Mini Scuba tirp report (Puget Sound)

[Sasha_K]

I’m long overdue on this follow up.

Reminder: a few months ago I asked for help on this forum – essentially finding a NAUI instructor in Seattle area. I’m from Toronto and was in Seattle for business so I wanted to do a few checkout dives for my AOW. Thanks to “Sounder”, I got connected to Bob Bailey.

The ‘trip’ started out fairly rough. Air Canada misplaced all my luggage.. As the days went by and my luggage was nowhere to be found, I purchased used equipment at craigslist for $200 (fins, mask, snorkel, gloves, hood, battery, BC and regulator) but I didn’t have to use most of it as Bob kindly offered his BP&W setup for free. So, while I was upset with Air Canada, I was really happy I got to try out BP&W.

Also, I ordered 7+7mm Bare wetsuit & Mares computer from ST which I wanted to use at my checkout dive. The scheduled delivery day for ST package was one day before I was scheduled to go for the checkout dives. Luckily, UPS showed up on time – thanks ST!

We went for 2 dives – navigational & shore dive at “Cove 2” and “Cove 3”. Considering the amount of new equipment on me, I’m happy with the way I did. The vis was ‘OK’, although it got pretty poor at one point of time. What can you expect to see at Cove 2 & 3? There used to be a dock (or a marina) at that spot which was simply knocked over into the water when owners didn’t need it any more. You can see some pretty big critters and fish which would let you get really close to them and even touch it. There was also many more other smaller things, but one thing I am leaning as I am going through my scuba certifications is that I’ll eventually have to become a marine biologist as well J . I thought it was a fairly safe environment for checkout dives, although there was a lot of fishing boats in there in the morning (just at one point of time). Also, between ‘cove 2’ and ‘cove 3 ‘ there is a pier for a local ferry which did make me a bit nervous I have to admit.

After the dive there is a nice little restaurant where you can get some food & refreshments. Bob, myself and another one of his students went there after the dives – now I have some more friends on the west coast!

Overall, Bob and advice from this forum helped make my stay in Seattle very enjoyable – it all went almost to waste due to misplaced luggage. All of that for a very affordable price. If you decide to take AOW dives in Puget Sound area, I highly recommend him.

PS
After Seattle I went to Victoria - a report about that is coming....