JC Scuba's Dive Log and Welcome to It: In Australia it's Mike Ball Dive Expeditions

Saturday, May 10, 2008

In Australia it's Mike Ball Dive Expeditions

When we dove with him the crew and the boats, the Paradise Sport, and Super Sport provided us with 10 days of diving adventure. It appears now that they also offer a seven night 450 mile Coral Sea Safari including some of the best dive sites on Australia's Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.

The new 7 night package offers dives at spectacular Challenger Bay, diver size fish at Cod's Hole, wall dives in gin clear water, exciting shark diving at the Scuba Zoo, exploration of Lizard Island, Cod Wall outer edge big fish dive and all the prime Ribbon Reef Sites. All of these locations represent underwater Heaven for the novice to expert underwater photographer.

His boats are luxurious catamarans suitable for adverse weather conditions. The meals and snacks were amazing. On our voyage we had an Aussie Special Forces cook. He had been sent to some of the greatest cooking schools in Europe. Needless to say, every meal was a gourmet treat. Have you ever had a hot towel put on your head, while a crew member was shoving a brownie in you mouth while you were still in your gear getting a tank fill? On a shallow dive on one of the numerous bommies this is normal treatment by and outstandingly trained and motivated crew. Return to Home Page:

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Welcome To JC's Dive Log Created for my Granddaughter Kaily

To Kaily: In the hope that one day you will dive! It is very important that you understand that there is nothing down below the water that can hurt you. Remember our trips to the Aquarium of the Pacific where Grandpa gave talks to the kids while he fed the fish underwater? Was that cool or what?

The intent of this blog will be to provide information on dive locations, dive operators, food, and the people and places I've been fortunate enough to meet along the way.

But first, some background information on me. I'm Jim Campbell, and was heard saying one day by a PADI Instructor while giving a Discover Scuba Class, " There is no way in the world I would ever do that again". After the class he approached me and asked my why I had said what I said. I told him back in the late sixty's I had a horrible experience diving with friends down in Mexico.

I had to admit my entire training at the time included

breathing on an old double hose regulator in a swimming pool. That accomplished, I was told I was "good to go" by a fraternity brother who had never dove.

We were going to hunt lobster, probably didn't have lights, and I got smashed on my first surf entry and immediately lost my buddy. It was then I exited the surf and made up my mind. This was a sport for fools.

He laughed, told me about the new safety equipment and offered me a lesson the following day. If I didn't enjoy it, it would cost me nothing. If I did, he would charge me for more pool time and an ocean dive the next afternoon.

With great fear and trepidation I showed up, listened to the brief lecture, and put on my gear. In one minute, my life changed forever. Scuba diving was for me! We went out for that ocean dive the next day, a beach dive in Kauai, saw all kinds of fish, turtles, and an octopus. I was hooked. I knew I had found my new passion.

I immediately signed up for an Open Water Class and the rest is history. The more I dove, the more I wanted to learn, the more I learned the more I wanted to dive. After some serious effort, I became a PADI Instructor, then a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer. I now teach most all specialties with the exception of ice diving. I hold a Distinctive Specialty in Shark Awareness Instructor, taking divers on shark dives, and Hazardous Marine Life Injuries. I'm also an SDI instructor.

Some 5000 dives and 10 years later I will attempt to answer the question; "Hey J.C., where's the best place you have ever dove?" I've recently retired but I've got stories to tell.