Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Vegas ...and I will be eager to read how your dives go this weekend, Dalehall!. |
The weekend was good and I have a new dive buddy. My co-worker, Sid passed his O/W check out with no problems. And I have my first trip as a Divemaster Candidate under my belt.
We had a class of 20 people. 10 from Macon and 10 from Atlanta. Steve (my mentor and Instructor) and I had the Macon folks and the other Instructor/DM had the ATL folks.
Saturday was Blue Grotto.. We split our folks into two groups of 5. Group one came down and we did Dive 1 with them. Then, we floated at the surface for 10 minutes and then did dive two with them. After group one went back up top, group two came down and we did the same with them. Between the times of Group 1 and 2, Steve and I headed down to Peace Rock (only 60 foot deep here). We took a few pictures and saw the monster catfish about 25 feet below us. As we headed up to meet Group 2, Steve asked if I wanted to go in the Talk Box, but since I had already been in one before (Vortex) and there were 3 or 4 other people in there, I passed on it.
After group 2 finished Dive # 2 and we were waiting on group one for Dive # 3, I was getting low on air. Steve was wearing “The Beast” (a HP 119) so he was fine. I exited out and went up to get refilled. (If you have never been to Blue Grotto, there about a MILLION stairs you have to climb to get out of the sink) Steve wanted a spare tank, so while mine was getting refilled, I walked back down the stairs and put a spare tank on the dock. I went back up the stairs, got my tank, took it over, re-kitted and went back down to the dock. When I got down there, I remembered, for some reason, I had taken my fins topside and they were still up there by the van..
So I went BACK up the stairs to our area got my fins and went back down. I was BEAT!!! We did dive 3 with both groups and then exited for the day.
Since they changed the 2nd day’s venue at the last moment because of the sheer number of students, they didn’t change the accommodations. So, we headed to Crystal River to stay for the night. Crackers, baby. Good eatin’ at that joint!!! The next morning, we met at 0800 and headed out to Troy Springs. We got there, got the briefings and kitted up.. We all got in the water.. The groups for Steve and I only had to do BCD remove and replace at the surface, weight belt remove and replce at the surface and then mask removal and hover at depth. Steve took group one to depth while I had group two at the surface. Everyone did what they needed (for the most part) then we switched groups. Sid was in group one and wore an integrated system, so all he had to do was BCD removal/replacement. He did it and was the first certified student from the class. After everyone else did it, congrats all around and then everyone could use the rest of their tanks as their first dive as a certified diver. Of course, Sid and I buddied up and we headed down the slope. We got to about 60 feet and then I headed to the bottom (which was only 68 feet on this day) to check out the outflows. We took some pictures and swam around. Sid was low on air so we did our safety stop and then he surfaced while I went back down to get a few more shots. I busted 50 foot again, so I had to do a second safety stop according to my computer. When I was done, I was the last to get out of the water. I surfaced, got out, took some topside pics and then headed to the parking lot to get changed. Note: It is 175 steps from the start of the ramp to the end of the pier at Troy. But, the grade is so slow, it’s much easier than going up and down Blue Grotto. But it’s still one heck of trek after diving.. We all got dried off, took group pics and got loaded up. We were back at out LDS about 1715.
Good trip.. I want to go back to Blue Grotto at least once so I can go past Peace Rock and see the cavern. But, since it’s 38 bucks to dive, once will be enough.
Honestly, Troy Springs, even for only 10 bucks, once is enough there. We didn’t even go to the Civil War “wreck.” The instructors didn’t want Students going there, so none of us went. Morrison has more to offer than Troy and it’s free.
The Dragon hood was a hit with everyone and I even had multiple requests for the maker's webpage address.
All in all, I got wet, logged another 7 dives, and got a new dive buddy, so it was a great weekend.
*chirp*... *chirp* 
Y'all have agreat weekend and I hope you all get to blow some bubbles.
..... I do. ..... I Enjoy it.
Linear Mode
