Nov 8 2010, 12:00 AM

Weather is Changing, So change your routine

Hello fellow passionate divers around the world. I wanted to talk about the weather on this blog. It is changing, Miami just had our first powerful cold front barrel thru this weekend. Temps plummeted, winds were howling, water is getting colder, and seas are angry. I was left high and dry all weekend and that was no fun. What to do when the weather turns. For me, I say it's time to change your diving routine. 

For me in Florida, if the conditions are messy we got some alternatives to fighting a boat on an angry sea. So I decide to shoot for situations where diving will still be pleasant. One, bridges!! Man, I think SSI should do a bridge diving specialty. Down in South Florida we have a gem called the Blue Heron Bridge, and all you have to do is time the tide. 5-7 foot seas are never a possibility as it is a protected waterway. Under this bridge is a macro-photographers heaven. Just watch our video Macro-Licious http://scubanation.com/bhb . The Keys also has some interesting bridge diving. We dove the seven mile bridge during the Inaugural REEF LionFish Derby. We spent time under the Ohio Channel and Tea Table Bridge. All and all, we saw lots of LionFish, massive schools of tarpon, goliath groupers, and bugs everywhere. It was exhilarating and we had a diver spot a hammerhead under the seven mile bridge too. If you live in the Orlando area, spring and river diving await. Rainbow River is a fantastic dive that is soothing, easy, and fun. Imaging drifting down a crystal clear river with a slight water flow that pushes you gently pass turtles and fish. Nice! One alternative dive I do when the weather turns is Lemon Shark diving. However, this one requires braving hostile seas during the months of February and March. 

I got a buddy up in Massachusetts who does an extreme change to his normal diving routine when the weather turns. Dennis, goes from lobster diving in the summer and fall months to ice diving during the winter months. Around December and January the big lakes in the New England area freeze over. Dennis and his gang of ice breaking scuba divers gear up in dry suits and head to the lakes for some ice diving. He likes to moon walk upside down on the layer of ice. Now that's changing it up! 

So, divers roll with the punches when the weather gets ugly. Instead get creative and change that routine. 

Billy C.