Blackwall Reach Club Night Dive

Wednesday 10 May 2023

What an awesome Wednesday night out for our Manta Club members weekly night dive. With dodgy weather forecasts in place along the coast we ventured back to the river and my favourite spot, Blackwall Reach.

Water was flat and despite a bit of a surface current it was a great dive. Visibility was great and plenty an underwater critter to see.

Tonight we followed a new underwater trail line put down by local diver Christopher Benzie Dodd. You now have the option to either surface swim, as we have always done, to the marker buoy then descend onto the barge or to follow the new line that starts not far from the jetty underwater direct to the barge. Either way you are in for a treat.

As the seasons change we will spend more time back in the river. It is an awesome place to dive, especially at night in winter.

Thanks to all the divers that braved the night and made it a lot of fun.

written by PADI Divemaster Phil McDonald

Instructor Examination Weekend

6 - 7 May 2023

Perth Scuba's Instructor Development Team are pleased to announce the Success of seven newly certified PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors.

After a weekend of theory examinations, classroom presentations, confined and open water presentations the reward was to become PADIs newest Open Water Dive Instructors.

In trying, cold conditions, the weekend started with Theory Examinations and Knowledge Development stress levels were a little higher than normal but with an average pass mark of 96% the candidates proved their Dive theory knowledge.

Confined Water presentations are built around the technical aspects of Confined Water presentations but again with confidence from previous results in the classroom the candidates surpassed all expectations.

Rockingham Wreck Trail presents another challenge, currents, wind and chilly water temperatures were conditions set for the candidates open water presentations and rescue diver assessment.

Professional at all times the candidates did not only manage conditions but excelled in their assessments. Outstanding presentations marks were the reward for hard work!

To be a PADI dive professional is a challenge. Hard work, personal sacrifice and a willingness to learn and develop are just a few key elements required. The continuing path of professional diving development is further tested and assessed at Perth Scubas Instructor Development Course (IDC).

8 Days of personal and professional development in all areas of diving requires long hours of study and personal sacrifice.

When teaching these courses, I am always amazed and happy to see determination in students to reach the highest levels not only in Dive development but personal as well.

"Are you willing to change the person you are to the person you want to become?” is the motto I relate to the candidates.

So, are you ready to take the next step into Professional Dive Development? To become a PADI Open Water Dive Instructor?

Perth Scuba is the only Career Development Centre in Western Australia, advice from our Development Team is always available. We are here to support your personal and professional journey into the world of Diving.

Divemaster is the beginning, where will your journey end, that is your choice alone!

So, Congratulations to

Harriet, Rob, Niels, Itamar, San, Devan and Shaun …….

For further advice on Careers in Diving and Professional Development contact the Team at Perth Scuba or myself.

written by Andy Goddard 

PADI (Platinum) Course Director

How many calories does a SCUBA DIVE burn? 

Ever wondered how many Calories or Kilojoules one Scuba Dive burns? These days, with everyone on stay fit and eat right regimes, you will have noticed that almost everything is turned into Kilojoules burned and Kilojoules consumed. The very fear of eating a freddo frog (70 Calories / 293 Kilojoules in a 30g frog!) sits in the back of your mind while you sit and enjoy it – knowing that it will take a bit of exercise to “work it off”.

Well… For those of you who are lucky enough to enjoy our awesome sport of Scuba Diving, you will be happy to know that we have done the hard work for you and have come up with those magical numbers that will make you feel a whole lot better about the big lunch you have onboard Blue Destiny between dives. 

Just to be fair to those other “not so much fun” sports and activities, we’ve included the Kilojoules burned for those too.

• Please note – These measurements are based on 60kg person and an 85kg person * I will give you a link to personalise your own weight vs activity so you can get a more exact number of Freddo Frogs you can eat after each activity to be “Kilojoule neutral”. 

Snorkelling : (Kilojoules burned per hour) 

60kg – 1412kj  (4.81 Frogs)

85kg – 1712kj  (5.84 Frogs)

Skateboarding : (Kilojoules burned per hour) 

60kg – 1412kj  (4.81 Frogs)

85kg – 1712kj  (5.84 Frogs)

Body Boarding: (Kilojoules burned per hour)

60kg – 847kj    (2.89 Frogs)

85kg – 1027kj  (3.50 Frogs)

Swimming : (Kilojoules burned per hour) * Freestyle fast or Breast stroke (same)

60kg – 2826kj  (9.65 Frogs)

85kg – 3424kj  (11.68 Frogs)

Spearfishing : (Kilojoules burned per hour)

60kg – 1757kj  (5.99 Frogs)

85kg – 2489kj  (8.49 Frogs)

Paddle Boarding: : (Kilojoules burned per hour)

60kg – 847kj    (2.89 Frogs)

85kg – 1027kj  (3.50 Frogs)

Scootering:  (Kilojoules burned per hour)

60Kg – 1412kj  (4.81 Frogs)

85kg – 1712kj  (5.84 Frogs)

Surfing : (Kilojoules burned per hour)

60kg – 847kj  (2.89 Frogs)

85kg – 1027kj (3.50 Frogs)

Scuba Diving: : (Kilojoules burned per hour)

60kg – 1980kj  (6.75 Frogs)

85kg – 2399kj  (8.18 Frogs)

So there you have it! 

Swimming is the most physical activity with the highest Calories / Kilojoules burned per hour followed by SCUBA DIVING!! The great part about Scuba diving is that the exercise is happening while you do what you love the most. Now if that isn’t a great reason to go diving, then what is? 

** To find your own personal kilojoules burn based on your weight use these links:

www.8700.com.au/balance-and-burn/how-to-burn-your-kjs/

www.mydr.com.au/tools/calories-burned-calculator

And before you say anything about the author of this article… Its been a long time between dives and not so long between Freddo Frogs ok? 

written by Lee Johnson

Seeking the Elusive Weedy Sea Dragon

Wednesday 3 May 2023

The sea was calm, no wind and the excitement palpable as our group of keen divers got together for the weedy hunt. I’ve got the coords for the weedies down pat now, and they have been easy to find the last few times. Sure enough, 5 weedies were spotted in total.

This dive site never fails to delight, and our divers also spotted a bobtail squid, octopus, a Port Jackson shark, stingrays, flounders, and the biggest jelly fish you ever did see, complete with a colony of fish in the middle!

Yes, the water is getting a bit cooler. Don’t let this deter you, get a drysuit if you have to. The diving is amazing this time of the year. Hope to see you soon!

Divemaster Barb Johnson

Omeo Wreck Club Night Dive

Wednesday 26 April 2023

The weather is turning and it is the brave that take to the water at night.

Despite challenging conditions we ventured out at the Omeo Wreck on Wednesday night. Visibility was limited at around a metre but there was still some interesting critters out there. Franz found his Moray and the rest of us were green with envy. We looked just like him.

Thanks again to those that came along to our free Wednesday night Manta Club dive. These are great social events and an awesome way to meet like minded divers.

See you next Wednesday.

written by PADI Divemaster Phil McDonald