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Clubflat in Australia & New Zealand 2009

 


 

It wouldn't be right to go to Australia without doing some diving.  However 3 shark attacks had already occurred in the first week alone with two of them by a bull shark resulting in the loss of a hand each time, so this could be scary.  Hero's big dive knife was going down there with him, that's for sure.  The dive site at Byron Bay was the Julian Rocks which are a little treasure trove for divers.  Clubflat's dived in Mexico, Portugal and many other places, but never have we seen as much variation of sea life as here.  2-3m Wobbegong sharks were everywhere.  Plenty of octopus too and we actually saw two of them mating!  Also big blue groper fish, weird little bright orange anglerfish, crayfish, the venomous lion fish, large moray eels and so much more.  This was a boat dive from the smallest boat yet!  A Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) from which you entered the water backwards off the side like a navy seal!  That's the great thing about diving, especially abroad - the experience is always different!  The RIB was powered expertly through the waves by boat captain Jy, who had what can only be described as 'comedy hair'. The dive school Sundive, www.sundive.com.au, were extremely professional and a great bunch of people to dive with.  If you're around the Gold Coast, the Julian Rocks are definitely the best place to dive and we'd recommend Sundive for sure.  Hell, Formula 1 drive Jenson Button trained with them in 2008 so that's good enough for us!  See www.julianrocks.net for an overview of the amazing sea life at this dive site and prepare to be amazed.

 

With 40 degrees heat, it really was a Sundive

Boat captain Jy had a nasty accident with a plug socket and some water

Divemaster Phil led the first dive

English, French and Scottish, all wanted to be on Clubflat

The placing of the Clubflat card was surely no mistake!

Diving with your partner was the ultimate meaning of trust

The lighthouse at Byron Bay marks the most easterly point of Australia

"Are you f**kers going to give me a hand or what?"

Ozzie babes weren't afraid of the sea, they even blooming surf

Sundive treated us to a James Bond style boat chase

Would you go in the water after seeing this on the way out?

Julian Rocks ain't much to look at but it's what's beneath that matters

Clubflat, Sundive know where it's at!

Already a 2.5m Wobbegong shark is Clubflatted

A smaller species of Wobbegong is introduced to Clubflat

Eel pops it's head up to see what all the fuss it about

Blue groper was a natural poser for the camera - like Hero

Clubflat in de coral

Weird angler fish looks a mean little dude

"Piss off Hero you're ruining my camoflage"

A card was left for when the octopus came out it's lair

A 2m Wobbegong tries to hide from Clubflat on the sea bed

"Look what I found"

Puffer fish looked a bit girly with those big lips and eyes

Moray eel looks like a sock puppet

"Have they gone, is it safe to come out?"

Lingering groper was camera shy

No matter where the fish hid, they got Clubflatted

A large breakfast made Hero sink to the bottom

Wobbegong is almost invisible

Jy keeps watch for any seagulls looking to nest on his head

View from the approaching sharks perspective

 

Male octopus swims away...

...Closely followed by the nagging female

Gotcha! His fun time's over as she drags him about for some nookie

Phil from Sundive knew where to spot all the best sea life

Starfish practices an Egyptian dance

News had quickly spread to all the sea life that Clubflat were here

No idea what this is but it got Clubflatted anyway

Big crayfish hides under the rocks

Venomous lion fish casually appears out of no-where

Lion fish floats around slowly, knowing he's not going to be messed with

Spot the camouflaged Wobbegong

 

Someone had been dropping litter again

Sea snake worms its way through the coral

Yet another species of Wobbegong shark

Hopefully it won't notice the card about to be planted on its back

The RIB gets loaded back on the trailer

Rare tanned sea-muffin was found washed up on Byron beach

Jy was a good bloke and proud of his boat