Category: Diving

Newsletter: Sitting tight

Hi divers

Weekend dive plans

No diving yet

It’s been a few months, hey! I hope you are all well, and getting outdoors and that you’ve been making the most of what we’re permitted to do at each point in the (confusing!) lockdown regulations. We’ve made the most of the break from normal life, and among other things we’ve used the downtime to spruce up our formerly tired boat trailer.

Seahorse reclining in the driveway awaiting the return of her improved trailer
Seahorse reclining in the driveway awaiting the return of her improved trailer

The good news (and the reason I’m in your inbox) is that dive boat operators have been given the go ahead to resume charters, at 50% capacity with all the standard Covid-19 distancing and masking precautions, as from today. The bad news is that we don’t think it’s safe for us to open for business just yet, so we won’t be launching in the immediate future. I’ll keep you posted as things develop.

In the last few weeks, shore divers have been taking advantage of beautiful False Bay winter conditions. I encourage you to get outside and get wet – it’s one of the safest places you can be, provided you follow some simple precautions.

regards

Tony Lindeque
076 817 1099
www.learntodivetoday.co.za
www.learntodivetoday.co.za/blog/

Diving is addictive!

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Newsletter: Distancing

Hi divers

Weekend dive plans

No diving

It is a tough situation we find ourselves in, and it has been hard to watch other countries go through a meltdown that I hope we can avoid here in South Africa.

Diving is safe providing you know who you are diving with, use all your own equipment and give your dive buddies a wide berth. In diver training this is not an option, and practicing social distancing on a dive boat is equally difficult.

Sadly in the interest of safety, for both you and I, we will take a break from diving for a short time. We will continue the newsletter weekly and return to training, diving and boat launches as soon as it is safe.

DAN Europe and DAN Southern Africa have issued statements about dive gear and dive travel – worth a read.

Baden Powell drive from the air
Baden Powell drive from the air

During these unusual times, remember that the outdoors, enjoyed at a safe distance from anyone you don’t share a home with, can provide both enjoyment and some mental health rejuvenation. Snorkeling in a tidal pool, or a walk on the beach, can help with that cabin fever. 

regards

Tony Lindeque
076 817 1099
www.learntodivetoday.co.za
www.learntodivetoday.co.za/blog/

Diving is addictive!

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Newsletter: Landfall

Hi divers

Weekend dive plans

Saturday: Shore dives at Long Beach

I again have students in the pool on Friday, and we will shore dive on Saturday. No boat dives planned. Sunday sadly looks a little on the windy side. 

Sunset over Langebaan lagoon
Sunset over Langebaan lagoon

Yoshi the turtle has made landfall in Australia. She was probably hoping to watch the Formula One. Read all about her incredible journey here. What a girl!

Do you live in a city? Worried about keeping yourself and those you care about healthy? Here’s a helpful article. Look after yourselves and stay safe!

regards

Tony Lindeque
076 817 1099
www.learntodivetoday.co.za
www.learntodivetoday.co.za/blog/

Diving is addictive!

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Newsletter: Pancake time

Hi divers

Weekend dive plans

No diving

The bay is going to be clean, warmish and as flat as a pancake on Friday and Saturday.

 

Baden Powell drive from the air
Baden Powell drive from the air

Sunday is a stay home day as the Cape Town Cycle Tour hits the coastline and road closures will be enforced all around the peninsula.

I have other commitments this weekend that don’t involve water, but if you get the chance, you should try to get wet.

regards

Tony Lindeque
076 817 1099
www.learntodivetoday.co.za
www.learntodivetoday.co.za/blog/

Diving is addictive!

To subscribe to receive this newsletter by email, use the form on this page!

Newsletter: All shook up

Hi divers

Weekend dive plans

No diving

We have south easterly winds of between 30 and 60 km/h spread out over the next few days, and as a result I am not planning any dives for this weekend.

SAS Somerset at the V&A Waterfront
SAS Somerset at the V&A Waterfront

Diver24

Join UCT Underwater Club and the Two Oceans Aquarium for their annual Diver24 event. This year you can enjoy diving-related talks, snacks, and the vibe of the aquarium at night. More info here (facebook).

On your way, you can check out SAS Somerset, pictured above, as she lists slightly in her berth behind the aquarium. She’s the sister ship of SAS Fleur, a deep dive not too far from Seal Island in False Bay.

regards

Tony Lindeque
076 817 1099
www.learntodivetoday.co.za
www.learntodivetoday.co.za/blog/

Diving is addictive!

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Newsletter: Washed up

Hi divers

Weekend dive plans

Sunday: Shore dives from Long Beach in Simons Town

The Kakapo on Long Beach, Kommetjie
The Kakapo on Long Beach, Kommetjie

Thanks to the south easter, the Atlantic is getting cleaner. Hout Bay is still a little grubby, but there are two days of strong south easterly wind to fix it before Sunday. The temperature is already down to 12 degrees.

Sunday will most likely be the best bet for dives, out of Hout Bay or Granger Bay.  The swell, however, is bigger that my boat likes, so we will shore dive in Simons Town on Sunday instead. Let me know if you’re keen.

regards

Tony Lindeque
076 817 1099
www.learntodivetoday.co.za
www.learntodivetoday.co.za/blog/

Diving is addictive!

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Newsletter: Wakey wakey

Hi divers

Weekend dive plans

Saturday: Shore dives at Long Beach at 7.30 am

I’m shore diving students on Saturday morning at Long Beach, starting crisply with the dawn (ok, close enough). There’s a good gap in the wind, but to take advantage we need to be up with the birds. 

Olifantsbos at Cape Point
Olifantsbos at Cape Point

Beach clean and Trash Bash

Two for your diaries:

  • The Beach Co-Op’s first new moon clean at Surfers Corner is this Saturday at 9.00am – details here
  • The Two Oceans Aquarium’s first Trash Bash of the year is at Rondevlei Nature Reserve the following Saturday, 1 February – details here. Maybe we’ll see a hippo…

regards

Tony Lindeque
076 817 1099
www.learntodivetoday.co.za
www.learntodivetoday.co.za/blog/

Diving is addictive!

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Newsletter: Force 12

Hi divers

Weekend dive plans

No diving

Long Beach, Kommetjie
Long Beach, Kommetjie

Ok, so it’s not quite a hurricane, but the weather man has dipped heavily into the pink and purple hues in his box of crayons for this week and weekend’s forecasts. Things calm down on Tuesday, but in the mean time, hold onto your hats.

It’s far too rough for diving, unfortunately, so we’ll sit this weekend out. If you’re free for weekday dives, let me know, because I’ll be going out next week.

regards

Tony Lindeque
076 817 1099
www.learntodivetoday.co.za
www.learntodivetoday.co.za/blog/

Diving is addictive!

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Newsletter: First of the year

Hi divers

Weekend dive plans

Sunday: Boat dives in False Bay (leaving from Simons Town) at 9.00 am

Happy new year to all of you!

Sand transport corridor at Platboom near Cape Point

I think Sunday will be best in False Bay. There has been a lot of south easterly wind the last week or two, but it turns tomorrow evening and with some luck it will improve enough for a Sunday launch.

We will dive at 9.00 am, leaving from Simons Town jetty, and will do a double tanker to sites that look good on the day – maximum depth 18 metres. Let me know if you would like to be on board.

regards

Tony Lindeque
076 817 1099
www.learntodivetoday.co.za
www.learntodivetoday.co.za/blog/

Diving is addictive!

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Newsletter: A touch of winter

Hi divers

Weekend dive plans

No dives planned

Wallpaper at the Two Oceans Aquarium

Student dives over the last week have been reasonably good, with 5-6 metre visibility inshore. The visibility remains good, and in fact has improved with the unseasonal north westerly wind. The downside is a 5 metre, 16 second period swell. We won’t plan dives in this as the surge is often  harsh.

Keep an eye out for weekday dives during the next week or two – we’ll publicise in this newsletter, on facebook, and via whatsapp. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and safe holiday season. 

regards

Tony Lindeque
076 817 1099
www.learntodivetoday.co.za
www.learntodivetoday.co.za/blog/

Diving is addictive!

To subscribe to receive this newsletter by email, use the form on this page!