up there since Porpoise Bay Charters moved to this place from their previous location in Sechelt. I like this location way better. Used to be you'd go out and spend the day on the boat, because the dive sites were all pretty far away. Now all the dive sites are really close ... longest ride we had all week-end was about 20 minutes, and both the Skookumchuck and Agammemnon powerlines are maybe 10 minutes from their dock. We did nine dives ... eight different sites ... and they were all new to me. Vis was generally pretty good ... 30 to 50 feet, with one exception ... and so I got to finally try out the wide-angle lens I purchased for the new camera.

Prior to these dives, I'd only had the camera in the water three times ... and that with the macro lens. This time I used the wide-angle exclusively for all nine dives. Got a lot of really crappy pictures, as I played with settings and strobe positions to try learning this new setup. But every once in a while I'd get something I liked.

Here's a sampling ... Diver_C was my photo subject and dive buddy ...

















... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Wow! Looks like fantastic diving, Bob. I hope you guys had fun on par with these great photos.

Ben

Very nice, Bob. Looks like your wide angle is a winner
It sure helps that your model wasn't wearing all black. That is always the problem with my wide angle/diver pics.
I really like the cloud sponges...

Lovely photos, as always Bob!

My boyfriend likes to use me as a subject because my drysuit is purple...makes total sense, but rarely does anyone consider that in their gear purchase

Great pictures, Bob! Did you do Agamemnon Wall? That's on my bucket list.

Agamemnon Wall (The power lines) and Skukumchuck are among my favorite all time dives. Thanks for the pictures and the memories.
-Curt

Yes, we did Agammemnon Wall (power lines) ... the cloud sponges are huge and prolific. However, I liked the smaller but more numerous ones at Captain's Island better. Here's a shot from Agammemnon ...



The biggest problem with Agammemnon Wall is that it's become too popular ... damage from divers with poor buoyancy control has taken a toll. Pressure from commercial fishing hasn't helped. The sponges were amazing, but I can only imagine what it must have been like before National Geographic turned it into a "must" dive for every AOW student with a camera.

We did Skookumchuck Rapids twice ... it's the only dive we did twice, because we hit it during a really good exchange. It's a beautiful dive, but it just didn't do it for me photography wise. Even during a low exchange, the current was turning us every which way but loose ... and although the wall was just carpeted with colorful anemones and ochre stars, I didn't take many pictures and didn't have any that I'd call "keepers" ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Wow!!! Those dives look amazing! Great pics!

Phenomenal as usual Bob!

Very Nice. Make me have even stronger hope I get to do cold water diving again.

I agree with Agamennon Wall, It is fantastic! Stagg wall is good as well but my latest favorite dive is Captains Island.
Kal and Anne, They run a good, safe, fun operation. If you hadn't had the opportunity...try and go!!!
Kirsten

Great diving with you Bob, per usual!! No question Captain's Island best dive of the weekend.