Sydney Sub Aqua Club

Blown out... better luck next time!

Ross

Three great dives on some of the best sites Shellharbour has to offer.

In an attempt to break the world record for the most $$$'s per dive, three fearless adventurers set off to Mooloolaba (about 1 1/2 hours north of Brisbane) to dive the HMAS Brisbane, which was scuttled just off the coast there in July 2005.

We stayed at the Mooloolaba Motel (no expenses spared on the accommodation) and as it was at 10pm on a Friday night, there is only one place to go for a cleansing ale: the classy and conveniently located Wharf Hotel.

Saturday arrived all to early but the...

An excellent weekend.  The students (Tash, Pete, Helen & Matina) worked really hard (harder than the instructors Ross & Rick?).  We even managed a barbie as well... wonders will never cease.  Now all that needs to happen is the students scheduling their diving assessments; over to you guys!

Well.. an interesting experience.  The fist sign that we weren't in for a pleasant dive was the surfers enjoying the break near the entry point.  Never mind; nothing ventured, nothing gained and all that.  Michelle and I bailed as the dive wasn't really twins friendly but a few others (Rick, Pete, Tom, Ben & Helen) battled on.  They found the viz to be less than perfect and the purported drift absent.  The post-dive barbeque had to be relocated to sydney as after frying for an hour (rescued b...

Well some may have had their doubts as we set off from Sydney and the clouds started to form.

Friday morning and though overcast the weatehr was fine and a dive at low tide was planned. As we kitted up the clouds cleared and the sun came out - perfect. A fun dive was had by all, except Roy who's dry suit flooded.

Friday at dusk we jumped in for our second shore dive, the water was calm and the fish were going to bed, as we surfaced dolphins danced around the divers.

Well earned ...

Great set of dives, great company what more can you ask for a dive weekend away. Sharks, Dolphins, a marlin and even a snake eel. Great to find a really rebreather friendly boat. We'll definitely be back although next time I'll avoid Friday the 13th!

Between my late arrival and Nic's early departure it made for an interesting Friday 13th! Thank you for being so accommodating picking me up late. Great boat, crew, food, company and oh yes……..the diving, that was pretty good too!

Excellent divin...

Saturday began with one of those bleary eyed pre-dawn taxi rides to the airport. Once checked in, and surviving the heart attack inducing questions of 'You do have a visa for Papua New Guanine?' (answer no!) And 'Your bag is 10 kg over weigh that gonna cost you….' (luckily Air Nuigini includes SCUBA kit as sports equipment), Rick and I set off in search of a hearty breakfast. Simon rocked up as I am half way though my beacon and eggs, so we are only missing Sloanie, Etsuko and Steve Pearson (...

The weather looked ok for the weekend so the trip was all ok to go. The Sevan apartments were excellent. Most of us squatted on the second floor whilst the Penthousers had ocean views, although level snobbery was put aside for the diving and Saturdays bbq.

The diving experience was a mixed bag. The dive sites provided the expected sharks, eels, rays and much more wonderful wild life. The Dive staff from the shop was what can be described as critical of the set up and dive styles of the gr...

First shocker of the hols, how much luggage can one girl need – Matina!

The flight from Sydney to Port Vila was like a party bus, Rob tried his luck ordering a beer and a bourbon and coke (well it was free) and was graciously served a very huge glass of bourbon, so it was game on for the rest of the party. Things were in full swing by the time we reached the destination, no one wanted to get off the plane! Air Vanuatu – highly recommended.

As soon as we reached the hotel in Port Vila...

Twelve of us made the trip. What follows is a brief synopsis of the twelve and their experiences in no particular order.

Steve & Etsuko - Steve organised the Thorfinn, the liveaboard in Chuuk that hosted us. Pulled the group together including two individuals not of our club but from the far reaches of the world. One of those individuals, Hoho has known Steve for ever in particular when Steve was a younger fitter person hence the nickname Hoho coined for Steve. Etsuko sleeping champ of ou...