I stopped at Atwater beach today and I assume that the bouy 100 or so yards off shore is the wreck? Anyone been on it lately? Anyone want to carry my gear down the steps? Seriously though, anybody want to dive it with me? Todd? There are 127 steps if I didn't miscount. Todd, you are my first choice because you are a Paramedic. That way when I have a myocardial infarction on the steps, perhaps you could revive me. The other option is launching the inflatable from Bradford Beach and buzzing up to it.
The bouy (assuming it has been buoyed for the season now) is about 130 yards almost straight off the stairs. The hike in gear isn't too bad on the way down, it's the way back up that is brutal
Seriously, it's a lot like mountain climbing, use the platforms like base camps, you'll probably need a breather on the way back.
It's a 60 degree heading off of the northern most rock jetty. There is also the wreck of the Josphine just to the north of it in 5-10' right in fornt of the small steel pier.
When I was a lot younger I had one particular dive buddy that would race me back from the wreck to the car. I could always keep up with him in the swim and the stair climb until he started running marathons for fun. After that I couldn't even come close. :'(
Jon
I'll dive it with ya, I don't mind a few steps, and regarding the MI, I'm used to workin on skinny fat guys with bad tickers so another one will be no problem. ;D I'll even pop a mint in my mouth before CPR, what a deal huh.
Oooh! Oooh! Can I stand be w/ the defibrillator?
;D
Sounds like a fun dive...kinda cool that some wrecks are right off shore.
At the end of Capitol Drive off the north end of Atwater beach in Shorewood- north side of Milwaukee.
It is also a great surfing beach when the winds are right- usually in November.
Jon
November and surfing are NOT two words that should go together
What are you from Florida or something Jason? 8) We must strive to maintain the somewhat "psychologically bent" reputation that Midwest divers/watersports enthusiasts have earned with our antics. Surfing Lake Michigan in November?? SURE!! Freediving under the ice in wetsuits?? WHY NOT!! Whitewater Scuba diving anyone?? Hmmm?? ;D
It's not as bad as you think.
I would use my "boogie board" out there when I was in college. There were actually a bunch of guys out there on long boards when the waves got good. One of my prof's at UWM waas from the west coast and would surf when it got nice. I even remeber a surfer hotline that was in existence back inthe late 80's. I think it cost $20 a year and you could call this guy who lived on the lake to hear the wave report- I'm not making this stuff up!
People don't realize hoe nice the water is around here in the fall. It has had all summer long to warm up and it takes a while to cool down.
Speaking of white water diving.....
I have dove in the rapids of some of the rivers up north. It was a blast because I found out that's where all of the trout were hiding. You don't need to go that deep and the standing waves are right above you. THe fish are all around you wherever you look.
Here's another shot of freediving under the ice.
Jon
I'm all about keeping that reputation
I kinda like the looks you get from people when you tell them what temp water we dive in.
"Whadda you mean cold...it's still liquid, isn't it?"
Hehe.