19th February 2011 Poor Knights Island New Zealand Northern Arch and Crystal cave

This time there appeared to be a lot of divers on Dive Tutukakas main boat ‘El Tigra’ and I was placed on the smaller boat ‘Bright Arrow’ with a group of  experienced divers.

This was a very much relaxed affair and far more enjoyable than the previous dive at Poor Knights Island that can be seen by comparing my air consumption between the two days diving. equally I was able to take far more video this time around and equally my breathing is a lot quieter (nothing to do with the volume control set lower).

The underwater views of the Northern Arch are really beautiful with some of the divers just wishing to ‘hang’ in the water to take in the view. This time the approach to the Northern Arch was from the North side.

The second visit to the Crystal cave was also pretty good but I think that my dive buddies were know to keen on the internal gloom so we did not tarry there long. We did see a Ray afterwards which was very nice as well as a lot of the fish appeared to very friendly and happy to have a diver with a camera up close.

This time a very good days diving compared to the previous set of dives.

To view the video from the youtube website with some stunning underwater views click on the link:

 Poor Knights Islands

12th February 2011 diving off Poor Knights Island, New Zealand

Sadly I look forward to this dive for about a year before we go to New Zealand and it never works out well. This time it appeared to be worse as I struggle with high air consumption. I can hear it in the video of the first dive. I am not sure what causes it, maybe the jet lag, which at the time seems fine or maybe I am tired after the journey from Auckland to Tutukaka.

I dive with the dive company Dive Tutukaka and this time when out on the boat El Tigra. The first dive was at a place called Northern Arch although I did not have a very long dive 22 minute with max depth of 25 metres.

We have a pretty full on itinerary when we get to New Zealand and maybe this is the penalty. I was please to see that I had improved by the second dive and was able to really enjoy Crystal cave.

I have a feeling that the style of diving at the first dive being wall diving, for want of better word, does not suit me. I seem to like a bottom, and not keep worrying about keeping a controlled depth. Equally with my bad right leg I can only swim slowing so starting off with a surface swim is rather exhausting way to start a dive.

I also have a problem with the small 11 litre aluminium cylinders they use here. One small compared to my 15 litre. Two I find that aluminium cylinders are light at the end of a dive and have trouble controlling my assent. The dive people just cannot believe the amount of lead I need to sink. I guess that it because I bring my own wetsuit and it has twice the amount of thickness around my body. Then I guess I am getting use to the rest of the kit, BCD and DVs!!

A poor workman always blames his tools!

Anyway check out the video by the link below.

12th February 2011 diving off Poor Knights Island, New Zealand