Hi all!
We decided to finally do the Aquarena Dive Authorization Course this summer and are looking to get into the July 10-11 class. My son and I know spring diving pretty well (many, many dives in Florida) and both are PADI Advanced, but can someone give us a rundown of the syllabus and schedule, something of a spoiler for the class?
My son will be driving down from UT (the Bobcats will be OK with that, won't they?) and I'll be flying in from Beaumont.
Hints on places to stay, parking, "be sure to bring a ..." would be most welcome!
TIA
The thing that most people have problems with is being geared up for 72 degree water and not being able to get deep enough for your suit to compress. Having a lot of time in Florida's springs will be a big help to you and your son. Both are very similar limestone karst aquifers.
Most people don't have a problem with the obstacle course. Just go slow square up, and keep low going through one of the three rings.
Since it doesn't get dark till around 9pm, think of your "night dive" as an evening dive. Personally, I would try to be with the last group. You will have a more relaxed dive without another group pushing you out of one area and into another. Keep close watch on the diver leading your group. If you do get separated from your group, stay where you are, your dive leader will come back and find you. There was one poor soul who got completely lost and ended up at the restaurant at the south end of the lake by the dam. He did not pass the course.
Some specific things to look for/do on your orientation dive.
First, when you get to Deep Hole, spend some time looking deep into the high pressure springs with your light. If you are very lucky, you might see a fresh water prawn getting ready to come out for its night feeding.
Second, there is not much to see at Arch Site but when you leave there you will pass by an old dock on your way to Catfish Hotel. It is always worth a quick look under the dock.
Third, your next stop will be Catfish Hotel. When you enter CH from AS there is a big boulder on your left. This is another spot to look under and see what is hiding there.
Fourth, the best thing to do in Riverbed is to focus on the midwater area and see if there are any spotted gar cruising around.
Be careful to keep your fins out of the mud in Ossified Forrest. That place silts up in a heartbeat.
Finally when you hit Cream of Wheat, be sure to find a large spring and see how far you can put your hand in it and that should cover your first orientation dive.
On your Sunday morning dive, try to get assigned Catfish Hotel. CH is my favorite site in the lake. You get to tour Cream of Wheat, Ossified Forrest and Riverbed getting there. While you are working in CH, you have a lot of low pressure springs and the entire west bank is made up of rocks with lots of hiding places for critters.
Have fun with the class and let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Lots of folks on here dive there fairly regularly, so post when you want to go.
