Diving
Dives
I've dived with Jaap van der Must 2 times:
| Dive number | Date | Site | Location | Area | Country | Wreck | Freshwater | Depth (m) | Bottom time (min) | Total time (min) | Divers | Quality | Summary | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
557
|
28 Jan 2017 | North Rock | Broughton Island | Nelson Bay | Australia | 18 | 37 | 40 | Iain Hosking, Dani Coombes, John Smith, John Paterson, Tim Claessen, Jaap van der Must |  |
Dived with Let's Go Adventures out of Nelson Bay. Met up at 7am, departed at 8 and an hour's trip out to Broughton Island in postcard-perfect conditions. Large turnout - 20 paying customers plus three dive leaders and the skipper - but very well organised. I dived with 4 other experienced divers, led by Dani. Briefing covered keeping close to the edge of the gullies and travelling in single file so as not to spook the sharks, as well as signals, a turnaround at 100 bar and a 3-minute safety stop. The water was fairly clear, and on the bottom it wasn't long before I realised we had company in the shape of half a dozen or so large grey nurse sharks. We swam down the left of the gully while they patrolled up and down the centre, then we turned around and came down the other side. The GoPro videos pretty much do it justice, so I can't add much more in words. Dani was a good dive leader, chasing up and down like a sheepdog to keep her flock together, and ensuring that all signals were clear and acknowledged. Her dayglo-orange fins and yellow mask band made her easy to spot underwater. Back on the boat it was good to see everyone being signed back in and their depth and time recorded. A memorable dive, well up to expectations. | Fourth Element dry suit, Oceanic Chute 2, 12 litre tank. 29lbs | ||
| 558
|
28 Jan 2017 | Looking Glass | Broughton Island | Nelson Bay | Australia | 15 | 30 | 33 | Iain Hosking, Dani Coombes, John Smith, John Paterson, Tim Claessen, Jaap van der Must | |
Once all divers were up we headed clockwise round Broughton Island to a sheltered spot for a bite to eat (rolls & cheese, chicken noodle soup, biscuits and lollies). Then we were first group in for the second dive. This was through a series of spectacular underwater canyons, with fairly appreciable wave action (which would appear to be the normal state of affairs, judging by the floor of the canyons which consisted of sizeable rocks worn smooth). Technique was to let the surge wash you forwards, then hang of with fingertips or elbows to resist the backwash. At the farthest point, we rounded a corner to find ten or more grey nurse sharks silhouetted against the green water beyond. Dani said afterwards it was the most she'd seen at that point, so we felt very fortunate. All too soon it was time to turn around and return the way we came, surfacing via the anchor line (good navigation by our dive leader). The trip back went much more quickly than the outward journey with much to reflect on and talk about. I'd recommend Let's Go Adventures to anyone, and would certainly return to Nelson Bay myself. | Fourth Element dry suit, Oceanic Chute 2, 12 litre tank. 29lbs |