Nick - Open-Water Checkout

On my trip to Arkansas many things happened; my sister started the trip sick, I got certified in scuba diving and all the time I was with my friends Carter and Griffin.  Because of them, I wasn't nervous.

The day we left for Arkansas started out great, we met up with Carter and Griffin and set off.  We watched movies and looked at the scenery on the way and finally reached the hotel.

The next morning our scuba certification started and I was ready with my gear set up in the water.  About 20 minutes later, my instructor was ready and I put my gear on and waded out into the lake.  Minutes later, I submerged.  Under the water it was so clear I could see at least 15 feet all around me.  It was breath-taking!  The instructors were strict, but nice and I saw lots of bass and bluegill.

We woke up at 7:00 the next morning and left for the second day of certificaiton.  My friends and I set up our gear and soon I was underway again.  "Today I will succeed," I said to myself that sunny day at Beaver Lake.  So succeed I did!  I passed the written exam last spring and now I had passed the open-water test at Beaver Lake. 

I am now absolutely confident with my mad scuba skills, I just can't wait for our trip to the British Virgin Islands, it will be awesome!

Britton - Open-Water Checkout

The drive down to Beaver Lake, Arkansas was long and super curvy and bumpy.  When we got there, we unloaded all of our heavy stuff (equipment) and went to see where to set up.  After we got set up and everybody else was there, we were assigned partners; me and my dad, Griffin and Carter and Nick and an instructor. 

On our first dive we did a mask partial flood and a mask full flood then we messed around under water, I saw 2 crawdads and some other cool stuff.  We went down to the thermocline, it was FREEZING!!!  The next dive was just as fun, we went down and then had to come up to the surface without taking a breath, then we got to explore again.  I saw a small bass and swam so close to it.  It was only three inches away!  We re-filled our tanks at the end of the day and went out for hamburgers.

The next morning, we got up early for breakfast and to check out of the hotel before driving back to Beaver Lake.  We got all of our stuff hooked up and went over to listen to the morning briefing.   We were working on diving with a compass so we had to do a quick compass course on shore before we did it in the water with our partners.  After we finished, we got to explore again.  The last dive, I did by myself with an istructor.  I led the way and we found a big red metal steering wheel and a really cool stump that lots of fish were hiding in.  Then we went down to the thermocline again.

When we were finished diving, we got our log books filled out and signed, we loaded up our stuff, said "Goodbye" and "Thanks" and headed for the road.

Scuba Class

In the spring of 2010, we started our scuba diving classes at The Dive Shop.  We spent six weeks learning, studying and practicing for our open-water checkout to become PADI-certified scuba divers.

We all passed our open-water checkouts in August and are now certified. 

We are looking forward to spending a week sailing and scuba diving in the British Virgin Islands.  We will be diving "The Chimney" at The Dogs, (West Dog, George Dog and Great Dog are all islands) and the Wreck of the RMS Rhone off of Salt Island.

RMS RHONE
The Royal Mail Steamer Rhone (310 feet long) was one of the first iron hulled ships.  It was powered by both sail and steam.  It was anchored outside Great Harbour, Peter Island on the morning of October 29, 1867 to take on cargo and stores when the barometer began to fall, hinting that the good weather might deteriorate.

"About 11am, the barometer suddenly fell to 27.95 degrees.  The sky darkened, and with a mighty roar a fearful hurricane blew from the north/northwest.  The howling wind whistled through the shrouds and tore at the rigging.  With engines going at full speed, the ship rode the storm."

The Rhone weighed anchor during a lull and steamed seaward at full speed in order to ride out the remainder of the storm on the open sea.  When she rounded the last point of land, the hurricane struck forcing her onto the rocks at Salt Island.  When the cold seawater entered the hot boilers, they exploded and she sunk instantly.  Of the 150-300 peole on board, only 22 crew members and one passenger survived.  One hundred years later, in 1967, the area became a Marine Park.

The shipwreck was featured in the 1977 film, The Deep.