Yesterday we had two games. (note we are playing on the New Jersey Team)
Game 1
Castores 3 / New Jersey 0
The Castores (Spanish for the Beavers) are the home team.
Game 2
Leones 6 / New Jersey 2
The Leones (Spanish for Lions) were a fast team.
Outside Simon Bolivar Pool
The first practices at the pool have been eye opening. We have been shown a basic techniques that I think will raise our play to the next level. We are making notes to hopefully pass this on to our club members back home.
The pool facility is beautiful with the Mountains in the background. The water is 28 deg. C and crystal clear. The air temperature and breeze is a real problem for people when they get out of the pool. Some team members are using space blankets to keep warm when the sub out. The change rooms are very small for such a large facility. Yes, being at an altitude of 2640 m does effect the recovery breathing.
Before leaving on this trip we spent time looking into what we should see while in Bogota. With our team mate Rolexi (he grew up in Bogota) guiding us we visited The Candelaria. A famous part of the city with a great history. Highlights of the Candelaria that we say were.
Many small coblestone streets
The birth place of Bogota
The Botero Art Gallery
The Mint Museum
Mexican Cultural Centre
Parliament Buildings
presidential Palace
Several Churches in different architectual styles including the famous Catedral Primada seen in the image below.
Shopping plaza
Traffic is wild and chaotic and downright scary. We opted for Taxis and walking to get around. Only one out of 6 taxis so far had seat belts available in the rear seats. One cab that seemed like he was on a suicide mission and then tried to rip us off. So 11 out of 12 drivers have been good. The pollution from cars is especially strong during rush hour. We can feel the burn in our throats.
Armed with the knowledge from the trip with Rolexi, Gord and I visited the Gold museum (a must see for $2).
Below is a picture of Gord and I at the Mexican Culture Centre with the mountains in the backgroud.
Inside Catedral Primada
…Well, I know it’s been almost 2 months by now, but then again – it is about time to refresh our memories amidst rainy days here in Toronto or Montreal. Hey, Vancouver, is it raining there too? Anyhow, sorry for the delay, but here it is – short Video essay of our GREAT TIME in Vancouver in August of 2010!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEn7jTVbKnY]
Tobermory part II. The second offical Tobermory trip of the year and the last Tobermory trip for 2010 for the FreediveToronto Group. The weather just didn’t want to co-operate causing serveral people to decide it wasn’t going to be for them. Three of us decided that we didn’t want to waste an oportunity to get out of the city and have a little fun. The waves were too big for a long trek along the coast but it certainly made for some interesting video.
I hope that the weather is better for next year.
If you like the music it is from a band called “Prince Perry and the Gladtones” (PrincePerry.com). Perry is a long time friend of the Freedive Comunity and he agreeded to let me use the music in this video.
Enjoy!
[YouTube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1ZhZ7KtnUo]
After 2 months of planing and preparations, in collaboration with surprisingly warm waters of Lake Ontario and made-to-order weather, it took on September 18, 2010 right here in Toronto.
4 athletes competed in various disciplines. For some it was the very first freediving competition, for others – good opportunity to hone some skills, for organizers and support team – good starting point in preparation for the next year official AIDA Canada National Depth competition.
Despite minor glitches, it all went smooth and had become a memorable milestone for our club!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBgIS9cn9ag&fs=1&hl=en_US]
Great friends, food and music.
Just to take a break and dry out we climbed the Chief. Half way between Vancouver and Whistler along the Sea to Sky highway the Chief climbs 550m. Total round trip time 5 hours. Great workout on a beautiful day. Happy to share a couple of pictures with friends.
Three of us went for a very nice dive on a wreck just outside Toronto Harbour. Information about the wreck can be found here: http://www.scubatoronto.com/divesites.asp?siteID=9
The top of The Southern Trail is in 6 meters of water and the bottom is at 10 meters, so this is a great dive for everyone. The wreck is sitting just like the dive site pictures and it is possible to swim under the overhang shown on the drawing and penetrate the ship.
We had a great night with no waves, no wind and fairly warm water for Lake Ontario.
Saturday started with dark grey sky and heavy rain, which stopped only at around 9 am. First 2 dives were from the shore. Temp varied from “almost balmy” 18C on the surface to not so hot 12-14C at depth. My 5 mil Elios did very well and it was more the enough to stay in water for a long time. Feet would need some extra protection though. We checked Little Tub in the morning and Lighthouse point mid day where fog was setting pretty heavy at times, so we were not sure if boat trip was indeed happening, but at ~3pm Francois got a call from boat operator and we headed out off shore to check on 2 wrecks at 4 pm. First one was JAMES C. KING at Depth: 7 to 30 m and second – HILO SCOVILLE Depth: 7 to 30 m. Both are listed as “recommended for advanced divers only”. Visibility was pretty good, at least 10-12 m, and when sun showed up it became even better. Skies cleared up completely by the end of our boat excursion with picture perfect sunset to enjoy.
I was not diving on Sunday, but pretty sure everybody had a great time at Grotto. Looking forward to do this again (and again, and again!)
