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Barrie-Muskoka > Recreation > Sports >
Sports: Scuba Diving
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[ Background | Equipment | Where ]
Background
Scuba diving was created by Jacques Cousteau who invented the Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, which includes the air tanks, regulators, hoses and mask needed for effortless breathing under the water. Scuba diving is a great sport for seeing the undersea nature. When you have your PADI (Professional Association of Diving
Instructors), TDI (Technical Diving International), or NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) scuba diving certification, you can dive almost anywhere in the world.
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Equipment
Scuba diving involves not just the cost of the equipment, but also travel to good & often execotic scuba locations. The equipment for scuba diving is life-critical and always top quality, though you can rent it (especially if you don't dive a lot) at almost any resort or dive shop when you have a recognized certification.
Typical diving gear includes: a mask, a snorkel, a full length wet suit, a hood, a pair of diving gloves, a weight belt, a BCD (Buoyancy Control Device), a primary regulator with an alternate air source (second stage), an air tank, instrument console, diving boots, flippers, a diving knife, dive tables, a slate and an equipment bag for carrying the gear. The equipment is not cheap to buy, with a BCD costing $300-$800y.
Equipment and lessons are available at one of the scuba diving shops here. Try on every piece of equipment before buying. Those with a pool on location, will even let you try it underwater to make sure it functions and fits properly. If you choose to buy used equipment, check it thoroughly, have it inspected by a professional scuba diving equipment technician and ask to test it out (remember, its your life support underwater).
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Where
There are a number of places to dive close to Barrie - Orillia, including the clear Georgian Bay waters off Penetanguishene and Tobermory.
- J.C. Morrison Wreckage (Barrie)
A pleasure cruise steamer, which shipped people and supplies around Lake Simcoe caught fire in the summer of 1857. The ship sank a few yards east of present day Centennial Beach. The remains are located 200 yards from shore between the Rotary Water Fountain and Duffer's by the Water.
- Big Bay Point (Barrie)
The deep, clear waters provide an excellent dive site for viewing fish among timbers left from a long forgotten shipwreck.
- Several wrecks still linger on the bottom of lakes Joseph, Rosseau and Muskoka Lake
- Paddle wheeler passenger ship Ella Ross (1912) off the Parry Sound docks at a depth of about 20 feet
Tobermory is widely considered the Dive Capital of Canada, with its deep clear waters and plenty of wrecks.
Visit Canada's first National Marine Park, Fathom Five National Marine Park which two components,
45 square miles of clear water plus an archipelago of 19 islands. The park features sheer cliffs, limestone overhangs
and large caves can be found both on the islands and submerged beneath the water. There are
also the remains of over 20 historical shipwrecks in these waters.
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