Underwater Bicycle Racing

By Dale A. Hansen

 Discovery Diving, Beaufort North Carolina

It’s one thing to ride bicycle or even race a bicycle, but race a bicycle underwater with scuba equipment on? Oh please, you have got to be kidding….Well get this…..

The 10th annual underwater bicycle race was held on July 4, 2004 on the shipwreck U. S. S. Indra by Discovery Diving located in Beaufort North Carolina. All race participants had to attend an orientation brief where they were given boat assignments. The Outrageous V and the SeaQuest II, two of Discovery’s dive Charter Boats, brought the scuba divers and bicycles to the dive site about 30 minutes offshore.

With the brief complete and details of the race known, 28 divers prepared their scuba equipment and moved on board the two dive boats.  It was a beautiful late afternoon boat ride with a gentle breeze and warm sunshine.

Approaching the dive site each diver donned their scuba gear. Everyone talked of different strategies to win the underwater bicycle race. But then there were many questions. How would you peddle the bicycle with your fins on? Which bicycle would be the best one to ride? The Outrageous V and the SeaQuest II tied into the Indra wreck site and the bicycles were dropped into the water on the port (left) side of the dive site wreck. The divers quickly moved into the water and found their bicycle of choice. Underwater visibility was 40 feet and the temperature of the water was 78 degrees.

Debby Boyce, owner of discovery diving, lined up the race participants and signaled the race to begin toward the stern (rear) of the shipwreck Indra. The scuba divers were teenagers to adults, men and women and ranged in age from approximately 16 to 50. The scuba divers peddled, kicked and swam to the finish line. Debby was there to judge the winner and recognize divers for their efforts in several categories.

With the race complete the divers returned to the charter boats. They relaxed to a setting sun on the ride back to the dive shop for recognition and prizes. Padi recognized all the participants with a red dive cap.

“I was looking for something interesting for scuba divers to do during the summer where they could dive, socialize, relax and have a good time”, says Debby. “It has been a huge success and we look forward to doing it again next year”. “The bicycles stay at the Indra and are available to all scuba divers during the year.”