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BaikalTek News

In May 2013 BaikalTek’s trimix divers made several trial dives to depths up to 100 meters at water temperature of +2 degrees. Warm under-garments and electric heating wear from YellowDiving helped us to keep warm. We started to use this electric heating gear during Ice Jeep Diving safaris in 2013 and continue to use them during deep dives in cold water. We highly recommend them.

BaikalTek’s Cave Week took place from 24^th to 31^st of May, when cave instructor Gennady Misan trained new cave divers: T. Kretova, R. Zaytsev, G. Sobolev, A. Fedorin, all received qualification Cavern Diver. Ordynskaya Cave with its dry hall and air bubbles allows to carry out this course even when there is no day light. I. Koshelev, S. Mordashov received levels Cavern Diver and Intro to Cave Diver. R. Vitovtov and A. Kuzyaev received Full Cave Diver certification.

In the beginning of June took place first BaikalTek’s club safari aboard ship “Valery”. The participants from Irkutsk were: Y. Ayzina, O Suppes, N. Chemeris, V. Yaroshenko, O. Kadochnokova and S. Kadochnokov, additionally we were joined by E. Fetisova from Ulan Ude and O. Baynova, O. Bayanov, G. Lopatov from Novosibirsk.

Meanwhile BaikalTek’s training program progressed according to plan – we started courses Intro to Tech, Advanced Nitrox and Sidemount. A. Makeev completed Nitrox course. M. Berngard completed packaged courses Advanced Nitrox IANTD + Entry Level Trimix Diver TDI.

July started with another safari at Baikal aboard “Valery”, this time following “Olkhon Safari” route. Safari was attended by a group of divers from Barnaul’s diving club “ Altaydiver”, headed by instructors CMAS S. Kabaev and O.Avdeeva. Participants really enjoyed diving at Bolshie Koty, East Olkhon, Maloe More, Birkhin and Circum-Baikal Railway. 18 dives were completed in 6 days. Trimix diver from Barnaul A. Surkov, arrived in Listvyanka ahead of safari and completed a series of dives to 45, 55 and 70 meters. On the first day of safari, together with instructor Gennady Misan he made a 100-meter dive along the wall at dive site Varnachka. Then Alexander also completed normoxic trimix dives at sites Uhan-Burun-Kugun, Zyun-Buhe, Izhimei, Sobolev and others.

Traditional Baikal week of technical diving took place from July 27^th to August 4^th. Unfortunately, guests from other clubs could not attend during selected dates, but BaikalTek’s own divers held the fort. During that week we took rides to Baikal’s best sites and made some dives in Listvyanka. During the technical week V. Yaroshenko made his deepest dive to 130 meters at site Baranchiki. Tatyana Oparina repeated her own and record among women with a dive in cold water to 140 meters at site Varnachka. E. Boyarintseva completed Trimix course with a dive to 90 meters at site Baranchik”. M. Berngard dove down to 60 meters at site “Metal stairs”. The following people continued their training during the technical diving week: A. Pupikin, A. Nasedkin, D. Rogovoy – Normoxic Trimix, O. Suppes and N. Chemeris - Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures in Sidemount configuration. O. Vinogradov – Advanced nitrox and Decompression Procedures. Technical diving week finished with a dive near docks of village Tankhoi. In the beginning of 20^th century the biggest ice-breaker vessel of the time “Baikal” lost a screw when leaving the deck, that screw was 8 meters in diameter! It fell somewhere along the slopes next to the deck and we have made search dives at depths from 30 to 75 meters. We have explored a big area, however had no luck finding the screw this time, so more search activities are planned for the future.

August is characterized by cold water and great visibility at the southern part of Baikal (around Bolshie Koty, Listvyanka, and Circum-Baikal Railway), that is something that visiting and local divers gladly take advantage of. R. Vitovtov and Kemerovo club “Nayada” took a few days to dive around Baikal. Roman also made a few deep dives to depths of 60, 80 and 90 meters. During one of the dives at 60 meters he was lucky to get an opportunity to swim with Baikal nerpa. M. Pervushin instructor and owner of Novosibirsk club with Baikal-themed name “Nerpa” made a few dives in Listvyanka as part of master class from Gennady Misan on deep diving in cold water. Several training dives were made at low depths, followed by dives to 70, 80 and 90 meters. A. Pupikin, A. Nasedkin, D. Rogovoy – Normoxic Trimix completed Normoxic Trimix with dives at 60 and 10 meters. In August another safari took place aboard “Myth” with a group from St. Petersburg’s club ‘Nereis” headed by A. Vlasova. From BaikalTek safari was led by dive-master A. Bormotov.

On the 7^th and 8^th of September we had test dives using unique hybrid dry suit Waterproof D1 Hybrid with built-in 3D net lining. The event was organized by us based on request and support from company “Waterproof”. Representative from “Waterproof Sverkel Palmblad” briefed divers about constructional specs, technical characteristics and advantages of the suit. About 40 test dives were made, lasting from 30 to 70 minutes at various depths, both recreational and technical, including decompression dive to depth of 55 meters with time at bottom of 15 minutes. At the end of each test day over a cup of tea divers shared with each other and Waterproof rep their impressions of diving in D1 Hybrid suit. Impex together with Waterproof expressed gratitude to BaikalTek for active and interested divers and great event organization!

Traditional safari “Golden fall” took place from 15^th to 26^th of September. Despite being “traditional” this safari was special – because it almost followed the route of our another safari ‘Round the world”, and covered almost entire Baikal. “Golden Fall” safari is very popular with photographers because of bright colors of the season and at the same time good visibility in rather warm water. Swiss photographer Michel Roggo learned scuba diving in dry suit especially to join this safari. With his “rich” experience of 10 dives he made twice that many at Baikal and most importantly took a great photos of Baikal sponge. They were quite unusual because were taken without a flash, using only natural light glares. He used latest Sony Next 7 as his equipment, which is called “glare killer”, and “fish-eye” lens. This safari was also joined by O. Kamenskaya, who expended her amazing collection of Baikal photography. Olga is expecting to have new exhibits and photo-albums based on “Golden Fall” safari materials.

In October we had another trip for cave course at Ordynskaya Cave. Courses were taught by Gennady Misan and by now are a tradition at Ordynskaya, held twice a year – in the fall and spring, and joined by participants form all over Russia and foreign guests. This time participants came from Irkutsk, Moscow, Pavlovo and Perm.

Right after Ordynskaya we flew to Tahiti (27.10 – 13.11). There we tried quite good local wine, almost of French quality, after all Tahiti is called French Polynesia. Of course the goal of our trip was not food and wine, but lagoon islands Rangiroa and Tikehau. They have passage-straights for great diving, with bunt of colors and strong currents. There we saw lots of fishes, sharks, dolphins, tortoises and skates.

In the beginning of December we had another one of our regular safaris – Polar Diving at Baikal. Among the participants were divers and instructors from Russia and Ukraine. We followed the route from Listvyanka to Bolshie Koty and to Circum-Baikal Railway. During safari team led by O. Istratova (Sevastopol) made two deep dives on trimix. BaikalTek’s instructor Tatyana Oparina made a dive to 150 meters, setting a record of diving in cold water among women. The temperature was 4 degrees. Preparing for this dive Gennady Misan and Tatyana Oparina made test dives to 110 and 145 meters.

Soon we will be greeting in 2014. BaikalTek is planning to celebrate New Year underwater at depths from 10 to 100 meters. Join us! Fun is guaranteed. 

We also have an underwater artist.