UECWA Newsletter
4th December 2024
Upcoming Dives
Mandurah Double Dives - 13-22/12
Dive Report - Saturday 30th November
Under the experienced hands of Skipper Geoff Geard and the watchful eye of Dive Officer Taryn Schuster, 3 nomination divers, Craydrian, Jeff Weston (aka Prawn collector), a few hopeful cray fishos and divers left the Marina on a balmy morning.
With the Cape Cruiser blasting at warp 9 (if you never watched Star Trek, you have a problem, not me), we dropped the anchor at Victoria Station. Beautiful country (yes Mike Buchanan was onboard, I stole the quote from him) swim throughs, Snappers, Dhufish, some Prawns (or adult cray fish for some) the usual wrasse, bullseye and lizard fish were spotted. All returned to the boat safely with nil issues.
A very short move to our next site, and we stopped at "The Maze". Which surprisingly, being so close to the other site, turned out to be a bit more surgey and viz dropped. But we all found some good spots in the cover of caves, some beautiful schools of beautiful fish (fish ID is not my forte sorry) and other places protected from the waves. A lot more Crays on this site, but the hunters on the boat explained (no, no excuses, of course) that some were small, berries, or too deep in the caves.
Beautiful site, all 11 divers back on the boat, and we were back in the marina before 1 pm. Another lovely day out on the water.
Sebastian Laffont
Dive Report - Sunday 1st December
Photo credit - Will Glendon
On Sunday, Cape Cruiser set off for Rottnest Island with seven keen divers onboard, plus our trusty skipper Jeff and dive officer Marcus, who both generously volunteered their time.
We kicked things off at 14 Metre Reef – aptly named for its depth, but let's just say it wasn't the clearest of dives! There was a fair bit of surge and visibility was a little on the average side, with clumps of seaweed floating around, but it didn’t dampen the fun. A few lucky divers managed to nab some crayfish, and we spotted a massive scorpionfish lurking in the rocks. Definitely a highlight!
Off we headed to Mike’s Flat Labyrinth for lunch and the second dive. While we took a break, Jeff managed to squeeze in a cheeky dive of his own, borrowing Chris’s gear for a quick dip for some crays.
After the break, we headed down for the second dive. The terrain here was much more exciting, with caves and swim-throughs to explore, and conditions were a bit more favourable below – though the wind was starting to pick up above the surface. The underwater landscape didn’t disappoint, with vibrant sponges and soft corals covering the walls of the beautiful caves.
By 1:30pm, we were back in Coogee, safely ahead of the rising winds. A lovely day out on the water, with good company, nice dives, and plenty of underwater adventures. Thanks again to Jeff and Marcus for their excellent support, and to all the divers who made it a fun and memorable Sunday!
Mel Daws
Expression of Interest: Dive Officer Training
Are you passionate about diving and looking to take your skills to the next level? The Underwater Explorers Club of WA is looking for volunteers to undergo Dive Officer training for our beloved boat, Cape Cruiser!
What’s Involved:
- Volunteer commitment: One day per month.
- Free dives: Enjoy complimentary dives on Cape Cruiser.
- Team environment: Work alongside a fantastic crew and help keep our club's diving adventures running smoothly.
- Training: Comprehensive Dive Officer training will be provided.
- Manual labour: Must be reasonably fit and able to assist with boat operations.
- Divers safety: Take charge of divers safety, ensuring all participants are well-prepared and dive safely.
If you’re ready to get involved and help us out on our Cape Cruiser dives or would like more information, please get in touch!
Contact Training Officer Sandra at:
safetytraining@uecwa.com.au
We look forward to hearing from you!
Christmas Party This Sunday!
Our Christmas Family Boat Trip on Sunday, December 8th is now fully booked, but we’d still love for you to join us at the Coogee Boathouse Pub at 3:30 PM!
If you’re not on the boat, come for drinks, catch up with fellow divers, and kick off the festive season with us. We can’t wait to celebrate together!
See you there!
Mandurah Fun Starts Next Week!
Cape Cruiser is back in Mandurah from Friday, December 13th to Sunday, December 22nd. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this festive experience.
What’s on offer:
- Double Dive Excursions: Explore the underwater wonders with exciting dive trips during the day.
- Scenic Canal Cruises: Relax on a peaceful evening cruise, soaking in the stunning Christmas light displays along the canals.
Spots are still available so be sure to book sooner rather than later to secure your place for the dives and cruises.
Important Information for Dive Bookings
All members who have paid their fees for the year 2024/2025 should be able to access the dive calendar on the new website and mobile app. Please Contact Us if you are having any issues.
If you would like notice of dive cancellations during our peak periods, then please contact Donna at divebookings@uecwa.com.au with your name and phone number to be added to a WhatsApp group.
Cancelling a Dive Ahead of Time
Important to note that you cannot cancel dives using the dive calendar. Cancellation needs to be by email directly to Donna at divebookings@uecwa.com.au
Please note our cancellation policy below as per the club bylaws:
Cancellations between 07:45 and 16:00 the day before: 50% cancellation fee.
Cancellations after 16:00 the day before: 100% cancellation fee.
No-shows: Full event fee.
Appeals for waivers due to medical reasons or family emergencies can be submitted in writing to the committee.
If you have any questions please check out our FAQ's, Contact Us or chat to your Committee members when you see us on the boat!
Newsletter Editor
Mel Daws - Public Relations
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