Westsylvania Divers

Dutch Springs

This first video represented our first dive. We swim from the submerged platforms at about 30 feet to a depth of a little over 60 feet. At the end of the rope is an old boat. The boat has been stripped out inside and allows us to penetrate with little effort. Inside the boat we share our dive with a large trout. He really did not like us being there but we enjoyed seeing him. On this dive  (63 feet, 52 degrees, and 30 foot of viz).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJc3vm6L8h0

This video represents our second dive. We just completed an 1.5 hour surface interval. We did a short surface swim to a bouy. Under the bouy was a trolley. Again the interior was stripped out of the trolley which allowed for easy penetration. this dive was about 60 feet, 52 degree water temp, and viz was less than 15 feet). You will notice a slight difference in the viz on this dive. We who dive in

Enjoy the dive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dr8hq-TPaM

A Perfect Sunday for Diving

We had a good time Sunday afternoon. Sunny skies, upper 70s, and light breeze. It was a perfect Sunday afternoon. It was a perfect day for scuba diving. This past weekend I spent time training Penn State Altoona campus students. It was their turn to complete their Open Water training. We had a total of 6 students show up for training. We also had an additional two students; Mike Mauk and Zack. READ MORE

Dutch Springs Dive Trip

What is it about scuba diving that makes the sport so much fun? Well, for me it is the chance to be with friends. Being underwater is enjoyable; being underwater with a friend is memorable. You both share an experience which becomes a grand story the more you share that story. I had such a day two weeks ago. READ MORE HERE

Jim's California Dive Trip

The following is a dive story posted by one of our dive club members Jim Valdesalice. Thanks for sharing your dive story Jim. Kory is getting me pictures.

We (Me,Leslie,Vince) went to Ca. on the first week of January 2007. I hooked up with my old dive buddy from the Navy. We did two days of boat diving with "VENTURA DIVE & SPORT" on their NEW dive boat, the "RAPTOR".  She's the newest and fastest dive boat in the area. Your tanks are on the boat when you get there, and unlike the old "Crew" boats I've dove on in the past, there was no nasty Diesel fumes to deal with, and they serve a pretty mean lunch too. The first day was a 3 tank trip, the second was 2 tanks. Both days we left

Ventura

Harbor

and went out to

Anacappa

Island

. The water temperature was 55 deg. and vis was 15' - 25' both days. The highlight had to be the dive at the underwater arch in the Kelp forest with the Harbor seals. And for the first time in my life I was the last one out of the water!!!  I figure it had to do with all the "LOCAL" divers thinking it was extremely cold and they sucked up their gas to fast.

I was in heaven!! 

Mount Storm Dive Trip

On January, 13, 2007 the Westsylvania divers made a trip to Mount Storm, West Virginia for a winter dip in the warm waters of the VEPCO Power Plant’s cooling lake. Like most dive sites in this part of the country Mount Storm lake is man made and was created in 1962. Nearly 234, 000 gallons  of lake water per minute are pumped to cool the system which burns more than 15,000 tons of coal per day. At that rate the lake water is cycled through every 2.5 days. READ MORE HERE

The Wreck of the Hilma Hooker

One of Bonaire’s more famous ship wrecks is the Hilma Hooker, a ship whose name may have led to her demise. The Hooker was having some mechanical failure off the coast of Bonaire. So she was brought to the main pier where she sat for repairs. She was an old ship and her hull had a lot of small leaks. It was during this time that suspicion grew about the sort of cargo she was carrying. So the authorities demanded to see the cargo and sure enough, the Hilma Hooker was going to be known as a drug runner. They found almost a ton of Marijuana in a false bulkhead. The authorities removed the drugs and began the process of an investigation. READ MORE HERE

Hello everyone. We have been posting a series of articles on Bonaire as there are a number of people preparing for a trip in June. If there is something else you would like to read about please let me know. Right now our story blogs are appearing at 

http://www.storytrax.com

Bonaire Rich In Heritage

Bonaire; Indians, slaves, pirates, and criminals create a diverse culture on this island. The first inhabitants were the Caquetios, Indians believed to be descended from the Arawaks who came over to Bonaire from Venezuela. The Caquetios would have come over in hollowed out logs they would have used for fishing, an easy 17 mile trip. On a side note it was believed that the Arawaks were the first to have met Christopher Columbus. READ MORE HERE

Bon Bini!

Bon Bini! It is how they say welcome in Bonaire. Bonaire is a small island located in the southern Caribbean. It is often the B in the ABCs of the Caribbean; Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Bonaire is quite unique in that it is considered a leader in the conservation of its natural environment namely its pioneering role in the conservation of its marine environment. It is because of this wise use of its natural resources that Bonaire is considered excellent scuba diving. Most magazines have heralded this small island as a well kept secret, unforgettable, and a divers paradise. READ MORE

Mount Storm Dive Trip

Hey got sometime this weekend? How about you go diving with the club? We are planning a dive trip to Mount Storm West Virginia. We did this trip last year. Read more about the 2006 dive trip to Mount Storm by visiting http://www.storytrax.com/node/340.

Trip Information

• Date for departure is January 13, 2006
• We leave promptly at 6:30am, All divers need to be at the shop by 6:00am, if you are renting equipment please pickup your gear by Friday close of business, or be at the shop by 6am to pick up your gear.
• Rental gear is limited, reserve your gear early. For more information please contact mike@mikesscuba.com or call 814-695-4666.
• We will be carpooling to the dive site and directions will be made available to divers the day of the trip. If you can drive please contact mike@mikesscuba.com or call 814-695-4666.
• The trip is free of charge, but you may choose to help your dive buddy with the cost of gas.
• Bring a lunch and drinks. There are no concession stands at the dive site so please remember to bring a cooler and stock it with your favorite drinks.
• This site can be VERY COLD. HENCE THE NAME MOUNT STORM. Read last year's story to learn more about the conditions experienced by those divers. Make sure you dress warmly.
• You will want to dive a drysuit if you have it or a 6 mill or higher wetsuit.
• Please RSVP your attendance no later than January 12, 2007 by contacting Mike @ mike@mikesscuba.com or call 814-695-4666.

The Copenhagen-Fort Lauderdale

Ever heard of the Copenhagen? No it is not something you find stuck in the teeth of hunters on a winter day in November, at least not that kind of Copenhagen. If you are planning to travel to Fort Lauderdale Florida anytime soon, like October 21-23, you might get a chance to dive the Copenhagen.

This ship originally was registered in Glasgow and built in England. It was primarily used for hauling cargo across the Atlantic. The Copenhagen was rigged for full sail  as a schooner and powered by three steam engines, when, on May 20 1900, She set sail from Philadelphia on her way to Havana. She was loaded with coal and six days later she crashed full speed on the reef just three miles east of Pompano Beach, north of Fort Lauderdale.

It was there the stranded ship was stuck, while the crew unloaded the cargo and then abandoned the ship. The Copenhagen rested there for forty years. During the second world war, the US Navy used her for target practice. Eventually the Copenhagen was sunk for fear that German U-boats might use the ship as cover for an approach to the coast of Florida.

Today much of the ship’s structure has been swallowed up by the reef and provides and ideal spot for abundant Marine life. The Copenhagen sits in 15-20 feet of water and is designated as a Florida Shipwreck preserve.

Fort Lauderdale is a great dive destination. Mike and Kory are trying to get a dive trip to Fort Lauderdale planned for October 20 th, 21 st, and 22nd.  They will be diving on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Friday will be a 2 tank dive in the afternoon, Saturday a 2 tank dive in the afternoon followed by a 2 tank night dive in the evening (Night Dives).  Sunday will be a 2 tank dive at noon.  They will be doing a total of 8 dives.

Each person going on the trip will be responsible for their own transportation to Fort Lauderdale and Back (Flying, Driving, etc.)   

The trip cost is $699.  A $100 non refundable deposit is required to hold your spot on the trip.  There are only ten (10) spaces available for this trip.  The trip will be sold on a first come first serve basis.  The remaining balance of the trip will be due on October 1st.

If you are interested in seeing more wrecks like the Copenhagen then contact Kory at 814-695-4666.