Washingtonian....

WEST VIRGINIA DOWN UNDER:

WET, WILD, AND WONDERFUL

When most people think of a scuba diving vacation, they think of heading to the warm clear waters of the Caribbean or Florida Keys. But an unusual lake in West Virginia offers great diving much closer to home.

Summersville Lake is in the center of the state's beautiful Mountain Lakes region, about 300 miles from Washington, D.C. The lake was created in 1966, when the Army Corps of Engineers built Summersville Dam, the second highest rock fill dam in the east. This engineering feat also resulted in a mecca for water lovers of all types.

Dams are typically named after the town nearest the site. However, the name of the closest town during construction was Gad and it would have been impossible to call it "Gad Dam." Thus, it's called Summersville Dam.

The dam created the sprawling 2,700-acre Summersville Lake, which is popular for all kinds of watersports. The Gauley River flows into the lake and then out again through the dam, creating legendary whitewater rafting. But the dam is also famed for creating great water for scuba diving. That's why there's Sarge's Dive Shop, one of the nation's most unique scuba diving shops on a unique lake.

The shop was the dream of Summersville Lake diving pioneer Robert Adams. A former state police officer (thus, the "Sarge" moniker), Adams opened the shop more than fifteen years ago and exposed many people to the wonders of the lake and diving. It is one of only two floating dive shops in the nation.

Two local brothers, Eric and Mark Allen, purchased the shop in 1990. Their efforts (and great diving) have drawn many to (and in) Summersville Lake. Skin Diver magazine called Summersville Lake, "the little Bahamas of the East."

Sarge's Dive Shop offers diving charter trips every day throughout the summer. They have two boats: an intimate 16-foot boat that accommodates four divers and a 32X10-foot pontoon capable of carrying 22 passengers (popular for snorkeling).

These boats can be chartered by reservation, but walk-ons are always welcome. Their two most popular dive sites are along Long Point and Bubble Cave. Long Point features towering cliffs that also reach well into the water. Bubble Cave is a grotto at about 25 feet.

Boulder fields in the river canyon and periodic water releases reduce silt in the lake and create unusually clear conditions for diving. Eric Allen says the visibility typically ranges from 30 to 40 feet. "I've been diving when I could see the hull of the boat from 60 feet below the surface," he says. The visibility can be lower on some days, but this still compares with 5 to 30 feet visibility at most dive sites near Washington, D.C.

The rock formations and water clarity aren't Summersville Lake's only advantages. There is also much marine life to be seen. Divers may see muskie, catfish, large- and small-mouth bass, crappie, walleye, sunfish, and many more. The Corps of Engineers even installed a fish attractor at Battle Run.

For those not yet certified to dive, but still wanting to explore Summersville Lake, snorkeling is offered. These trips, popular with families, include a boat ride to the same spots where they take divers.

But the best way to see Summersville Lake is with scuba gear. Sarge's Dive Shop offers dive certification classes, as well as advanced courses, search and rescue, and underwater photography.

Learning to dive is easy and well worth the time and effort. The basics of scuba diving are surprisingly simple. The entire certification process can be completed over many weeks or packed into a few days at a sunny scuba school. Sarge's has become popular for certification because students don't have to get certified in some murky quarry.

With certification card in hand, divers can see a world of West Virginia few others have seen. It's wet, wild, and wonderful down there.

Eric Allen can recommend several local accommodations options, including: the country inn atmosphere of the art deco Pence Springs Hotel (304/445-2606); nearby hotels like the Best Western (304/872-6900) or Comfort Inn (304/872-6500); the popular state facilities (800/CALL WVA) at Babcock State Park (ask about their great cabins) or Hawks Nest Park; or camping at Summersville Lake (304/872-4220). Visitors to the area should not miss the incredible Italian dining and Mama Jarroll's hospitality at nearby Country Road Inn (304/872-1620).

Sarge's Dive Shop offers full services, including snorkel trips ($20), dive charters (from $15), complete instructional courses (from $200), and equipment rentals.

For further information, contact Sarge's Dive Shop at P.O. Box 98, Summersville, WV 26651, 304/872-1782. Ask about their packages.