Riwaka caves / Pupu Springs
SUNDAY JANUARY 25TH
A good crew turned up at the Ocean Lodge and after picking up a couple of others on the way we drove over for our sojourn into the Riwaka Caves. After a false start John swam through with the reference line to the first cave and returned to pick up the remaining divers. A pleasant swim through (although a few admitted to a few nervous moments) and we were into the first cave to admire the limestone formations before walking the 15 odd metres to the next swim entry point. The second swim was a bit longer and surprisingly an eel was encountered on the way. We emerged into the second cave and removed our dive gear to explore the cave, admire the limestone “cathedral” and other formations. We spent a good ¾ hour exploring this area, climbing to the high points, wading in the underground stream (marvelling at the obvious power of the water during floods) and of course turning out all torches to experience the total and I mean TOTAL BLACKOUT!! No light whatsoever and therefore no sight at all.
We eventually got to the furtherest reaches of the cave to be very disappointed to find that vandals from previous dive trips, many of the names recognisable from now non-existent dive outlets, had scratched their names on the walls of the cave. Just goes to show there are some real pillocks out there, and many of then highly qualified divers – great leadership eh!
We returned to swim through to the first cave, although one nameless diver got tangled in the permanent reference line on the way back. Swimming back through to the entrance the rope kindly supplied by Big Blue got horribly tangled, as Mark said it would, so I swam back mostly on the surface trying to retrieve it as neatly as I could. I was amazed at some of the limestone formations in this first area of the cave that normally divers would not sea swimming back. It is well worthwhile swimming one part of that leg on the surface to see them. Of course the exit through the cave entrance to daylight is always an inspiring sight and everyone remarked on a great experience.
After drying off and a snack for lunch we headed over the hill to Golden Bay and the Pupu Springs. All enjoyed the splash around and the clarity and coldness of the water and we entertained Japanese, German, Dutch, Canadian, American, Swedish and British tourists. Ricks children, Stephen & Shaune had their first dive in the springs as well and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. An abundance of fresh water lobsters as well as eels were observed but no fish although plenty (of good size) were spied by those who bulldozed (oops I mean drift-dived) down the river to the first bridge. I stayed out of the water and ferried the “drifters” back to the carpark to get changed. Then it was off to Rabbit Island to meet up with other club members for a beer, BBQ and relaxation in the sun. A great day out and welcome to Bryan Smith, Alan McMillan and Hadrian Ward on their first club dive. May we see you on many more?
Cheers and Tables – John H
