PORT GORE
24th March 2007
This was to be our first dive in New Zealand waters, having done our PADI course in the Darhab, Egypt at the end of 2005 followed by some diving at Zanzibar Island of the coast of Tanzania. We were up early and congregated at North Rd at 7.30 am to hitch a ride to Duncan Bay with Grant and Nigel. With some relief we realised that we had some very experienced divers to take us out. On the club boat was Brian, Mark, Ange, Bevan and Mary. We were on Pete's boat with Anna, Nigel and Grant.
We went out as far as Port Gore and found a calm spot for our first dive. It soon became apparent that the diving in New Zealand was a different ball game to tropical parts of Africa, when Pete put his thermals on under his wetsuit. Rich went in first with Nigel and Grant and I went with Pete after they had surfaced. It was great to get in the water again, even though I was a bit rusty on it. There was quite good visibility and lots of seaweed, rocks, blue cod and other blue/grey fish (Moki??) I witnessed my first fish being speared under water and realised that diving in NZ is more about hunting and gathering than floating by gazing!
Pete, Nigel and Grant caught some fish and two crayfish but the club boat seemed to have much more luck catching some massive crays. Richi went for a second dive near Alligator Head and Nigel, Pete and Grant even managed a third dive in the waters closer to Duncan Bay. By the end of the day the water was so calm it was like a lake....
I think for our next trips we will be a little more prepared so are looking forward to it! Thanks for making it such a great day we look forward to seeing you again!
Louise & Richi