Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
It's been a long time since I've shared a dive report here. But this one was just to epic not to share.
I've been fishing in Nootka Sound for many years but never really had time to dive. There's salmon to be caught you know! But last spring I joined a good friend of mine at a family cabin of his in Tahsis for a weekend of shrimping and Halibut fishing. Every day, twice a day, we would pass by Mozino Point and I would recall the post here and the ADM article from John Rawlings and those beautiful Pink Gorgonian Corals and I just had to do it. My buddy was again, heading up to the cabin for the weekend and invited me along. I asked how he felt if I did a little diving and whether there was room for me to bring a dive buddy. He was all for it!
Friday morning Chris(H2Odoc) and I caught the 5:15 ferry headed to the Island and our epic weekend had begun. The weather was beautiful and the tides for Nootka Sound were perfect all weekend! The rest of the fishing crew had arrived a few days earlier and would be staying one more day so we didn't plan any major diving till Sunday. Just a little light spear and pole fishing and some needed drysuit repairs after a rough neoprene vs. stainless steel screw match up on the boat...
Sunday morning we planned to do our only dive at Mozino Point at the 9:30 slack. After much conversation with Mr. Rawlings and a great dive briefing from Scott Schooner at Tahtsa Dive Charters we had our dive time picked, our entry point nailed down and the route we needed to get to the good stuff! So here we go: When we surfaced, between the whooping and the high fives, we decided that we had to dive it again! We did another dive that morning at another site, but it was a total blur. All I could think about was those corals and that wall! Motion Point would be the real gem of this trip! We'd be back for sure!
I've been fishing in Nootka Sound for many years but never really had time to dive. There's salmon to be caught you know! But last spring I joined a good friend of mine at a family cabin of his in Tahsis for a weekend of shrimping and Halibut fishing. Every day, twice a day, we would pass by Mozino Point and I would recall the post here and the ADM article from John Rawlings and those beautiful Pink Gorgonian Corals and I just had to do it. My buddy was again, heading up to the cabin for the weekend and invited me along. I asked how he felt if I did a little diving and whether there was room for me to bring a dive buddy. He was all for it!
Friday morning Chris(H2Odoc) and I caught the 5:15 ferry headed to the Island and our epic weekend had begun. The weather was beautiful and the tides for Nootka Sound were perfect all weekend! The rest of the fishing crew had arrived a few days earlier and would be staying one more day so we didn't plan any major diving till Sunday. Just a little light spear and pole fishing and some needed drysuit repairs after a rough neoprene vs. stainless steel screw match up on the boat...
Sunday morning we planned to do our only dive at Mozino Point at the 9:30 slack. After much conversation with Mr. Rawlings and a great dive briefing from Scott Schooner at Tahtsa Dive Charters we had our dive time picked, our entry point nailed down and the route we needed to get to the good stuff! So here we go: When we surfaced, between the whooping and the high fives, we decided that we had to dive it again! We did another dive that morning at another site, but it was a total blur. All I could think about was those corals and that wall! Motion Point would be the real gem of this trip! We'd be back for sure!
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Our second and third dives at Mozino Point would be a bit shallower. But there were still a remarkable number of good sized corals between 120ft and 130ft. We chose to dive the site the next day at the same slack. It decided to start raining on us through the night and into the morning. No big deal!
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
I love the beauty, ruggedness and isolation of Nootka Sound. I look forward to every trip I take there whether diving or fishing. One place I'd rather be than anywhere else!
I'm already planning and dreaming about my next dive trip in October or November. Fishing there in August and not diving may be sure torture. Hopefully the salmon are even bigger than usual!!!Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Epic report! Outstanding!!!!
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Nice snaps! Looks like a great trip!
I've been wanting to get up there. How long did it take you to get there?
I've been wanting to get up there. How long did it take you to get there?
Visit pnwdiving.com for viz reports, slack planning, galleries and more! Your fellow diver will appreciate any viz reports you can add!
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Great report. Tahsis was one of my favorite dive trips ever. Scott and Jude are wonderful folks and hosts.
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Thanks for the report!
Nootka Sound and Tahsis are the best cold water diving I've done to date. Period.
There may be mo beta cold water diving somewhere, but I haven't done it yet.
Nootka Sound and Tahsis are the best cold water diving I've done to date. Period.
There may be mo beta cold water diving somewhere, but I haven't done it yet.
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Fantastic pictures! It looks like great diving!
Glad you had a fun trip!
Glad you had a fun trip!
Live Long And Prosper!!!
Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions.
Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions.
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Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Holy smokes! Awesome post and pics. The eagle is badass.
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
We caught the 5:15am ferry from Tsawwassen to Nanaimo and then rolled into Tahsis around 12:45pm. For as remote as it is, it's not to bad of a trip.YellowEye wrote:Nice snaps! Looks like a great trip!
I've been wanting to get up there. How long did it take you to get there?
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Thanks everybody for the comments!
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Great photos and report, sure brings back good memories, thanks for sharing ...
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I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
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Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Great photos and report. Mozino Point is one of my all-time favorite dives ... I was on that trip with John Rawlings and the ADM team. Really need to get back up there ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
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Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Glad you finally decided to dive there! I'm so happy for you....that area is one of my favorite spots on Earth, both topside and underwater.
“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”
http://www.advanceddivermagazine.com
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http://www.advanceddivermagazine.com
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Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Gargo club... Epic diving on the wall !!! Video coming soon
NWDC Rule #2 Pictures Or it didn't Happen
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
I had gotten a text message from seaslave to the fact of " Hey im going up fishing with my friends , but we might be able to get some diving in also " ... I was like Hmmmmmmm ok ... where at ? He says Tahsis... I have Never heard of this place , sounds Lame.... where is this place ? He says vancouver island ...7 hr drive... Im like ..ummmmm doesnt sound very exciting to me.. He then text me .. have you every seen Red Gorgonians ? Im like No but there on my bucket list !!! Hot diggy dam ... He then says ... the ADM team dove there, and they are at mozino Point .. 20 Min boat ride from the dock.... I then replied ... WHEN DO WE LEAVE ?!!!!??!!!!?!!!! He says 3 weeks ...
I went online after that and started reading and watching the ADM video of John rawlings, Curt, Bob , and others diving mozino point... I was completely excited to see these Red Gargos, and experience this place first hand.. I got my gear ready and loaded up both my 119 tanks , and the camera gear , checked , and double checked to make sure i had everything... I would drive up thursday night to seaslaves Place then we would leave early friday Morning at 530am, to catch the ferry... There was 1 lingering problem, i had become sick with a cold.. a nasty cough, nose boogers and congestion.. i had been taking massive amounts of stuff to kick it butt during the week, but it was still holding on to me tightly..
friday Morning crack of Doom we leave birch Bay to canada, get there early for the ferry boat , and we leave ..up stairs on the ferry we grab some breakfast , and the sausage , or what ever it is taste funky, like funky wrong , so i dont eat it ... back to the car, and i slept most of the way until we hit campbell river , get some grub and then off we go to Tahsis.... Now the last Leg of this road is gravel logging road Hell, and the loggers in their trucks dont give a dang about you , or where they are driving 65mph..on the road, and they are Heading straight at you way Over a safe speed Limit, we almost get taken out going in , and leaving ...
We are staying at Gabes Place , which is located 4 houses down from Scott and his wife Of tahtsa dive..NICE , we call and make plans for him to fill our tanks, and thank Goodness He had aquaseal Cause seaslave tore a nice Hole in his suit on day 1 of diving, which would have been game over for him all weekend... Day 1 was fishing .. Day 2 would be Mozino Point, day 3 mozino Point again and another site..
Now I was feeling pretty spooked about Mozino , and weirded out heavily ... why ? 1st thing that bothered me was the way this point is set up, 2 interconnecting flows of water meeting, and a deep channel that bring in nutrients and current.. So i knew there would be a Possibility of some current, cause I read the reports of the site.. 2nd issue ... Ken passed Here last sept , and they never found him, 3 days of under water rovers , and no sign of him.. I was sad very sad, that he passed here, but the other thought was , what if we find him ? how will i handle that underwater ... So i was feeling kinda uneasy about Mozino , and what to expect...
day of 1st dive ... we are diving a Mid morning slack, the game plan Is to dive together and have each other in sight the whole time, I will be above at 135 feet... Mathue below me at 160.. im planning for deco , so Is He ... My MOD is 135 only because my camera Housing is rated for that , and i cant drop deeper with out a risk of flooding and ruining what i have came here for to film.... Boat is loaded and we head out, Im still dealing with the cold , and feeling like crap , But if I have an issue as i start to get at depth, i will call the dive and head up.. But im dam determined to do this dive , because there arnt many divers I know who have been here and seen the gorgonians.. So its hell or high water for me , im committed... we are On the site gear up and we swim to the shore... Mathue is waiting on the rocks for me , and Im trying to calm myself, and get my mind settled, find my Zen .. after a few Mins i Look at him , he looks at me and says " Lets do it " ... Down we drop to 15 feet , and i Set my lens , turn on my lights , we start to kick down.. 35 .. 50 ..70 ... My mind Is blown .. there are hundreds , and I mean Hundreds of feather stars covering the rocks and floor, They are everywhere , and every square inch.. And the Viz , is Insane clear ... it was 80 feet or better , i could see forever Here, and the Other amazing thing about this dive is i have never seen cold , black clear , water , with No sediment in it ... it was that good.. We swam down and to the Left , We were In a Huge trench Cut between the rocks, Feather stars Like an underwater carpet.. at 95 feet I see the first small Red Gorgonian, but Im not here for little , i want Big , so I keep going down and as I get deeper , they just get bigger.. Im on a sloping rock and it just drops into the black depths.. I hit my max Now 135 feet and I start filming, Im feeling good , my head is a little fuzzy , but I know thats just the effect of narky Nark.. Mathue is below Me and he is snapping Photos ..
After I film , i look down to where Mathue is , and there is a nice group Of large Gargos !!! And I want to film them !! , But I cant ... Now never have I had a dive that was so freeking amazing , that I wanted to Go deeper.. " I wanted to go Deeper ", and it would be very easy for me to just bounce down , just bounce on down to 160 get the shot and come back... I really had a inner battle with my brain to violate and break My Mod plan... It was a first for me , and I needed to go deeper .. But I knew i couldnt !!! and it sucked , and I talked myself out of it cause i knew it wouldnt have been worth the risk, and racking up more of a deco obligation... So i signal Mathue that Im heading Left to explore and He decides to shallow up and explore also.. This is when I find cloud sponges , and a color explosion of strawberry anemones .. it started slowly , just a couple of sponges on the wall , ok no biggy , but when i got around the corner , It was Game on for both .... full on color explosion , and everything is covered with strawberries, It was truly a visual overload ... I film what i could , and head back up to the shallows and re join mathue , and we finish the dive ... Now He didnt see any of the sponges , So for the 2nd mozino dive the next day we both bounced back to the Gargos, and then I had mathue follow me to the eye candy of the sponges and wonder....
From what I have read here at Mozino point from rebreather Divers is when you reach the bottom, here on the floor , the Gargos are thick Like ferns covering the bottom, and they are a sight to see... we plan On going Back next winter , and I plan on experiencing this incredible site once again, because its truly a wonder to see... this Movie is Both dives combined as one, I have a 2nd Movie coming of a different site we did on saturday .. it wasnt Boulder alley, but it was near that site... I hope to find a tri color Nudi also next trip as we may venture out to the Nootka side...
ADM write up
http://www.advanceddivermagazine.com/ar ... ahsis.html
And Here Is the video ....
I went online after that and started reading and watching the ADM video of John rawlings, Curt, Bob , and others diving mozino point... I was completely excited to see these Red Gargos, and experience this place first hand.. I got my gear ready and loaded up both my 119 tanks , and the camera gear , checked , and double checked to make sure i had everything... I would drive up thursday night to seaslaves Place then we would leave early friday Morning at 530am, to catch the ferry... There was 1 lingering problem, i had become sick with a cold.. a nasty cough, nose boogers and congestion.. i had been taking massive amounts of stuff to kick it butt during the week, but it was still holding on to me tightly..
friday Morning crack of Doom we leave birch Bay to canada, get there early for the ferry boat , and we leave ..up stairs on the ferry we grab some breakfast , and the sausage , or what ever it is taste funky, like funky wrong , so i dont eat it ... back to the car, and i slept most of the way until we hit campbell river , get some grub and then off we go to Tahsis.... Now the last Leg of this road is gravel logging road Hell, and the loggers in their trucks dont give a dang about you , or where they are driving 65mph..on the road, and they are Heading straight at you way Over a safe speed Limit, we almost get taken out going in , and leaving ...
We are staying at Gabes Place , which is located 4 houses down from Scott and his wife Of tahtsa dive..NICE , we call and make plans for him to fill our tanks, and thank Goodness He had aquaseal Cause seaslave tore a nice Hole in his suit on day 1 of diving, which would have been game over for him all weekend... Day 1 was fishing .. Day 2 would be Mozino Point, day 3 mozino Point again and another site..
Now I was feeling pretty spooked about Mozino , and weirded out heavily ... why ? 1st thing that bothered me was the way this point is set up, 2 interconnecting flows of water meeting, and a deep channel that bring in nutrients and current.. So i knew there would be a Possibility of some current, cause I read the reports of the site.. 2nd issue ... Ken passed Here last sept , and they never found him, 3 days of under water rovers , and no sign of him.. I was sad very sad, that he passed here, but the other thought was , what if we find him ? how will i handle that underwater ... So i was feeling kinda uneasy about Mozino , and what to expect...
day of 1st dive ... we are diving a Mid morning slack, the game plan Is to dive together and have each other in sight the whole time, I will be above at 135 feet... Mathue below me at 160.. im planning for deco , so Is He ... My MOD is 135 only because my camera Housing is rated for that , and i cant drop deeper with out a risk of flooding and ruining what i have came here for to film.... Boat is loaded and we head out, Im still dealing with the cold , and feeling like crap , But if I have an issue as i start to get at depth, i will call the dive and head up.. But im dam determined to do this dive , because there arnt many divers I know who have been here and seen the gorgonians.. So its hell or high water for me , im committed... we are On the site gear up and we swim to the shore... Mathue is waiting on the rocks for me , and Im trying to calm myself, and get my mind settled, find my Zen .. after a few Mins i Look at him , he looks at me and says " Lets do it " ... Down we drop to 15 feet , and i Set my lens , turn on my lights , we start to kick down.. 35 .. 50 ..70 ... My mind Is blown .. there are hundreds , and I mean Hundreds of feather stars covering the rocks and floor, They are everywhere , and every square inch.. And the Viz , is Insane clear ... it was 80 feet or better , i could see forever Here, and the Other amazing thing about this dive is i have never seen cold , black clear , water , with No sediment in it ... it was that good.. We swam down and to the Left , We were In a Huge trench Cut between the rocks, Feather stars Like an underwater carpet.. at 95 feet I see the first small Red Gorgonian, but Im not here for little , i want Big , so I keep going down and as I get deeper , they just get bigger.. Im on a sloping rock and it just drops into the black depths.. I hit my max Now 135 feet and I start filming, Im feeling good , my head is a little fuzzy , but I know thats just the effect of narky Nark.. Mathue is below Me and he is snapping Photos ..
After I film , i look down to where Mathue is , and there is a nice group Of large Gargos !!! And I want to film them !! , But I cant ... Now never have I had a dive that was so freeking amazing , that I wanted to Go deeper.. " I wanted to go Deeper ", and it would be very easy for me to just bounce down , just bounce on down to 160 get the shot and come back... I really had a inner battle with my brain to violate and break My Mod plan... It was a first for me , and I needed to go deeper .. But I knew i couldnt !!! and it sucked , and I talked myself out of it cause i knew it wouldnt have been worth the risk, and racking up more of a deco obligation... So i signal Mathue that Im heading Left to explore and He decides to shallow up and explore also.. This is when I find cloud sponges , and a color explosion of strawberry anemones .. it started slowly , just a couple of sponges on the wall , ok no biggy , but when i got around the corner , It was Game on for both .... full on color explosion , and everything is covered with strawberries, It was truly a visual overload ... I film what i could , and head back up to the shallows and re join mathue , and we finish the dive ... Now He didnt see any of the sponges , So for the 2nd mozino dive the next day we both bounced back to the Gargos, and then I had mathue follow me to the eye candy of the sponges and wonder....
From what I have read here at Mozino point from rebreather Divers is when you reach the bottom, here on the floor , the Gargos are thick Like ferns covering the bottom, and they are a sight to see... we plan On going Back next winter , and I plan on experiencing this incredible site once again, because its truly a wonder to see... this Movie is Both dives combined as one, I have a 2nd Movie coming of a different site we did on saturday .. it wasnt Boulder alley, but it was near that site... I hope to find a tri color Nudi also next trip as we may venture out to the Nootka side...
ADM write up
http://www.advanceddivermagazine.com/ar ... ahsis.html
And Here Is the video ....
Last edited by H20doctor on Tue May 10, 2016 12:10 pm, edited 2 times in total.
NWDC Rule #2 Pictures Or it didn't Happen
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Nice Vid! I need to go check that place out!
Cool music too!
Cool music too!
Visit pnwdiving.com for viz reports, slack planning, galleries and more! Your fellow diver will appreciate any viz reports you can add!
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Wow beautiful!! I love how pink it is and all those millions of feather stars are great! The viz looks spectacular!
I agree with EY really nice music too!
You're just so multi talented!!!
I can't wait till we head back up to Victoria!
I agree with EY really nice music too!
You're just so multi talented!!!
I can't wait till we head back up to Victoria!
Live Long And Prosper!!!
Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions.
Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions.
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Great vid Doc! Loved it!
- stphnmartin
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Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Very cool and deep but worth the effort. Really like the colors.
Awesome you create your own music! I didn't know that till I saw the credits!
Awesome you create your own music! I didn't know that till I saw the credits!
View dive videos on my youtube channel. GH5, Nauticam housing, Big Blue 9000s, Sola 500, 1200, Scuba Lamp Snoot, Mavic 2 Pro, Osmo, Final Cut Pro X
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Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Nice work H2O. I really enjoyed your video
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Big like on the vid, Doc! Great report, too.
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
Fantastic Music!! Admittedly a bit jelly of your talents, so cool to be able to utilize your own compositions...
----
"I survived the Brittandrea Dorikulla, where's my T-shirt!"
"I survived the Brittandrea Dorikulla, where's my T-shirt!"
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
ljjames wrote:Fantastic Music!! Admittedly a bit jelly of your talents, so cool to be able to utilize your own compositions...
well Ive learned a ton from you Laura James since 2007... So you are also a great film maker
NWDC Rule #2 Pictures Or it didn't Happen
Re: Tahsis, BC April 1st thru 4th (Long Winded)
I think it's about time to pay Scott and Jude a visit, John!