146 replies to this topic

[ScubaPunk]

Payment Update:


1. Anthony aka NJBerserker: Received your payment for $415.00!

[WreckWench]

OK cool! I need to invest in some more lanyards

So you are saying that Bill's buddy has made some river picks and we can buy one in Charleston when we get there? That would be a cool souvenir too, to go with any fossils or other finds!

Yes and they are superior to any screwdriver cuz they give you WEIGHT which allows you to dig into the gravel bed more easily without effort on your part. This allows you to manage the current much better!

[WreckWench]

LAST MINUTE UPDATES:

1. We need the amount of lead that you are diving with. Lead is NOT carried on the boat so must be supplied. If you do not give us your lead amounts we will assume you are diving without and and you will NOT have any unless you bring it yourself. Several of you have not given us any amounts and we NEED THEM TODAY.

2. We still have about 3 spots so if you are looking at this trip...NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT! Given the poor response this year I will reconsider whether to do this trip next year or maybe only offer one boat which fills out very quickly.

3. If you have not paid your account in full please do so immediately.

4. I have just spoken with our buddy Rick aka "BottleHound" and for those who have done the Cooper before he finds EVERYTHING REALLY REALLY COOL! He will be joining us but does not have internet access so I will add him officially to the list!

5. We may need one person who is doing a S/O to consider doing a D/O or possibly one more person to consider a S/O. I will keep you apprised as we finalize the numbers.

[NJBerserker]

Rick's coming! Awesome! Man that dude covers ground in that river. It will be great to have GatorBait along on the trip again.

[WreckWench]

WEATHER UPDATE:

Spoke with OTWDiver and he said the following:

Yes there will be RAIN in South Carolina due to the hurricane coming up from Cuba and the Florida Coast. While we WON'T have hurricane conditions we will have RAIN.

So bring your rain gear and a boat coat/jacket if you want more than your wetsuit to keep you dry/warm.

Even though we expect rain...it won't impact our diving nor the teeth we find!

[bpro]

Have been watching NOAA closely for info related to Fay. At least a couple of dive days are...for what it's worth....looking dry!

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

Edited by bpro, 18 August 2008 - 03:10 PM.

[NJBerserker]

Thanks for the update WW. Looking forward to it.

[bpro]

Check out the current storm track. It is updated several times a day and changes all the time, but as it stands right now .... Fay is expected to make a hard left turn starting Thursday and head due west. Charleston is no longer in the 5-day cone of probability for the center of the storm/depression. The weekend prediction is still for dry weather, and the chance of rain Friday has fallen off a bit as well, to 40%. Keep your fingers crossed and hedge your bets with the ponchos just in case

Edited by bpro, 19 August 2008 - 06:35 AM.

[WreckWench]

Check out the current storm track. It is updated several times a day and changes all the time, but as it stands right now .... Fay is expected to make a hard left turn starting Thursday and head due west. Charleston is no longer in the 5-day cone of probability for the center of the storm/depression. The weekend prediction is still for dry weather, and the chance of rain Friday has fallen off a bit as well, to 40%. Keep your fingers crossed and hedge your bets with the ponchos just in case

Great advice and thanks for keeping tabs on it for us!

[NJBerserker]

I was actually hoping the storm would stay on track and speed up a couple days worth. Last year I was told that the best time to dive the Cooper is right after a big storm or hurricane as the increased current etc. uncovers lots of new beds and goodies. However I'm glad we should have it nice for all of those that don't like to dive in the rain. I would just like to assure everyone that the teeth have told me that they are already wet and will show up regardless of the weather. Hey WW, check your pm's much?

[WreckWench]

Last Minute Reminders:

1. Don't forget a screwdriver or plan to get a really nice balanced brass river pick in Charleston so you can work your way INTO the current. (That is the secret to finding the teeth!)

2. You will need a goodie bag. The preferred ones are the ones that have a metal opening and OTWDiver will bring extras that you can buy if your doesn't work or you prefer this style of bag.

3. Knee Pads...get yourself some padded knee pads that you can pull OVER your wetsuit to protect the knees of your suit. You will wear out your suit if you don't have them.

4. Regardless its still a good idea for a cheap poncho...(SD will have some you can buy if you like...a new item to our store) and bring a boat coat so if we don't have copious amounts of sun you can warm up between dives.

And yes the water will be about 86 degrees BUT your body is 98 so you will get chilled after 4 (1) hour dives a day!

[NJBerserker]

For knee pads the ones that you pull over your legs, not the ones with just the straps are best. Bill's advice and personal experience show that the ones with the straps will flip over or slide by some act of either your own or the current. You can get a decent set at Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. You can also use your wetsuit as a goodie bag in a pinch (another one of Bill's jewels of wisdom).

[bpro]

I have a pair of...I guess....volleyball knee pads. They were maybe $5 at Sports Authority. They do pull on over your legs. Are those what you're talking about, or more work-like ones?

[WreckWench]

I have a pair of...I guess....volleyball knee pads. They were maybe $5 at Sports Authority. They do pull on over your legs. Are those what you're talking about, or more work-like ones?

If they are soft padded and not hard plastic then they are what you want. The hard plastic style will protect your wet suit but you'll slide all over in them on the gravel/teeth.

[NJBerserker]

I probably will not have a cell phone for this trip. I will give you an estimated time of my arrival. I will try to err on the later side. If I'm more than about 4 hours overdue. . . avenge my death.