Looking for off-the-beaten track dive locals near ohio

[megsc]

I know most of the main quarries in and around ohio, but does anyone have any insight to some "hidden" dive places around Ohio? I love exploring and I don't mind traveling, but with work it can be a bit crazy to get away. Thanks for the help.roflmao

[pennypue]

:wavey: Hi Meg!!!
I'm down here in Cincy. But I grew up in Strongsville!!! (My parents are still there.)

If I were you, I'd try that really small, obscure dive locale called Lake Erie. :Droflmao

Actually, there's a place called Union Lake in Michigan that sounds quite interesting.

[Mrs.Prages]

There is a small quarry in Lancaster OH. It is in a little campground, I can't remember the name, I'll check my log book and write it later, but the campground has a website and does advertise it's scuba park on it. The compresor does not have a bank, so I would take the gas you want.

I've been there once. It does have stuff in it. Cars, boats etc... I'm even told there is a plane, but I haven't spotted it yet. All the sights are roped witha guideline so they are easy to follow around the quarry, it is pretty tiny, but worth the dive if you are in the area and looking to get wet.

Also, I go to Sutton Lake in WV quite a lot. It has nice crystal blue water if the rain hasn't been pouring up North too much. I haven't been in about a month, but the Marina at the Bee Run Dock has called me and told me they put in a compressor and sunk a boat to dive on. I have to check that out soon.

Summersville Lake in WV also has some nice little diving holes if you are in that area.

[wb416]

I consider Nelson's Ledges to be off the beaten path. I've only been there once and it was okay.... I think there are folks in the NE area that go there. You may have already as well. It's certainly not worth the drive for anyone in the rest of the state though.... but then I might be partially biased. When I was there, it was Earth Day 2002 and there were over 1000 pot-smoking hippies running around..... and I still can't get the word "duuuuuuuuude" out of my head.

[megsc]

Thanks for all the advice. I am an instructor and I hate having to send everyone on a two hour tour and although Lake Erie is right next to me, it's not very gracious to newbe divers. I was hoping maybe someone has access to an oasis that they wouldn't mind sharing (even for a nominal membership). Keep blowing bubbles out of your orafice!!!;)

[BP49]

I have not had a chance to dive this site yet so I can not give any feed back on it. It is my understanding that they just opened for business and are still working out the details. Good Luck

http://divemonroe.com/directions.html

[pennypue]

Ah, for students....yeah, Lake Erie might not be the best option, yet. :)

I do remember a quarry near Strongsville (where I grew up) that was used for swimming in the summer. I wonder if it's divable and if they'd let you. I only went once (had a pool in the backyard). I remember that the water was a nice bluegreen, but that could have been dye too.

[osprey jr]

Ah, for students....yeah, Lake Erie might not be the best option, yet. :)



I'd say quite the opposite. If you can dive the lakes, (Erie in particular with it's silty bottom and sometimes questionable viz) you can dive anywhere. The best divers I know cut their teeth diving the great lakes.

Now, if someone only wishes to be a warm water pretty fish diver, then you're probably right, they should do all their training in a pool, and never meet the challenges of less than ideal conditions.

[pennypue]

I'd say quite the opposite. If you can dive the lakes, (Erie in particular with it's silty bottom and sometimes questionable viz) you can dive anywhere. The best divers I know cut their teeth diving the great lakes.

Now, if someone only wishes to be a warm water pretty fish diver, then you're probably right, they should do all their training in a pool, and never meet the challenges of less than ideal conditions.Yes, cutting their teeth, but what if they're just starting to nurse?? I still think that their first OW dives without an instructor should be in more familiar and controlled circumstances.

That's why the YET, was in my statement.:)