Lake Zürich's Hidden Depths: My Winter Dive at Terlinden

As I descended into the chilly waters of Lake Zürich at Terlinden, the rain pattering on the surface above, I couldn't help but smile – this was going to be an interesting dive. At 20°C air temperature, the weather was manageable, but the 9°C water reminded me why proper gear choices matter so much in Swiss lakes.

Equipped with my trusty 7mm wetsuit, complete with an Icewest, hood, gloves, and boots, I began my exploration. While my setup provided decent protection, I found myself thinking about investing in a semidry suit for future cold-water adventures – sometimes you learn these lessons the hard way!

The dive itself was remarkably peaceful. My dive computer showed we maintained a comfortable depth of 23 meters, and with a bottom time of 48 minutes, I had plenty of time to observe the local aquatic life. The visibility was regular for Lake Zürich, allowing me to spot several curious crabs scuttling across the bottom, along with schools of whitefish and perch going about their daily routines.

Air consumption stayed efficient throughout the dive, starting with a full 240 bar tank. I've found that staying calm in cold water really helps manage air consumption – something I track meticulously in my Octologs app. It's fascinating to see how my air consumption patterns change between warm and cold water dives!

Quick Stats from My Dive Log:

• Depth: 23m

• Bottom Time: 48min

• Starting Pressure: 240 bar

• Water Temp: 9°C

• Air Temp: 20°C

• Conditions: Rainy but calm

Despite the chill, the dive site offered that characteristic Swiss lake serenity that keeps drawing me back. There's something special about diving in waters where visibility might not match tropical destinations, but the tranquility is unmatched.

Looking back at my logged dive details, I'm already planning my next visit – though perhaps with upgraded thermal protection! For fellow divers planning to explore Terlinden, I'd definitely recommend bringing adequate exposure protection, especially during the cooler months.

Want to plan your own dive at Terlinden? I've marked the exact GPS location and conditions in my Octologs digital logbook. Feel free to connect with me through the app – I'm always happy to share more detailed insights about Swiss dive spots with fellow enthusiasts!

Tip: Tracking your dives digitally makes it easier to plan return visits and share locations with buddy divers. I log all my adventures using Octologs – try it free and see how it transforms your diving journey!