2005 Forster Trip Debrief - with Cameron.

The ship set sail from Cronulla Friday lunchtime, bound for the warmer shark-infested waters of Forster. Although a 5 hour drive preceded us, the group was in high hopes of an action packed weekend. Within 15 minutes of driving most were asleep and left me and the road to our own devices. And I'll tell you what…….its a real quiet place once the radio looses reception!

Bulladela was the first port of call for a much needed stretch and a pie….and to wake everyone else up again. We arrived in Forster around 6:30pm, stomachs growling and keen for a good night rest. Knowing that the seas were huge didn’t deter many from the bar and bistro. Early to rise on Saturday, chomping at the bit to get amongst it………until we exited the heads and into the 4m swell. Within seconds faces turned green and all were leaning over the side…..checking out the dolphins they said….whatever!!!!

Fighting to be the first in the water we eventually made it in and descended as fast as we could equalize. For first timers the sight of a grey nurse looming out of the shadows was a daunting sight; and if one wasn’t enough try 3, 4, or 5 at a time. They were coming from everywhere; and just to rub it in Mark, David and Andrew had a multitude of skills to complete for their advanced course. Just ask them and they will tell you that doing skills with a mouth full of razor sharp teeth next to you is a little off putting. Apart from the sharks there was an abundance of other fish life including huge bull rays, lion fish, massive schools of king and jew fish and few of the smaller, much friendlier sharks.

Back on dry land we spotted a $5 Chinese restaurant which was the popular choice for the rest of the weekend. Mental note, when dining with Hassan be sure to arrive early so that he give a detailed description of his meal to the waitress. What temperature he liked it, whether it had too much black bean sauce or not, and for the love of god don’t mix the rice with the rest of the meal!!!!

Like many pro dive trips, hogs breath café was the choice for dinner…only because everyone was so hungry because they had thrown up their breakfast earlier in the day, steaks all round!! Sunday was another early rise and much to the delight of the divers and boat drew the sea had calmed down and few notches. And no one was sick as we raided the local chemist for their entire supply of kwells. Sharks aplenty and more skills for the advanced divers. Due to the weather restrictions we got to know the pinnacles pretty well, but no one really cared as long as the sharks hung around.

Monday was much like Saturday, huge seas and the sickness that comes with it. By this stage we were already planning the next trip and me trying to convince someone else to do the long drive back to Sydney………unsuccessfully of course!! Thanks a lot guys.

I would like to thank all the guys at dive Forster @ fisherman’s wharf for an awesome weekend and for letting us land lubbers know how soft we really are.

To all the guys that came along Peter, Marianne(Stan), Hassan, Matt and the surfing boys, Bart the crazy polish man, Leigh, David, Andrew and Mark, thanks for a stress free weekend you were all a pleasure to dive with.