I am more of a land dweller enjoying the ocean from my
comfy chair on the beach. The mystery of
the underwater ocean world with its’ burst of color from the variety of fish and
coral carries some intrigue. My
intrigue however, has only led me to stand safely on the ground peering into
an aquarium. During my recent venture to the quaint area of Lauderdale- by- the -Sea (see Days - 289, 290), I thought that it was time to “dive in” to an underwater
adventure of this area’s off coast coral
reefs and a nearby ship wreck (SS Copenhagen) .
 |
Reflection
Lauderdale- by- the- Sea (LBTS) is just 7 miles north of Fort Lauderdale. The coral reef is only about ¾ mile from its shore
which allows snorklers and divers to launch their inspection right from the beach!
In 1900, a single crew cargo steamer, SS Copenhagen, bound for Havana, crashed into the reef about ¾ mile off of what
is now Lauderdale- by- the- Sea. This sunken wreckage which has become an underwater marine preserve, houses soft and hard coral, colorful
sponges, tropical fish and more. The
nearby shore location of the reef and wreck, which is in relatively shallow water of 15-30 feet, gives both snorkelers and divers access to an exploration
of the ocean world.
 |
| Gold Coast crew before a shore dive and our snorkel trip. My guide is on the far right. |
A trip to LBTS
allows an experienced diver and/or a novice to enjoy an underwater adventure. Local, Gold Coast Scuba, and South Florida Diving Headquarters, about
2 miles north in Pompano Beach, offers tours,
equipment, maps, and guides needed to “dive in”. LBTS also hosts “BugFest” (July 24-29,2018) which is an annual week
long lobster hunting festival and contest for divers.
 |
| Picture from our adventure |
My friend, who is an experienced diver, lights
up with enthusiastic speech as he tells stories about the immersive world of diving. Since
I suffer from motion sickness and a bit of claustrophobia I was even pensive about snorkeling. Our off shore snorkel guide from Gold Coast Scuba gets an "Academy Award of Patience".
She stopped, tried a flotation vest, and
offered reprieves on her buoyancy device, all in an effort to encourage my perseverance
through the rough rolling waves out to the reef. (The usual easy swim was more challenging due to the choppy waves on the day of our trip.) She was
correct, once reaching the reef, the sight of parrot fish, waving finger like coral, starfish, and even the unusual presence
of an eagle ray, distracted me enough to
put a halt to my slight hyperventilation with the tube in my mouth.
I did
not last long and I had to be a hauled to shore on her flotation device as my motion sickness
got the best of me but she got me out there. For a brief time, I forgot about
being a land dweller and I was curious to see
more of this ocean world.
 |
| South Florida Diving -Diving and Snorkel Trip |
I got my chance to see more with South Florida Diving Headquarters which
offers a dive and snorkel boat tour of the reef’s nursery and the SS Copenhagen. This trip accommodates diverse
interests by providing equipment and
guides for both divers and snorkelers. The captain kept us laughing and the crew
made sure everyone had the equipment that they needed, plenty of water, snacks
and fruit.
This time at the nursery, I focused on slow mouth tube
breathing. I was able to last several hours enjoying the colors of the hard coral,
spider like swaying seafans, and blue, yellow, and striped fish. I even spotted
a puffer fish. The ship wreckage was an eerie preservation of the past with visible bronze plaque, anchor and frame and a union with the sea as marine life overtook the structures.
 |
| My friend dove and I snorkeled with South Florida Diving |
As I watched the grace and slow motion alternating fins and bubbles of my friend while diving
and observed the flow of the marine life, I began to relax,overcome my fears, and find comfort as
an “ocean dweller”. LBTS is a great place to start some type of underwater adventure. Who knows,
maybe I will learn to dive and next year catch my first lobster at LBTS' BugFest!
 |
| Boat to Nursery and SS Copenhagen |
Spiritual Reflection