Russ's scuba diving logbook on Diveboard

Russ
Logbook

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Originally from Australia, living in S.E. Asia, and now based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Recently re-qualified for Open Water diving after a gap of several decades since my last underwater experience in Australia's chilly southern waters. My how things have changed.
With such limited social options in Riyadh, I really needed something to get me involved in the outside world again. Diving is a great way to do that (and cool off at the same time).

Places I've Dived

Total number of dives not on diveboard:
This number is added to the total number of dives logged in Diveboard (public+private) for the stat "Total number of dives".
Dives published:4
Total dives count:29
Dives this year:0
Total underwater time on Diveboard:18 hrs 44 min
Most dives on Diveboard in:
Saudi Arabia
Deepest Dive:
18m in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Longest Dive:
34 min in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Pictures in logbook:228
Number of species spotted:0

Favorite Pictures

Species Spotted

Data provided by EOL.org

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Favorite Dives

2012-05-24 Saudi Arabia Jeddah
Christina Reef

Spent so much time trying to get leaking mask cleared didn't have time to enjoy the scenery. However, achieved all the objectives for Open Water dive #2. Next...
2012-05-24 Saudi Arabia Jeddah
Fiona Reef

Last dive of the day after great lunch on board. Gear fitting better this time and managed to enjoy the experience and take a leisurely stroll around the reef. All objectives completed, so the final dive tomorrow can be just for looking around.
2012-05-24 Saudi Arabia Marble Wreck
Marble Wreck

First Open Water Dive - started with a quick dawn walk around the Paradise Beach compound where we are staying. Arrived last night from Riyadh after midnight. A quick check of the gear then loaded into the car and off for a nourishing breakfast at Dunkin Donuts - oh well, at least lots of carbs for the day. Next off to the dive shop to meet up with the rest of the divers and hire our BCDs and tanks. Two boats going out today - ours just about at max capacity with about 25 pax plus crew. Two hours out from Jeddah we arrived at Marble Wreck for the first dive of the day. It gets it's name from the ship that sank here carrying a load of toilets, tiles and other bathroom items. Quite a big swell so glad I took the pills before we started. A couple of others didn't and they are sure paying the price now. Gotta be very careful getting back on to the ladder at the back of the boat in such a big swell - the ladder can swing back up at high speed and give you a nasty crack on the legs or worse.
2012-05-25 Saudi Arabia Jeddah
Paradise Beach

Off the end of the pier at the Paradise Beach Resort where we stayed overnight. Last dive to qualify Open Water (again). Completed all the exercises yesterday so today was just a free dive. With so many day-trippers coming in to Paradise Beach Resort just to dive, the area was getting pretty crowded at the end of the pier. I did not have great expectations. I could not have been more wrong. Only meters from shore and stretching North and South up the coast was a great and very diverse reef with lots of space to get away from the crowd. Enjoyed this one dive much more than the three boat dives yesterday. Excellent visibility, no significant current, plenty of coral and sea-life. The down side is having to hang around for another 12 hours after the dive before we could get our flight back to Riyadh. Paradise Beach Resort accommodation is very basic with a lounge & kitchen downstairs and two bedrooms upstairs - one double and the other two singles. The little mini-mart / burger stand makes great burgers & fries etc to fix that raging appetite after diving. Also, Pizza Hut is less than 2 minutes walk from the front gate.