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.

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!

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

Weekend dive plans

No diving

Greetings to you from this altered reality. There’s nothing to report on the diving front, but I did want to draw your attention to an important biodiversity project that might help to lift the lockdown blues this weekend, after you bake a loaf of sourdough.

City Nature Challenge – Lockdown Edition

It’s the City Nature Challenge this weekend, from tomorrow until Monday (24-27 April). This year it’s a bit different than usual (like everything, unfortunately) – we’d love to be doing this on the beach or underwater. But it’s not to be. Spot plants, birds and animals in your garden, and log the sightings using the iNaturalist app.

You don’t have to know what you’re spotting; experts will assist with identification after the fact. Get outside, learn some more about your surroundings, and blow away those video conferencing cobwebs. There’s a facebook page here, with some fun challenges (Bioblitz bingo, anyone?) and a facebook event here.

Stay at home, stay safe, and we hope to see you again when this has passed.

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!

Weekend dive plans

No diving

This is a strange time to be alive, and we are all (hopefully) adjusting to being confined to our homes for the next 21 and perhaps more days. This is a challenge, as I don’t need to tell you. Thankfully there are ways to pass the time, whilst not forgetting about the ocean and scuba diving, and I thought I’d share a few of them with you.

Free online first aid courses from DAN

DAN Southern Africa has generously made their catalogue of online first aid courses free of charge for the next one month. Pick from the list below:

• Prepared Diver Program
• Basic Life Support: CPR and First Aid
• First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries
• NEURO Provider Course
• Emergency Oxygen for Scuba Diving Injuries

(Rocking back and forth on your couch contemplating existence and eating popcorn is also ok – don’t feel obliged to try to transform yourself into an intellectual and physical hulk during lockdown.)

Marine Life Identification with Georgina Jones

The City iNaturalist Challenge is rolling around again at the end of April. Georgina’s planned fish ID workshops probably aren’t going to happen in the originally planned face to face format, so she’s preparing daily online posts with information (and photos) on common marine life around Cape Town. You can find these in the Underwater Cape Town facebook group, which you should join if you’re not already a member. Georgina knows what she’s talking about.

The Sea-Change book

We reviewed the incredible Sea Change book a while ago. During the lockdown period, the Sea Change team is making the e-book available free of charge to South Africans. All you need to do is send an email to get a special download code for the Sea Change website. Details here (facebook – may be slow to load thanks to a broken undersea cable).

This is a beautiful offer; you’ll be able to explore the kelp forests from the comfort of your couch, as long as this goes on.

For the kids

Audible is allowing free streaming of a large catalogue of kids’, teens’ and classic books read by awesome narrators: check out stories.audible.com.

Local illustrator Patrick Latimer has created Halfsies, a free print-it-yourself pdf of pictures for kids (or you) to complete, and then colour. Find it here.

Virus information

Much less wonderfully, we’re sure you already know about several of these, but here’s a list of reputable sources for coronavirus updates:

• The SA Government’s coronavirus website
• The Financial Times has free coronavirus coverage, including this incredible graphical global tracker
• Africa Check and Snopes, for myth busting

Finally, to all of you and your families, please do your utmost to stay well, stay at home, and see you on the other side. To the healthcare workers – we cannot thank you enough.

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!

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.

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!

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

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. 

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!

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

Weekend dive plans

No diving

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

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!

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.

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!

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

Weekend dive plans

No diving

I’ve got students in the pool on Saturday, and Sunday looks too windy for dives, so we’ll have to wait to get in some salt water until conditions improve.

Turtle time

It’s the start of that time of year when turtles strand on the beaches of the Western Cape. What to do if you find one? Don’t throw it back into the sea. The Two Oceans Aquarium explains how you should proceed. Read more here.

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!

Weekend dive plans

Sunday: Shore dives from Long Beach in Simons Town

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!

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

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. 

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!

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

Weekend dive plans

No diving

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!

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

Weekend dive plans

No dives planned

Hope you’re all settling into 2020 and feeling strong.

The good diving weather window this weekend is short: Saturday morning, and Long Beach is probably the best bang for your buck. I’m booked up on Saturday, but if you must dive, that’s your best option.

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!

Weekend dive plans

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

Happy new year to all of you!

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!

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

Weekend dive plans

No dives planned

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.

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!

Weekend dive plans

Sunday and/or Monday: Shore dives in False Bay

We had a good day’s diving on Wednesday with windless conditions and good visibility. The weekend has some wind in the forecast, at times a little too strong and at times a lot less.

I think it best to do shore dives this weekend on either Sunday or Monday, or both. Sites decided on the day depending on when/if the forecast winds are as they say.

All about False Bay

This weekend (Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December) features an exhibition of photos and paintings, and two morning talks, one by False Bay’s pre-eminent shark scientist, and another by the lead author of a recent multi-disciplinary study of the bay. All the information you need is here.

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!

Weekend dive plans

No diving

It has been a windy week and neither False Bay or Hout Bay look particularly appealing. There is a chance the Atlantic will clean up a little more, but the wind forecast for Saturday and Sunday is a little more than our boat enjoys. We have no diving planned.

Diarise

The year is winding down, but there are still good things happening for ocean lovers. Next weekend (14-15 December) features an exhibition of photos and paintings, and two morning talks, one by False Bay’s pre-eminent shark scientist, and another by the lead author of a recent multi-disciplinary study of the bay. All the information you need is here.

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!

Weekend dive plans

No diving

Saturday looks like an excellent diving day, with light westerlies that will flatten and clean our side of False Bay. I’m booked for the day, but if you get in the water, enjoy it and be safe.

Summer water safety with the NSRI

The NSRI have released an excellent compendium of holiday water safety tips that I recommend you check out, and share with your family and friends – especially those who don’t spend as much time around the ocean as you do. Read it here.

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!

Weekend dive plans

Sunday: 8.30 am False Bay dives from Simons Town jetty

The weather over False Bay has changed for the better today. The seemingly endless south easter is taking a break and some wind from the west or northwest will pretty up False Bay over the next day or two.

By Sunday I am sure the conditions will be great. Meet on the Simons Town jetty at 8.15 am to load up and leave by 8.30 am. Site choice will be made on the move. I am keen to do a double tanker but am open to suggestions.

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!

Weekend dive plans

No diving

The forecast for 30-40 km/h winds persists into the weekend. It’s very likely that the Atlantic will be clean – it looks clean already – but the amount of wind is just too much. Sorry (for you and me)!

Keeping sane in the wind

You could go to some of the Wavescape Festival events, attend a beach clean up (the Beach Co-Op is hosting an awesome-looking one at Strandfontein on Saturday), or visit one of our wonderful tidal pools for a low-stakes swim or a snorkel.

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!

Weekend dive plans

Sunday: Boat dives from Hout Bay

All things point to the Atlantic being the better option for diving this weekend, with Sunday being the better day for it. It is currently warm and green there right now, but the next two days of fairly strong south easterly wind should improve the visibility dramatically.

I will make the call to dive on Saturday but will most likely dive Tafelberg Reef and Vulcan Rock.

If you’re a resident of anywhere from Big Bay to the CBD, note these road closures for the Cape Town Challenge triathlon event on Sunday.

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!