Page 14 - pākuViews Autumn/Winter 2013

12 PAKU VIEWS ISSUE 7 AUTUMN/WINTER 2013
BREATHE IN
THE BEAUTY
OF LENS REEF
Just fifteen kilometres east of Tairua are some of the best dive
sites in NZ. These reefs and islands surrounding the Aldermens
are a diver’s wonderland. Known as the Poor Knights of the
Coromandel, the area’s superb visibility magnify the sights
of intriguing rock formations such as canyons, caves and
underwater pinnacles. One pinnacle located SE of the islands
is Lens Reef. Teaming with underwater wildlife, Lens Reef rises
from a depth of 70m to just 8m below the surface in what looks at
first like open ocean – its top no larger than your home’s lounge.
As you descend into the blue you are already surrounded by a myriad
of fish, and the dive has begun before you have even equalised! At the
8-10m mark you are on the top of the pinnacle which is a kaleidoscope
of colour from the encrusting sponge and anemones, working your way
down you are spoilt for which direction to look to next, 360 degrees of
stunning life surrounds you from the critters and corals of the pinnacle
wall to the abundant fish life swimming around you. The usual wrasse,
damoiselles and maomao come in for a closer inspection with schools
of larger fish and the predator fish more interested in a feed than you!
Having reached your planned depth you fossick around on the wall
sighting nudibrach and moray eels, all the while keeping an eye out
for the unexpected surprise of dolphin, kingfish sting ray or even a
passing turtle. Reluctantly ascending for a safety stop, the show is by
no means over, breathe calm and suck in the beauty of this dive site,
feeling honoured to have witnessed nature at its most breathtaking!
Let Mike and Alex Harris help plan your next dive trip. Also book
accommodation on the historic “SS Ngoiro” (see ad p26).
Open seven days, they’re located on the water at the base of Paku.
Ring or stop by now, 864 8800.
- Dive trips
- Dive courses
- Dive equipment
- Air fills
- Hire geAr
- equipment servicing
- BAit AnD Berley
- cHAnDelry
- fisHing geAr
- KAyAK Hire
7 The Esplanade, Paku Boat Ramp, Tairua
P: 07 864 8800 M: 021 1457 365
E: info@divezonetairua.co.nz
Who’s this legendary dreamer that Russell George admired so much?
Kelly Tarlton, a name synonymous with the “number 8 wire attitude”,
not only chased dreams, he landed them.
And last November, this renowned Kiwi marine conservationist was
recognised with a posthumous induction into the International Scuba Diving
Hall of Fame, joining the likes of Jacques Cousteau. It was the Cousteau film
Silent World that motivated Tarlton to make his mark under the sea. Tarlton
was so early on the scene that he had to improvise much of his own scuba
and camera gear.
Kelly started a commercial diving company and his underwater exploits were
epic. Particularly shipwrecks. Discovering them. Exploring them. And yes,
finding the treasure! When diving the remains of the passenger steamer,
Elingamite, wrecked off the Three Kings Islands in 1902, and the Tasmania,
which sank near Gisborne in 1897, Tarlton painstakingly recovered rare coins
and jewellery (valued in excess of $300,000 in the 1960s – spoils worth over
2 million today). Other famous shipwrecks included the sailing ship Boyd at
Whangaroa Harbour and steamship Tasmania off Mahia Peninsula.
These finds led Kelly to establish the ‘Museum of Shipwrecks’ in the 1970s
inside the old Chelsea “Sugar Boat”, the Tui, in the Bay of Islands. A super,
glass-covered vault was installed in the museum to display his collection,
however, it was not enough to protect it. Stolen by convicted kitchenhand
Keith McEwen in 2000, the loot was never recovered. To add insult to injury,
the insurance refused to cover the losses, as the crime was committed by an
employee. This eventually led Tarlton’s wife Rosemary to close the museum
two years later. Alas, drama and intrigue followed Tarlton even after his death.
Tarlton is not only famous for his many sea adventures, but for founding
“Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World” in Auckland where he envisioned and
developed the world’s first curved acrylic viewing tunnel. The aquarium
opened in 1985. Tragically, he was to die a few months later, at the young
age of 57, still fullfilling his dreams. The subsequent owners of the now
called “Sea Life Aquarium” have kept Tarlton’s dream alive and vital, with
many innovative expansions, including a penguin compound and shark dive
experience. Over 12 million visitors have since enjoyed his legacy.
Grandson Tane Tarlton says, “I can’t believe all the things my granddad
achieved. I already go diving whenever I can and I really love exploring the
ocean like he did”. The 11-year-old prepares to follow in his grandfather’s
footsteps as leader of the ‘Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium Young Explorer
Programme’, which encourages children to learn about and get involved with
marine conservation.
Two books have been written about Kelly, “Throw Me the Wreck Johnny:
Memories of Kelly Tarlton” by Steve Locker-Lampson and “Kelly: The
Adventurous Life of Kelly Tarlton” by E. V. Sale. Google Kelly Tarlton’s
name and you’ll find no end of stories, interviews, and links to the results
of his dreams.
Grandson Tane Tarlton carries on the
dream, an active part of Kelly Tarlton’s
Sea Life Aquarium.
Tarlton was so early on
the scuba scene, he
often improvised and
created his own scuba
and camera gear.
Kelly Tarlton:
His dreams and
adventures, his
treasures & legacy