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I began scuba diving in 1994, the PADI course, and although University exams prevented me from
completing it at that time,
I eventually took it again and completed the course in December of '95.
I was certified on a blustery winter day in Niagara. My first dive was in
Sherkston Quarry where you are able to look at a train and pump station 30ft under water. It was cold and there were blizzard warnings on all the radio stations. As soon as we emerged from the water everything froze. I had to break the ice off of my bangs to move them for my PADI registration card photo.
For the second location on that first dive day we went to Queenston. The site was the Navy Hall, and the visibility was 0 ft. Yes that is zero. My second dive location was in silty muddy 32 degree (Farenheit) water where I couldn't see my own flashlight until I actually pressed it up against my mask. It was a dive by feel only. The current at that particular spot in the Niagara does a nice little circle. If you go out it will take you down the river, come back in closer to shore and there is a change in direction which carries you back to where you started. Nice.
It was wonderful. I was given instruction by one of the two best Niagara area dive stores. Dan's
Dive Shop in St. Catharines.
I also enjoy the New Years Dive in Port Dalhousie. Imagine yourself, jumping into icy
water, and exploring even though you can't feel your face anymore. Since that describes the
same conditions as my first dives, I guess I enjoy the diving more than the discomfort of the cold.
And no I do not own a drysuit!
The Niagara River is a great dive, but obviously you must know the proper locations and be aware of the incredible current. Like an astronaut, you can leap off the bottom and do slow motion somersaults, or just attain neutral bouyancy about 10 feet off the bottom and 'fly' for miles, watching the interesting scenery as it whips past, but always aware of the terrain and course (going into unknown territory at that speed, you wouldn't know what you might run into). Be sure to have a tool for hooking on to rocks and things, because if you see something interesting you might want to stay and check it out, but the current will fight you. Zebra mussels are here too so without good gloves and a tool to hang on to, your hands will have many little slice marks. I would suggest this dive to other divers but must caution you to seek local divers (ie Dan's Dive Shop or Active Watersports)for locations and suggestions. It is not a dive you want to do without some prior knowledge of the area. The falls, whirlpools and the current are very real dangers.
My dive's have included the Upper and Lower Niagara River, (though not in the same dive, Ha Ha Ha!), The Great Lakes, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, the Old Welland Canal, Kingston area, Collin's Bay, a few rivers and creeks (such as Niagara River and Chippawa Creek), Sherkston Quarry, and even a pool or two on occasion. Then there was Devil's Den (A Florida Prehistoric Spring) and a short snorkle in Key Largo. I have yet to dive in the tropics or any ocean at all. That time will come though as we are always doing something.
A seemingly flat field of grass hides a two meter hole in the ground that looks down into a big cavern filled with crystal clear water. The hole is encircled in fern like vines that drape onto mid-air thirty feet above the water. The stone walls of the watery room echo every splash. Small tunnels are visible from the surface of this pool, tunnels made by water over millions of years. Many unsuspecting animals stumbled into this hole and many fossils remain. Fossilized shells dated at 33 million years old sit on the bottom. Bones were discovered in this cavern which dated back to 7,500 B.C.. They were the bones of Early Man. On cool mornings steam rises from the hole. This scary sight, combined with the danger of the hole itself caused the early settlers to name it "The Devil's Den". Sounds kind of eerie huh?
Well here's the kicker. The water is always a comfortable 72 degrees. The sun shines in through that hole and illuminates the interior of the cavern. The water is a beautiful blue, and clear. At some point someone carved a way in from the side through a cave. Then a long staircase was built that reached to a platform placed just below the waters surface. Divers can explore the tunnels and caves that sit below the water line. Non-divers can snorkle around in the big sunny cavern and watch the water reflecting light patterns on the walls and ceilings. It is a nature made indoor pool with the bonus of having a fossil collection and tunnels. The perfect place to learn to dive.
Every year on Fathers Day, Ontario Underwater Council hosts a treasure hunt for divers. They corden off an area of the lake (Lake Ontario) and hide markers. Divers then go out and look for a marker. If you and your buddy find one, your name is put into a barrel and later, draws are made and prizes are given. The prizes are donated by shops, manufacturers, and Associations. Scuba equipment from gloves to tanks and BC's. Scuba related prizes like hats, and shirts. There is a grand prize, such as a trip, or a really nice dive computer.
I went alone and was buddied up when I got there. That was nice. We won CPR masks, a handy little safety device I keep in my car.
Dive Kingston!
Drove to Kingston and chartered a boat from Willie's Charters out of the Kingston Diving Centre.
We did two wreck sites. The first site let us explore The Comet, and the second site, held the Aloha and the Effie Mae.
The Comet!
The Comet was first. She's a 175 ft long sidewheeler and sits in 75ft of water. The water temp at depth was in the low 50's and although we felt the thermocline, we didn't mind the temperature. The ship was a beauty and the paddle wheel is still intact. A 5 or 6 foot eel (looked like the moray eel from the ocean) was sitting still in the wooden structure. Its profile and it's lack of zebra muscles caught our attention. We were about 30ft from it when it turned and looked at us. It backed out of its spot and turned its entire body toward us. We just remained still, motionless but for our bubbles. The eel really didn't care about us and just slowly swam away. Other divers had placed some broken dishes on a piece of the timber for viewing. The visibility was great, about 60 or 70ft.
The second dive took us to the Aloha and the Effie Mae.
The Aloha!
The Aloha was a coal barge that went down carrying her full load off Amherst Island. She sits at a depth of 55 ft. Her anchor and chain are still intact and unreleased in the vessell. A nice dive with a sandy bottom, it allows for playing. We laid on the bottom and looked up. We blew bubble rings. I hung around upside down for a while. We found a chair set upright on the bottom about 30 feet from the bow and took turns sitting in it and looking at the massive ship. I could envision in its active days. I could imagine standing right there on the deck under a sunny blue sky, feeling the wind, and surrounded by the sounds of seagulls and the creaking of rope against wood. Now it lies silent, still and quiet in a world of dark brown and black, and where the sun shines in with a greenish yellow cast.
The Aloha!
The Photographs of the Wrecks on this page were provided by:
Brian Taylor of Divercity, and Frank Van Gemert of Tremeg
The Effie Mae!
Beside the Aloha sits the Effie Mae. Once it was a dive charter, very much in demand by divers from all over. The Jenkins family of Deseronto originally owned her and lovingly maintained her until they were finally forced to retire. They found her a good home with the Walkers who continued to maintain her in top form until circumstances forced a decision upon them. Dock her somewhere where she would sit unused, or scuttle her and allow the Effie Mae to continue to serve the dive community. It was decided that she should retire in a location that was meaningful to her original Captain. To this end and with great sadness on the part of her current owners, the Effie Mae was carefully made into one of the more interesting dive's in the Kingston Area.
A note to add. I have changed some of the information regarding the Effie Mae at the families request. I was able to learn from them, a more personal background on this dive boat. The family wanted to share personal stories and gave me a wonderful image. The original owner, Ken Jenkins, used to sleep in the V-birth with the curtains drawn while taking charters for the Aloha dive. It was his favourite spot. Ted Walker the final owner of this boat and friend of the late Ken Jenkins imagines that his friend is probably there in spirit to this day...relaxing in the v-birth on the Effie Mae at his favourite dive spot by the Aloha.
Thank You Ted for such a wonderful image.
At Windmill Point!
On my birthday weekend, I went diving at a local campground and quarry. It is Windmill Point. Not alot to see, but I got to use my new tank and wetsuit.
Lake Ontario!
A hot day. The zodiak's first dive expedition. A short dive but it was a dive.Fort Erie Underwater Recovery Unit!
My newest adventure is just beginning. I am joining the Fort Erie Underwater Recovery Unit. Two of my Uncles belonged to it when the Unit first began. One day I met a person wearing a Fort Erie Underwater Recovery Unit logo, and began asking questions. I was invited to attend a meeting, or a barbeque, or a dive, or all of the above. It took a while but eventually I decided to take up the offer. I went to a meeting and was greeted by a large group of divers who run a very active and friendly club. Monthly meetings are held at the same clubhouse my Uncle Jack and Uncle Richard used to attend. The clubhouse used to be the original pumphouse for the Town of Fort Erie and sits right at the river's edge. I really have to get to a meeting. Click the link in the list below to check it out!Innerkip Quarry!
My first dive with the unit. A small town called Innerkip near Woodstock boasts Trout Lake, a quarry divers enjoy. It has two sunken buses, a few cars, and two planes for divers to enjoy. We found a bus and a car. Never did find the planes, but the visibility on this dive went from about 0 - 6 ft.. It depended on whether the bottom was stirred up or not. The water was 65 degrees and felt great.
 Home My ScubaTrish Homepage. |
| Who I am! What I do! A bit about me, and links to my other sites. |
| My Dives information about dives and wrecks, photos and links |
| My Photography Page travel, local, award winners, favourites. |
| My Health "Start-Up" Page a beginner's guide to health, nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction |
| My Tobermory Page One of Ontario's best diving, camping, and hiking spots. |
| My Niagara Page information and photographs of local spots, activities, cycling routes, and tourism links. |
| My Flight Page information and photographs of aircraft and flights taken recently. |
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