Dive Trip Report to:
Florida's Beaches!
Purpose:
To
Beach Dive Florida
for old wrecks, cannon, ships, bugs etc!
Date / Dive #:
July 15, 2001,
Sunday, Morning Dive. My Dive #
A. Dive Beach Location:
Beach Dive - Round Island Oceanfront Park, Ft. Pierce (new park this year)
B. Conditions:
Visibility:
Unknown
Seas:
well here's the story! When we arrived at the park, the ocean was about 6
inches to 1 foot breakers. It kind of worried me as we had some new non-beach
divers with us. By the time we were all together, geared up and headed for the
ocean, the breakers were 2 - 3 ft! See the group picture from the main 2001
page.
Water Temp:
Unknown exactly, but it was cool - ya do need a full wet suit.
Skies:
Typical Florida Sunny Clear Blue Skies - overhead! On the way to Ft. Pierce,
the weather was:
Iffee in Melbourne
Raining buckets in Sebastian and Vero.
In Ft. Pierce at the park was sunny with clear blue skies - but you could see
the real dark clouds to the north!
Air Temp:
80's
C. Dive Information:
Depth & Time:
Me: Genesis Nitrox Dive Computer - None - we didn't dive!
Air consumption:
Me: Yea, I used a hundred pounds getting past the surf and Laura used a thosand
in the pool afterwards.
Current:
Zilch
Description:
Well this was to be a beach dive at a new location with some new divers. As
mentioned above, the weather looked OK - at first. When we first arrived at
8:00 am the waves were 6 inches to one foot. This was a little rougher than
I'd like with beginners, but we could do it. After the group arrived, were
briefed on the dive and suited up. On walking down to
the beach, I noticed the waves were big - toooo big for a beach dive with
beginners. They were 2 to 3 feet and they were breaking quite a ways out.
But, by unanimous vote, we decided to see if we could make it out
past the surf line. All were briefed on the need to keep your reg in your
mouth. We entered the water. I was pulling the inflatable yacht, and the
other divers were following. At waist deep water, the waves were pushing 2
feet. They'd really smash down on us. The snorkeler's were entering the
boat, I was keeping it's bow pointed into the waves. Some of the others also
were realizing the waves were too big to try to get past. Victor was the first
to
call out that maybe we should cancel. I backed up his thoughts. So, we
canceled. Several divers wanted to try, but gave up on looking at the waves.
We did manage to get a group picture with the waves in the background.
One
new beach dive in particular had decided to enter the water with his fins on
walking backwards. Well, the book say's you can do it this way. I don't like
to do it this way. Well, the waves knocked him down and it took two other
divers to help him to his feet. He was knocked down again. This time, the
waves would not allow the others to lift him up. Laura removed his fins and we
were able to get this diver to his feet. This was a hard learned lesson on
the power of the waves. I've had it happen to me - one foot waves can knock a
diver down and he can't get up. You can drown in a foot of water right in
front of the life guards!
The dive gear and boat were put away and we decided to tour the Navy SEAL
museum a mile to the south. Unfortunately, upon arriving at the museum at
10:30 am, the sign showed it opening at noon. We decided not to wait. I put
out an offer to all to join us in my condo pool. This would give the
snorkeler's a chance to try the dive gear. It also washed out the salt and
beach sand.
Last Updated: 10-July-2002