West Coast Canuk!

[Simon Lamb]

Having been pipped at the post by Pretty Flowers, I did my first dive over here last night off the coast at Whytecliff Park, just a lttle north of Vancouver.

To add to the excitement, it was the first 'real' outing in my shiney new wing (Eclipse and s/s BP), and new buddies to boot!

A nice easy dive, max 12m, gentle pootle about the sand and rocks so that I could check my weight (in pounds) and get used to Ali cylinders.

The life was incredible, there must have been over 100 star fish, purple and about the size of a dinner plate, and huge red 16 legged ones that appeared to be photo-sensitive. I havent got a fish ID book yet so excuse the "ooh, red" descriptions!!!

Many flatfish aswell which were quite agressive, I'm guessing its spawning season. That was later confirmed by a field of crabs "doing the dirty" right there infront of us!

Due to the excitment, the new stuff, and the just incredible abundance of life, I managed to guzzle 12l of air in 52 minutes, but this has to rank amongst the best dives of my short career to date. Awesome.