![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gemfyreI discovered a cool and useful site called Wannadive. (My username is Gemfyre, as usual). Hopefully I can stick with it as I explore more sites and eventually graduate to Scuba. Going to repost my blogs there to here.
12/2/2012 - Hamersley and Mettams Pool
Headed out in the morning with Marie and Craig to Hamerlsey Pool for my first proper snorkel. I borrowed one of Marie's masks as mine always wants to fog up. Also learned that my fins are technically a bit too small, got mild pins and needles after removing them.
We swam out past the shallow reef into a deeper section where there were plenty of interesting dropaways, sandy patches and even the odd cave. An amazing amount of baby fish around at the moment, most notably Woodward's Pomfret. Also saw Red-lipped Morwong, Silver Drummer, some kind of tiny goby or blenny that disappeared before I got a chance to look it it closely. Marie and I also spotted a Gold-spotted Sweetlips, which according to the book isn't very common this far south. Upon returning to the swimming area we were visted by the resident Eagle Ray which Marie has dubbed "Pale Ale". This ray is quite used to people and comes quite near. I didn't realise the Eagle Rays were so large! And apparently Pale Ale is a small specimen. As we were leaving we could see 4 rays meandering about in a large sandy patch to the southern side of the rocky headland.
Marie had an appointment so had to return home, but Craig and I were still keen. We grabbed some sushi for lunch, dropped in at the Scarborough Dive Shop so Craig could buy himself a weight belt and some weights then decided to investigate Mettam's Pool - a much better known area not far to the south of Hamersley Pool. Craig offered to let me try out his fins, which are scuba style open-ankled fins. We seem to have the same foot size - his boots and fins fit me fine and he even managed to get my full-foot fins on.
Being later in the day it was starting to get choppy so Craig led me out through the breakers to a calmer area. THAT felt like a workout, I was a bit puffed out by the time we got to a nicer area of water, but quickly regained my breath as we swam about over the reef out here. More weed in this area but the fish were just as amazing. A large shoal of fish spent quite some time grazing beneath us and we were content to look on. Despite the hard work getting out, coming back in was no effort at all, I didn't even realise we were getting close to shore until I noticed that the sandy patch we were over was actually the beach.
Mettam's is a wheelchair accessible beach - with a concrete ramp leading all the way into the water. This ramp was great, it allowed us to remove all our gear while in the water, and place it on concrete instead of sand, so it stayed clean until we could bring our bags down and pack up. Still trying to master not getting sand EVERYWHERE on a regular beach, it eventually gets into everything at home - sand in the shower recess, sand through my washing because there is some stuck to my gear that didn't rinse off with the hose, sand in the carry bags, sand in the car...
Came home feeling very happy and relaxed and proceeded to nap for about 2 hours and dream of my next trip.
26/2/2012 - Cottesloe Groyne (eventually)
I spent the week pretty much constantly thinking about going out to the ocean again. I got out "Snorkeling and Scuba Diving for Dummies" and a fish field guide from the library. I almost bought a stinger suit, but instead opted for a cheap pair of black leggings - which don't look as silly as my white thermals. I also bought a hood - which will serve multiple purposes, keeping my hair out of my face, preventing scalp sunburn and keeping my noggin' warm and some fandangled scuba fins off Gumtree. I already had a pair of dive boots which I bought for birdwatching in muddy areas and the odd low-tide reef walk, so it was no great step to invest in a pair of open-heel fins, and considering the trouble I have getting full-foots on and off, I decided it was the way to go. I nabbed a pair of fins that would easily retail at over $100 for $40. Go me!
Marie and I went out to Hamersley on Thursday evening, but the weather was no good, the wind was up and not at all warm and the water was churned up and waves were breaking. We decided to birdwatch at Lake Gwelup instead.
Sunday was the planned day for a bigger outing. The forecast was for only 27 degrees, which had me worried. I don't like going into the ocean when it's below 30, but on the other hand, I wanted to get used to it to extend my chances to snorkel before the warm weather ended.
Marie bought me my own fish book and we immediately set about highlighting the species I had already seen. Fish are much harder to ID than birds, and harder to view in situ too - this snorkeling business will be a whole new challenge, the logisitics are completely different to birdwatching.
We went to Hamersley Pool first and were delighted to see Pale Ale was in. It was windy, we could see the sand churning and there were small breakers, but Craig - crazy New Zealander - was keen, we could just swim out past those breakers and all should be good. We were preparing to get in, but Marie looked at the waves again and shook her head and said she wasn't comfortable going out over such a shallow reef in those conditions. Honestly - neither was I - I hate breakers. We decided to head south and check out Mettam's and Bennion Beach and probably end up at Cottesloe, where it would be most protected.
Bennion looked a bit better - there was an area of slightly calmer water that didn't look too challenging to get to. So off we went. By the time we'd gotten down to the beach (man that path is steep) the waves had started breaking. Craig got right in and Marie followed, I got into about waist depth (thank God for the Lewin Current! The water was quite pleasant and no challenge at all to get into, on colder days the water is actually warmer than the ambient air temperature) and was looking dubiously at the breakers when Marie returned and said no, we weren't swimming here. She had been dumped about 3 times just trying to get out. I was relieved, again I wasn't keen on tackling breakers. Poor Cameron hadn't even gotten wet yet!
So, onward to Cottesloe, where we figured if everything else fell apart, we could at least just go for a swim. We were surprised to find a parking spot near the groyne and again delighted to find the conditions on the north side of the groyne were perfect (south of the groyne the sea was wild). In we went.
Wow! Because the waters are protected here it's very relaxing just pottering along beside the rocks. There was a HUGE shoal of Ogilby's Hardyhead, with the odd Stripey hiding among them. Towards the end of the groyne I practiced freediving a bit more. I am getting the knack of clearing my snorkel without running out of breath, next step is effectively equalising the pressure in my ears, then I'll work on diving technique and increasing my lung capicity. It certainly makes a big difference being able to get closer to those big fish that loaf around at the bottom. The chop out near the end of the groyne was higher and my snorkel kept getting flooded, so I headed back in again to take another look at the shallower rocks. Who would imagine that a manmade rocky pier, on such a busy beach would still be teeming with fish? I'm definitely going to have come back here again, preferably on a calmer day when I can explore the southern side and the natural reefs near there.
Marie was out before the rest of us as usual, being a tiny thing she gets cold easily. Craig and I have more insulating fat layers (I guess it is good for something!) We eventually decided to very slowly meander back into shore along the groyne. Right before I was about to leave the water I saw a blowie - the first for the day (I had just been thinking how it was weird that I hadn't seen one), and a tiny specimen only about 5cm long.
Apparently there is another groyne a bit further to the south as well. Will certainly have to investigate further. But it's good to know that I can swim easily even when the weather is cooler. I'm now spending my weeks looking forward to Sunday. Right now I can go out any day of the week, but alas, snorkeling is not something you want to be doing alone, and my friends are all working types and not available on weekdays.
Next weekend we're hiking down to Rockingham to check out Point Peron and Shoalwater Marine Park, should be awesome! Conditions are looking ideal.
12/2/2012 - Hamersley and Mettams Pool
Headed out in the morning with Marie and Craig to Hamerlsey Pool for my first proper snorkel. I borrowed one of Marie's masks as mine always wants to fog up. Also learned that my fins are technically a bit too small, got mild pins and needles after removing them.
We swam out past the shallow reef into a deeper section where there were plenty of interesting dropaways, sandy patches and even the odd cave. An amazing amount of baby fish around at the moment, most notably Woodward's Pomfret. Also saw Red-lipped Morwong, Silver Drummer, some kind of tiny goby or blenny that disappeared before I got a chance to look it it closely. Marie and I also spotted a Gold-spotted Sweetlips, which according to the book isn't very common this far south. Upon returning to the swimming area we were visted by the resident Eagle Ray which Marie has dubbed "Pale Ale". This ray is quite used to people and comes quite near. I didn't realise the Eagle Rays were so large! And apparently Pale Ale is a small specimen. As we were leaving we could see 4 rays meandering about in a large sandy patch to the southern side of the rocky headland.
Marie had an appointment so had to return home, but Craig and I were still keen. We grabbed some sushi for lunch, dropped in at the Scarborough Dive Shop so Craig could buy himself a weight belt and some weights then decided to investigate Mettam's Pool - a much better known area not far to the south of Hamersley Pool. Craig offered to let me try out his fins, which are scuba style open-ankled fins. We seem to have the same foot size - his boots and fins fit me fine and he even managed to get my full-foot fins on.
Being later in the day it was starting to get choppy so Craig led me out through the breakers to a calmer area. THAT felt like a workout, I was a bit puffed out by the time we got to a nicer area of water, but quickly regained my breath as we swam about over the reef out here. More weed in this area but the fish were just as amazing. A large shoal of fish spent quite some time grazing beneath us and we were content to look on. Despite the hard work getting out, coming back in was no effort at all, I didn't even realise we were getting close to shore until I noticed that the sandy patch we were over was actually the beach.
Mettam's is a wheelchair accessible beach - with a concrete ramp leading all the way into the water. This ramp was great, it allowed us to remove all our gear while in the water, and place it on concrete instead of sand, so it stayed clean until we could bring our bags down and pack up. Still trying to master not getting sand EVERYWHERE on a regular beach, it eventually gets into everything at home - sand in the shower recess, sand through my washing because there is some stuck to my gear that didn't rinse off with the hose, sand in the carry bags, sand in the car...
Came home feeling very happy and relaxed and proceeded to nap for about 2 hours and dream of my next trip.
26/2/2012 - Cottesloe Groyne (eventually)
I spent the week pretty much constantly thinking about going out to the ocean again. I got out "Snorkeling and Scuba Diving for Dummies" and a fish field guide from the library. I almost bought a stinger suit, but instead opted for a cheap pair of black leggings - which don't look as silly as my white thermals. I also bought a hood - which will serve multiple purposes, keeping my hair out of my face, preventing scalp sunburn and keeping my noggin' warm and some fandangled scuba fins off Gumtree. I already had a pair of dive boots which I bought for birdwatching in muddy areas and the odd low-tide reef walk, so it was no great step to invest in a pair of open-heel fins, and considering the trouble I have getting full-foots on and off, I decided it was the way to go. I nabbed a pair of fins that would easily retail at over $100 for $40. Go me!
Marie and I went out to Hamersley on Thursday evening, but the weather was no good, the wind was up and not at all warm and the water was churned up and waves were breaking. We decided to birdwatch at Lake Gwelup instead.
Sunday was the planned day for a bigger outing. The forecast was for only 27 degrees, which had me worried. I don't like going into the ocean when it's below 30, but on the other hand, I wanted to get used to it to extend my chances to snorkel before the warm weather ended.
Marie bought me my own fish book and we immediately set about highlighting the species I had already seen. Fish are much harder to ID than birds, and harder to view in situ too - this snorkeling business will be a whole new challenge, the logisitics are completely different to birdwatching.
We went to Hamersley Pool first and were delighted to see Pale Ale was in. It was windy, we could see the sand churning and there were small breakers, but Craig - crazy New Zealander - was keen, we could just swim out past those breakers and all should be good. We were preparing to get in, but Marie looked at the waves again and shook her head and said she wasn't comfortable going out over such a shallow reef in those conditions. Honestly - neither was I - I hate breakers. We decided to head south and check out Mettam's and Bennion Beach and probably end up at Cottesloe, where it would be most protected.
Bennion looked a bit better - there was an area of slightly calmer water that didn't look too challenging to get to. So off we went. By the time we'd gotten down to the beach (man that path is steep) the waves had started breaking. Craig got right in and Marie followed, I got into about waist depth (thank God for the Lewin Current! The water was quite pleasant and no challenge at all to get into, on colder days the water is actually warmer than the ambient air temperature) and was looking dubiously at the breakers when Marie returned and said no, we weren't swimming here. She had been dumped about 3 times just trying to get out. I was relieved, again I wasn't keen on tackling breakers. Poor Cameron hadn't even gotten wet yet!
So, onward to Cottesloe, where we figured if everything else fell apart, we could at least just go for a swim. We were surprised to find a parking spot near the groyne and again delighted to find the conditions on the north side of the groyne were perfect (south of the groyne the sea was wild). In we went.
Wow! Because the waters are protected here it's very relaxing just pottering along beside the rocks. There was a HUGE shoal of Ogilby's Hardyhead, with the odd Stripey hiding among them. Towards the end of the groyne I practiced freediving a bit more. I am getting the knack of clearing my snorkel without running out of breath, next step is effectively equalising the pressure in my ears, then I'll work on diving technique and increasing my lung capicity. It certainly makes a big difference being able to get closer to those big fish that loaf around at the bottom. The chop out near the end of the groyne was higher and my snorkel kept getting flooded, so I headed back in again to take another look at the shallower rocks. Who would imagine that a manmade rocky pier, on such a busy beach would still be teeming with fish? I'm definitely going to have come back here again, preferably on a calmer day when I can explore the southern side and the natural reefs near there.
Marie was out before the rest of us as usual, being a tiny thing she gets cold easily. Craig and I have more insulating fat layers (I guess it is good for something!) We eventually decided to very slowly meander back into shore along the groyne. Right before I was about to leave the water I saw a blowie - the first for the day (I had just been thinking how it was weird that I hadn't seen one), and a tiny specimen only about 5cm long.
Apparently there is another groyne a bit further to the south as well. Will certainly have to investigate further. But it's good to know that I can swim easily even when the weather is cooler. I'm now spending my weeks looking forward to Sunday. Right now I can go out any day of the week, but alas, snorkeling is not something you want to be doing alone, and my friends are all working types and not available on weekdays.
Next weekend we're hiking down to Rockingham to check out Point Peron and Shoalwater Marine Park, should be awesome! Conditions are looking ideal.
