Dive Trip Report to :
Venice Beach for Shark’s Teeth (Sat 26-Apr)
Dive #1
, My Dive # 108
A. Dive Location:
Venice Beach at the end of Venice Ave, Venice Fl (South of Sarasota)
B. Conditions:.
CBS (Clear Blue Skies), 81 deg, slight wind
C. Dive Information:
Water 6” waves, Flat Seas, Max Depth 20’, Vis - on bottom 4” (4 inches), water
temp 73 deg - 3 mm full wet suite. This was a 1 hr 15 min drive from Satellite
Beach to Orlando to meet the Orlando Dive Group. Then 2 hours and 15 minutes
later we arrived at Venice Beach (at the end of Venice Ave). We met “Sharky”
in the parking lot, in a van with a sign stating he would buy all shark teeth:
Dive Trip Report to :
Ft. Pierce, Pepper Park (Sun, 26-Apr)
Dive #1
, My Dive # 109
A. Dive Location:
Ft. Pierce, Pepper Park
B. Conditions:.
CBS, Wind SE at 5, waves 3’ (mild - but not for a novice).
C. Dive Information:
This trip was sponsored by the Satellite Beach Space Coast Descenders. We
meet at Bunkies, 2nd Wed, 7:30 PM.
CBS, winds SE 5-10 kts, waves moderate, max depth 10’, vis 1’, temp 73. This
was a supprise, on Friday, the local life guards reported vis forever. Due to
an 8 am high tide, we arrived at Pepper Park at 7:30 (up at 5:30 etc). The
group represented members of the Space Coast Descenders, members from the Palm
Bay Down Under Dive Club and a local Explorer Group. We had a total of 10
divers show up for the dive.
Well, this trip was an introduction to beach entries for several people. A few
new beach divers had problems with the entry. This was a learning experience
for them and I'm sure that they will do better on the next beach dive. My
group made it out through the surf, and out about 100’. We then went to the
bottom, vis 1’ and swam IFR SE, past the 1st reef to the second reef. Our
introduction person, P.C., meet with a ray at the 1st reef. The ray gave her
one big electric shock. Being 6” from her, I also felt her jolt!! Well, we
continued to the 2nd reef. I knew we were at the 2nd reef, because I hit it
with my mask! Dave and team went to the 3rd reef and had 10'-12' of vis out on
the third reef until the water went dirty about 30 minutes into the dive. One
diver ran out of air!!! !! She had a run-a-way, sand in a reg and she is not
familiar with local conditions and procedures. This was her second surf
entry, ever! All they needed was someone experienced to tell them when to
flop on their backs and kick like hell.
It is important to dive this sight considering the tides. High tide was at
8:00 AM which means that by 9:30 AM the river water had ruined the vis. Next
time we dive this sight, it will be when high tide is closer to 11:00 AM so we
can get a good dive and not have to get up so early.
Ft. Pierce, Pepper Park is a great place to dive, this is the 1st time for poor
vis. When lobster season opens in Aug, we’ll be back. The price is cheap -
cost of an air refill and round trip 50 miles each way for gas.
Additions / Corrections by Emily & Dave 29-Apr-98
Last Updated: 10-July-2002