A DIVE EVOLUTION IN BRISBANE

One of the newest dive shops in Brisbane is Dive Evolution at Tingalpa. Although opened seven years ago by Wally Lancaster, the dive shop has undergone a bit of an evolution over that time; from being only a dive gear wholesaler for four years to a dive shop, plus a recent name change from Beuchat Dive Centre to Dive Evolution.
    The dive shop is one of the largest in Brisbane; its small retail shop out front may give the impression it is a small operation, but out back is a large warehouse with gear hire, work shop, classroom and dive gear washing facilities. The shop is stocked with TUSA and Waterproof Wetsuits and they are the importers of the Atomic Aquatics range of dive gear.
    Dive Evolution is a PADI dive centre and offers a wide range of courses. Wally is a Master Scuba Instructor with recreational and commercial diving qualifications, and although offering all the regular dive courses, he likes to combine his skills and energy into the courses to better train students, especially when it comes to navigation, search and recovery and other speciality courses. Wally also likes to keep classes small, sticking to his motto of personalised service, and runs all the dive courses and guides all dives himself.
    Located only five minutes from Manly boat harbour, Dive Evolution have their own charter boat MV Beuchat, an 8m Sterncraft surveyed for eight divers and two crew. Though only small, it is a very comfortable dive boat, with onboard toilet, and cruises across Moreton Bay at 28 knots, giving fast access to the wonderful dive sites around Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island .
    I joined the crew from Dive Evolution for a recent trip out to Straddy and had a great half day adventure. Arriving at the dive shop at 7am, the boat was located behind the shop so all the gear could be sorted and loaded on site. We then jumped into the troop carrier and headed down to Manly boat harbour to launch the vessel.
    Skipper Reece quickly had the boat in the water and we were soon underway scooting across the calm waters of the bay. Forty minutes later found us anchored at Flat Rock at a site known as Shark Alley. Diving in June the grey nurse sharks had arrived for their annual Queensland holiday and we were all keen for a close encounter. Exploring the gutters and walls at the site we encountered around ten grey nurse; plus turtles, gropers, wobbies, anemonefish, nudies, reef fish and a spotted eagle ray. The visibility was a lovely 20m and the water temperature a comfortable 19°C.
    Between dives the buns came out, both savoury and sweet, and tea, coffee and the very popular hot chocolate were enjoyed by all onboard. We then did our second dive as a drift, from the coral gardens on the western side of Flat Rock back to Shark Alley. This dive was just wonderful – pretty corals, a dozen turtles, abundant reef fish, lots of wobbies and we ended the dive watching the grey nurse sharks again. During the dive we were serenaded by humpback whales, that we later saw on the surface.
    It was a wonderful half day of diving on MV Beuchat with us back at the dive shop by 1pm. We could then wash the dive gear, have a hot shower and there is even hanging space to dry your dive gear if diving with Dive Evolution for a couple of days.
    MV Beuchat explores Moreton Bay each weekend and every Thursday, but is available other week days on demand. Wally is also in the process of getting a larger dive boat, but informed me that it will not take many more divers, but is mainly for more space and comfort. If you are a local or just visiting Brisbane give Dive Evolution a go and explore the wonderful Moreton Bay Marine Park .

For more information visit – DIVE EVOLUTION

Article appeared in Dive Log No.266 September 2010