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Cooper River Aug 2007 Finds and Tales!


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14 replies to this topic

#1 Knitrofix

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Posted 09 August 2007 - 06:06 PM

Hi all !!! :hiya:

Hopefully everyone had a safe trip home. I had a great time on this trip and enjoyed meeting & diving with everyone. Vic (aka DiverVic ) will be sending me all the pictures he took. As soon as I get them, I'll begin posting them to page that was started before the trip. I think there's some with the bottle that Bruce found.

On the 4th day, I was lucky enough to find an arrow head, which definitely made my day ( I post a picture of it) ;)

I heard about some of the excitement that Keith had with a gator on the 4th day. Glad it wasn't me.

When you have a chance, post a reply with what you found and any stories you'd like to share. All I know is that everytime our boat got near the boat Liz & Jeff were on, all I heard was a bunch of laughter!! :D

Pete

To see all the fun...click here!

#2 WreckWench

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Posted 09 August 2007 - 07:44 PM

Cool Pete aka Knitrofix aka 'Keith'!!! ;) (Inside joke!)

Here is where you'll see all the fun pictures people have taken.... To see all the fun...click here!

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
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#3 NJBerserker

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Posted 10 August 2007 - 06:05 PM

I also had an amazing time in SC. Already looking forward to next year. I will be upgrading my membership shortly so I can post the pictures I have, including one of Bruce with the bottle. Please send me any pictures you have so as I can make a cool compilation video of them all. There were some hilarious moments like when I came up with my weight belt practically around my ankles (I think Greg has a picture of that) and when Dan Bonner jumped in the river without his fins. There were also a couple of lessons learned, but I'll let those people post them in the appropriate forum. Excellent trip all around.

PS- Gator? What gator? There are no gators in SC. (SHHHHHhhhh!)
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#4 Knitrofix

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Posted 11 August 2007 - 04:30 PM

Hey NJB,
Send me your email and I'll send out all the pictures that Vic took. If you could send me all your pictures that would be great.
Weight belt at the ankles is funny, but I think the swim trunks at the knees is right up there as well (at the hotel). :lmao:

I also had an amazing time in SC. Already looking forward to next year. I will be upgrading my membership shortly so I can post the pictures I have, including one of Bruce with the bottle. Please send me any pictures you have so as I can make a cool compilation video of them all. There were some hilarious moments like when I came up with my weight belt practically around my ankles (I think Greg has a picture of that) and when Dan Bonner jumped in the river without his fins. There were also a couple of lessons learned, but I'll let those people post them in the appropriate forum. Excellent trip all around.

PS- Gator? What gator? There are no gators in SC. (SHHHHHhhhh!)



#5 Knitrofix

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Posted 11 August 2007 - 04:39 PM

I don't know about anyone else, but for me whenever I came upon a log on the bottom I would always double check to make sure it wasn't a gator. :o

One of my favorite spots was 'Mud Balls'. I remember being briefed that some of the balls were as big as cars. So here I am descending and wouldn't you know it, the current sweeps me right into one of them about 4 feet from the bottom. I bounced off of it and then landed on the bottom. Once down, I started the hunt. After about 20 minutes, out of the dark I feel a tug on my fins ( that gave me a little start) :lmao: and who is it, none other than Liz. :D All in all it was a great dive !!!!

#6 annasea

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Posted 11 August 2007 - 05:09 PM

I'm curious about this Cooper River as I heard stories about it during my recent trip to FL...

Apparently, the viz is nil and divers use screwdrivers dug into the mud to drag themselves along the bottom. Gators were definitely mentioned as well. Tall tales or truth? :lmao:










#7 WreckWench

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Posted 11 August 2007 - 05:12 PM

This trip was a blast...and while I did not find as many trophy finds as I did last year...I did find some great teeth....including prehistoric sand tigers, camel, horse, bison and more!

None of my bottle were old...but they looked pretty cool! And my biggest tooth was only about 4 inches. I did find one that was very BLONDE in incredible condition and it was awesome!

We had 2 boats this year and while we usually dove different sites...we did hook up for lunch each day. Our captains were OTWDiver and NCDiver43. Our crew was myself and Dan...will need to get him a screen name...any ideas for a good one??? :o

The boats rocked with laughter which was great...the water was calm and warm (about 82-84 degrees) and most of the time the current was not to stiff...except for one dive where the power company opened up the flood gates and it was SCREAMING!!!

But all the divers simply ascended and we put them onto another site!

Diving the Cooper is really very cool. It is a night dive in the middle of the day and the possibility of finding a rare treasure is so compelling that as Anthony aka NJBerserker said...the Addiction Overcomes the Fear! I spoke with OTWDiver and with Anthony's permission that will be the next Cooper River T-shirt! :o

Now to find an artsy person to help finalize the artwork!

But back to the trip...the normal captains take 4-6 divers so to have this rowdy crew of 12 was pretty amazing to most of the local diving community! I know it sure was to Johny who we rented our tanks from. We rented every tank he owned and kept him up til midnight doing fills! :lmao:

But he was so thrilled that he asked me for a stickter to put on his boat...and there were NO stickers on that boat so we felt very special. When I asked him why he said I gave him more business in 4 days then he normally gets in 2 weekends from all his clients combined. WOW! Pretty :D

Well I'm about ready to post next year's trip so hopefully we can do it 3 years in a row!!! :lmao:

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
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SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
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710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#8 pir8

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Posted 11 August 2007 - 05:45 PM

:o

Well I'm about ready to post next year's trip so hopefully we can do it 3 years in a row!!! :lmao:

I hear tell you have an in with one of the Captains :D
Never say Never! Its almost as long a time as always!

#9 WreckWench

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Posted 11 August 2007 - 06:26 PM

:o


Well I'm about ready to post next year's trip so hopefully we can do it 3 years in a row!!! :lmao:

I hear tell you have an in with one of the Captains :D



:lmao:

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
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Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
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710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#10 NJBerserker

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Posted 11 August 2007 - 06:29 PM

You absolutely have permission, however it is "overpowers" not "overcomes". It truly was great. As for annasea, it is interesting diving to say the least. However it is well, well worth it. You do use a screwdriver to dig in in the current. No worries about gators, but having a catfish pop out from under a log can startle you a bit. The only thing I would say is that you have to be completely comfy either by yourself or tethered to someone as you can't stay together under the conditions. It is preferable to go it solo as being tethered can slow you down and/or cause entanglement issues. For instance Kamala wanted to celebrate my 20th with me as my buddy and our tether got tangled around my arm and LP inflator hose so that I couldn't extend my arm. I got my arm free but it sure was annoying.
Proud Member of the Cooper River "A-Team"

#11 WreckWench

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Posted 11 August 2007 - 06:30 PM

I'm curious about this Cooper River as I heard stories about it during my recent trip to FL...

Apparently, the viz is nil and divers use screwdrivers dug into the mud to drag themselves along the bottom. Gators were definitely mentioned as well. Tall tales or truth? :lmao:



Hey Annasea...what vis do you have on a night dive without a flashlight? Basically that is what you have in the Cooper unless you stay in the shallow sandy area but the teeth are in the deeper areas. So you use a light and you have the same vis as you do on a night dive.

You use a pick or screwdiver to help to pull yourself into the current which washes the silt away so you can see the teeth.

There are some alligators in the marsh areas along the banks. They do not like flowing water so if you are in the current then they will never get near you. If you get out of the current near the bank then you need to keep an eye out for them. But they are like sharks. They don't eat humans and they don't tangle with us either.

This is not diving for everyone...but wow is it cool for those wanting something different or for those who like to find artifacts and treasures! :o

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#12 Knitrofix

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Posted 12 August 2007 - 01:33 PM

Hey Annasea, Like WW and NJB mentioned it's just like a night dive. Having a pick / screwdriver is essential. The only day where the current was really strong was when the power company decided to make some electricity. Who needs electricity? :birthday: I've done plenty of night dives, none in current, but after you get one under your belt you'll be fine. OTW and the Wench were great in showing us newbies what to look for.

On the first dives, they would descend with small groups of us, on the anchor line. We'd meet on the bottom and when they found a tooth they'd show us so our eyes would get accustomed to what to look for. After that we were off and hunting. :birthday:

#13 Knitrofix

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Posted 12 August 2007 - 01:49 PM

For anyone thinking of doing this trip, one skill you really want to perfect is putting the right amount of air in your 'safety sausage'. Look at the photos posted on the 'Reports' page for this trip. You don't want to surface and have a 'wimpy' sausage. On our boat, you'd never hear the end of it, if your sausage looked like the yellow one. :birthday:

Edited by Knitrofix, 12 August 2007 - 01:51 PM.


#14 Scubawishes

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Posted 12 August 2007 - 10:16 PM

This trip is so interesting. Please share more photos of findings!

~K
~K

#15 WreckWench

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Posted 13 August 2007 - 04:34 AM

Here is a link to the gallery if you'd like to see for yourself! :o

:wakawaka: Knitrofix for posting so many great shots!

Posted Image

Posted Image

Either way is fine as long as you are SEEN!! :lmao:

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906




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