Quarry Dive
September 22, 2007
Quarry
Lalie found the cheapest airtickets ever and I found myself late on Friday at the Charlotte airport. I think Lalie was concerned about my old 'broken' truck, so Mario was kind to bring his camel for alternate transport. LOL We had a nice drive straight to my house listening to music and talking to get 'caught up'. We arrived to my house, made quick introductions and then slept a short night.
Saturday we headed to the quarry and Blue Stone Dive Center (I'll write a separate review). Since D and I were taking instruction for our PADI Open Water License, my good friend Santiago came to dive also with Mario and Lalie. Lucky for us the weather was hot and the water temp was nice (at least above the thermocline). At night, my workmate was hosting a Tapas party and all my workmates got to meet Mario and Lalie and have good conversation.
Sunday we dived during the day and then went to small centre of Winston Salem for Thai dinner. The food was nice and we again had a great time.
The weekend seemed so short and soon (Monday at 0300) Lalie and Mario needed to go to the airport. It was sad to end the weekend, but we know we will again see our friends and create more adventure.
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Quarry
Set up
Mario now happy
Tapas party
In case you don't know Mario is …
Red Curry
Chillin the most
Set Up
Confined Water Area
Blue Stone Dive Center is a PADI 5 star dive center. This place is really very nice. It's an old rock quarry that was closed decades ago because the quarry operator hit a natural spring and the cost to pump water became too great so the quarry was allowed to flood. Now it is a 20 acre lake with depths that vary from 25 to 87 feet. Also there is a confined water area for training purposes.
The facilities are very usable. The main dive center has classroom. Decompression (LOL), rentals, locker rooms etc. The quarry have four entrance docks and a tram that will carry divers and equipment. Also there is another building near the confined water with more locker rooms. The rentals are very cheap and air is only $4. This is a great place to train and/or refresh your skills.
The reason we chose to take PADI at Blue Stone is the close proximity to where I live, but also because I wanted to take my training in a natural environment instead of a swimming pool. The water conditions here are best in the morning when the visibility is better. Since this is a quarry, the water is fresh and there is no red mud like most lakes in the south.
In the quarry, there is a helicopter, 55' PT boat and many other boats, cars and objects to see and explore. Additionally, there are underwater platforms throughout the quarry. The thermocline is around 35 so you better be prepared if you plan to dive deep, it's very cold down there 55F. Other features to view are various fish including large Japanese Koi and small freshwater jellyfish. The jellyfish last only for a couple weeks and we were lucky to see hundreds of them both weekends. Really cool.
I don't know everything they offer here, but the instruction is extensive and even includes training for compressor mechanics and regulator training tech. This is in addition to extensive dive training, from advanced, nitrox, to master, rescue, to instructor. They are also installing a suspended helicopter for use in helicopter repel scuba rescue training. This is a good place to get advanced training for the NC wreck diving in the 'graveyard of the Atlantic'.
The facilities are very usable. The main dive center has classroom. Decompression (LOL), rentals, locker rooms etc. The quarry have four entrance docks and a tram that will carry divers and equipment. Also there is another building near the confined water with more locker rooms. The rentals are very cheap and air is only $4. This is a great place to train and/or refresh your skills.
The reason we chose to take PADI at Blue Stone is the close proximity to where I live, but also because I wanted to take my training in a natural environment instead of a swimming pool. The water conditions here are best in the morning when the visibility is better. Since this is a quarry, the water is fresh and there is no red mud like most lakes in the south.
In the quarry, there is a helicopter, 55' PT boat and many other boats, cars and objects to see and explore. Additionally, there are underwater platforms throughout the quarry. The thermocline is around 35 so you better be prepared if you plan to dive deep, it's very cold down there 55F. Other features to view are various fish including large Japanese Koi and small freshwater jellyfish. The jellyfish last only for a couple weeks and we were lucky to see hundreds of them both weekends. Really cool.
I don't know everything they offer here, but the instruction is extensive and even includes training for compressor mechanics and regulator training tech. This is in addition to extensive dive training, from advanced, nitrox, to master, rescue, to instructor. They are also installing a suspended helicopter for use in helicopter repel scuba rescue training. This is a good place to get advanced training for the NC wreck diving in the 'graveyard of the Atlantic'.
Santiago dives too
Dive Center
Wet
Quarry
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