Shark Point 24th May 2008

Dive No. 309. 10.56 am, 19 degrees, 38 mins, 16.2 max, 10.1 avDM Patrick decided to try Shark Point after the prevailing westerlies of the week but when we arrived at Clovelly car park the incoming swell looked pretty formidable. Patrick, however, was still keen to give it a go, even though there were a couple of real beginners in the group, which comprised Liz, Keith, Amanda, Lilly, two pommie blokes, an Aussie woman and me. We entered in the pool and headed east and the incoming surge was incredible (Amanda felt scared and held Liz’s hand for the first 5 minutes or so). The water was lovely and warm and the vis was incredible, factors which made it much easier to cope with the challenging swell. The highlight fish-wise was a huge school of Old Wifes, probably more than a hundred. We also saw a beardie, schools of yellowtail, mados and hulas and plenty of morwongs. There was also a sighting of a giant cuttlefish and a PJ but I missed them. The trip back was the real adventure for the day: it was very difficult to swim against the surge which seemed to throw me back 10 metres for every metre I made forward! Finally I saw the welcome sight of the deep water and sand of Clovelly pool and headed down to the bottom and respite from the pounding surf. You can usually depend on Patrick to turn a Saturday shore dive into a major adventure!