JOIN THE CLUB: Taking a dive

The region’s bays and ocean depths are virtually the last mysteries on our planet but John Wilson reckons more people should plumb the unknown.
“We know more about outer space than we do about what goes on under the water,” the keen diver said.
“More than 70 per cent of Earth’s surface is covered in water but most people have no idea of what happens under the surface.”
Mr Wilson runs Bay City Scuba Dive Club and its 45 active members are regular divers, experiencing the hidden wonders of our coastline.
“In Victoria 90 per cent of the species and fish you see on a dive are endemic to this area,” he said.
“We’re fortunate to have a huge variance of species, including the most spectacular sponge gardens in the world.
“The sponge gardens don’t occur anywhere else. They’re unique to our ecosystem because it is where the temperate and cold waters meet.
“There is such a diversity of colour and types. You can see them snorkelling but the deeper you go the larger they are.
“They tend to like deep, cool water and around the 18 to 20-metre mark they are the size of cars.”
Mr Wilson said the hidden wonders of our coast were starting to be recognised nationally and internationally.
“It’s been a secret but it’s starting to gain momentum. We have people from all over who want to come here to see the sponges and see the shipwrecks.
“We have fantastic shipwrecks – from a dive perspective – within our coastlines. There are 170 known shipwrecks and 80 of them are diveable.”
Mr Wilson said he had been diving the area all his life and could still find new underwater sights.
His group is one of Geelong’s oldest diver clubs and Victoria’s most active dive group.
“We hold dives every weekend, both boat-based and from shore, and we have several arms to our club.
“There’s an underwater photography section, a section for those who like a bit of spear fishing, while some like free-diving and snorkelling.
“It’s all family-friendly – even the kids can go snorkelling. Children can learn to dive from 12 and the oldest I’ve trained was 63.”
Mr Wilson suggested anyone interested in taking up diving should learn to snorkel well first.
“A good snorkelling background makes it easier because people are already comfortable in water; it makes it more enjoyable.
“You can be under the water for up to an hour in this surreal, quiet environment. It’s a great escape from the hustle and bustle – there are certainly no mobile phones down there!
“It’s fun, it’s healthy, it gets people active and you can see what’s happening in our environment, you see the rubbish and it makes you think twice about what you’re doing.
Mr Wilson said anyone interested in joining the club could email him on info@baycityscuba.com or phone 5248 1400.