Ottawa Freedivers Thaw Out
Posted By Matt Charlton on 5 July 2004
Three hardy souls headed out to fin-kick-off the freediving season just north of the 49th parallel this wet and foggy morning. The ice has receded to reveal some beautiful (albeit nippy) blue water in our local watering hole, Morrison's Quarry. Jason Billows and I are initiating our new dive buddy Roberto Cerdna, a champion spearo from Peru, to Canadian diving.
A beautiful training site sheltered from the wind, Morrison's Quarry is located in the picturesque Gatineau Hills approximately 35 minutes' drive from our Nation's Capital, Ottawa. It is privately-owned and has been a favourite hangout for landlubbers and water babies alike.
Several picnic tables are scattered along the shoreline with some covered areas for times of inclement weather. An outdoor chimney is available for use on those brutally cold days of ice diving and the usual amenities are available on the other side of the kiddie park.
For those non-divers relegated to shore duty or baby-tendering, there is always the bungee jump some 200' above the water or the high speed cable ride that sends its victims screaming from one side of the quarry to the other.
But for those who do dive, there await some fine sights to see underwater as well.
A gradual beach entry and a few gentle fin kicks (a few more if you're a scubie) places you over the top of a twin-prop ten-seater aircraft in 25' of water, its nose looming over the edge of a sharp drop to 80'. The plane sits on an underwater road that corkscrews down to the bottom at 132'. Along the drive down, one can also find a yellow submarine and a tugboat in 45' and a couple of cars beyond 100'. The plane, sub and boat were placed there for the divers, and the cars, well... Let's just say the parties are pretty good on Saturday nights in the heat of summer.
Our club, the Ottawa Freedivers, with the assistance of Dolphino's Dive Shop, has installed a couple of extra-thick lines in the quarry so all we need to bring with us is our float, gear and a hardy resolve.
This is our first brave foray outdoors since the glaciers have retreated, so we have exercised caution and brought plenty of wuss water.
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