The Down Under Dive Club (DUDC) is located in Melbourne on the sunny east central coast of Florida. Formed in 1984 by a group of enthusiastic divers, DUDC currently has about 100 members. Our mission is to promote safe, organized dive events, provide a social setting comfortable to everyone, and encourage environmental responsibility among the diving community. Our past dives covered the Atlantic ocean, from Georgia to Bonaire. We organize all types of dives: drift dives, wreck dives, shore dives, live-aboards, spring dives, and even shark dives! Our members include a diverse group of divers. There are men, women and kids, ages from 11 to 65+ with all certification levels from new Open Water divers to Instructors.
Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7:00 PM at the Indian River Lagoon House, Located just south of University Blvd. on US1 in Melbourne. Door prizes are awarded each month and we book a fascinating assortment of guest speakers. We invite everyone interested in SCUBA diving to stop by for some stimulating conversation, meet our group, and have some fun!
Jupiter Club Dive Trip Report - June 18, 2006
Sunday, December 17 2006
Now I normally like to start off these trip reports by thanking everyone who joined us on the trip. But maybe this time I should start off with an apology, because this was the worst dive conditions I have ever seen The lucky souls on the trip were: Debi Buck (yes, she got lost driving to WPB), Russ Cook (DM from Pura Vida), Hank Green, Dale Purchase, Jeri Curley, Russell Bremmer, Kaytlin Bremmer (pictured left), Ed Jewel, Bill Young, Bill Kluender, Rick Halcomb, and myself.
The upwelling that Debi had mentioned on her prior weeks club dive in WPB was still hanging around. Water temp on top of the ledge was averaging about 70 degrees. But if you were brave enough to venture down a little further to the bottom, the temperature quickly dropped. I never stayed long enough to get a good reading, but I would estimate mid 60’s. To make matters worse, visibility was at best 10 feet, and that was only ON TOP of the ledge. Off the side of the ledge, you literally found bottom by smacking into it! And of course, mother nature was bouncing us around on the surface with 3-5 foot seas. Needless to say, it was a far cry from “ideal” dive conditions If I had been alone on this trip, it would have been the day from hell. But having eleven dive buddies from the club along for the trip made it much better. Things never seem so bad when everyone is able to laugh and joke about the situation!
Believe it or not, there was actually a positive about the trip. It was a GREAT day to practice skills. Especially your buoyancy and buddy system. If you could stay with your buddy in this mess, you did well. Of course, we had a range of different results sets. Some people got separated within minutes while others nailed it. Oh course, I would never mention any names of the people who got separated (Debi and Russ ). Matter of fact, we learned that some sea life need to do a better job on their buoyancy skills. While Dale and I are swimming along, Dale feels a bump on his side and figures another diver ran into him. But no… It is free swimming Moray Eel. How is that for a wake up call
It really was an “interesting” experience for the day. Now mind you, I’m in no hurry to re-live the experience. But I will say this – it sure got us exited about our Bonaire Trip! Mid 80’s water temp and 100+ visibility never sounded so good .
After the dive, we made our normal run over to Quarterdecks for a quick bite to eat. As always, good food – GREAT COMPANY!
Here’s to better days of diving and join us next month for our night dive in Jupiter – when is it SUPPOSE to be dark down there!
_________________ Michael Wheat Certified Dive Junkie!
Now I normally like to start off these trip reports by thanking everyone who joined us on the trip. But maybe this time I should start off with an apology, because this was the worst dive conditions I have ever seen 
The lucky souls on the trip were: Debi Buck (yes, she got lost driving to WPB), Russ Cook (DM from Pura Vida), Hank Green, Dale Purchase, Jeri Curley, Russell Bremmer, Kaytlin Bremmer (pictured left), Ed Jewel, Bill Young, Bill Kluender, Rick Halcomb, and myself. 
