5 replies to this topic

[jeadiver]

Sunday afternoon at Lake Rawllings was great! The diving gods must have been with us because it was raining buckets North, East and South of the Lake, but we had a dry day and actually had the sun poke out a bit!! For those not in the know, Lake Rawlings is an awesome place to practice skills and just get in a little wet time: Water temps down to 30' were in the 70's F (81F on the surface) and visibility just kept getting better and better as the day went on and the newly certified open water students wrapped up thier activities. When we started visibility was about 15', on our last dive it approached 30'.

The fun started about Noon. Since Seawitch was staying at the luxurious Nottoway Motel, she was able to get there and get geared up and in the water early. She and I did a quick tour of the shallower (read warmer) sections of the lake viewing the bus, swimming through the bouyancy hoops, playing a bit of underwater basketball and winding up at the sailboat. During it all Zenkim was practicing her freediving (just how do you clear those ears freediving?) and providing surface support.

When we came up, other local divers had joined our little group and decided to begin the grilling. Except for that little fireball incident, eveything went well and no one was injured (yes Seawitch, you did smell gas!). Everyone started on the hotdogs, and Seawitch took charge of the chicken while the rest of us did another quick dive. All of the food was delicious, even the parts I had a hand in.

We did another great dive, a little deeper but we still stayed above the really cold water. I have been diving here for several years and I have to admit I have never seen so many of the Large-mouth Bass act so bold, and of course the Brim can be down right vicious when you swim over their nests. One of the local divers was attacked by one that wouldn't let go of her hair!! It was a riot for all of us (uhm, at least those of us who got to watch it) as this big mean diver is trying to defend herself against this harmless little fish. In the end, I think the fish won!

Thanks to Seawitch and Zenkim for joining us, thanks to all for making it a wonderful day of diving. Maybe next time we can get a few more folks, and the weather will be more cooperative.

[ddierolf]

Sounds like a great time, I am sorry I couldn't make it! I hope that I can attend the next trip there!!!

[mischievous]

sounds like a blast! thanks for the post, jeadiver. it's good to know all lake fish are insanely vicious.

[ZenKim]

Hi All,

Thanks JEADiver for organizing the trip. It was a great day. Not to hot, no actual rain, and yummy hot dogs. What more could you ask of a day at the quarry.

Rawlings is a great day trip for diving. There are nice underwater attractions: a bus, several boats, a basket ball hoop, various concrete lawn ornaments, and even an old dentist's chair! The fish were nesting and a bit testy if you got too close (as one of our group can verify). That was definately funny watching a little fish attacking the divers hair and shaking it like a dog with a toy. Quite a sight!

I was Glad to meet you SeaWitch! We will have to do it again sometime.

That's all for now.

ZenKim

[Brinybay]

Sunday afternoon at Lake Rawllings was great! The diving gods must have been with us because it was raining buckets North, East and South of the Lake, but we had a dry day and actually had the sun poke out a bit!!

What are those critters in your avatar, crawdads from Lake Rawlings?

[jeadiver]

Unfortunately, Lake Rawlings wildlife (toher than the fellow divers) consisit only of vicious fish, freshwater clams and a few very small crayfish. I had to drive all the way to NC to get those bad boys. At this rate, I'll soon have the price down to $75 per pound for fresh lobster!

Edited by jeadiver, 28 July 2004 - 06:25 AM.