An old friend

They say that familiarity breeds contempt.

June 11, 2024
Lake Rotoma's Mailbox Point, is a favourite dive location for divers of all skill levels.
Lake Rotoma's Mailbox Point, is a favourite dive location for divers of all skill levels.
Photographer:
Warrick Powrie

The benefit of a well-known dive site

The benefit of a well-known dive site, is that it allows you to try out new equipment, to practice skills or new techniques and gently push the boundaries of your comfort and experiences (should you wish) in a highly familiar setting. Mailbox Point at Lake Rotoma, NZ, is a good example of this, for me and many others.
The site sees dozens of open-water students through its turnstile each month but is also used by technical and rebreather divers alike, with a maximum depth of 83m. As such it offers something for everyone.

A Christmas Santa located at depth before bringing it back to the boat captain and shore, Aotearoa Dive do I win a prize?
A Christmas Santa located at depth before bringing it back to the boat captain and shore, Aotearoa Dive do I win a prize?

This weekend on an Aotearoa Dive club dive and my 32nd at the lake, I tried adding a 12L stage to my backplate and wing setup. I’ve dived with two cylinders a lot, regularly carrying a 40cu pony/stage tank with either air or 40% nitrox, to cover emergencies and conservativism with off-gassing. However, this was my first venture into larger, multi-cylinder diving.
The first dive allowed me to check my weighting, which I’d adjusted correctly in terms of overall weight but not the distribution (I was tipping to one side). I fixed this on the second dive and ventured off to 40m with my dive buddy, (who also happens to be an Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Tech 45 and Tech sidemount instructor).

The well known boat in Lake Rotoma has been relocated to around 7-8 metres due to Lake level rising.
The well known boat in Lake Rotoma has been relocated to around 7-8 metres due to Lake level rising.

The site has a gentle and uniform slope heading to depth, meaning navigation is simple. The muddy bottom beyond 20m is perfect for testing your body position and keeping your finning technique ‘honest’. Its near pitch-black beyond 35m and there is an abundance of freshwater crayfish (koura) the deeper and darker you go.

Mike testing his trim position and back finning with a sling tank on.
Mike testing his trim position and back finning with a sling tank on.
Anchor points for the deep dive training are in location, Koura abound in the deeper parts of the lake
Anchor points for the deep dive training are in location, Koura abound in the deeper parts of the lake

Lake Rotoma is a great place to improve your diving skills and really is like catching up with an old friend.

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Michael Townsend

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