Asking a lot! Buddy search!

[Dog&pony]

I know this is going to be asking a lot but if you don't ask...

I am going to be in the Jax area at the end of October. I will have only one day when I can dive, Friday, October 29. I have pretty much decided on a springs dive since several are within a reasonable driving distance (actually I will be in Amelia Island). Anyhow, I will be alone and am in search of a dive buddy for the day. I am newly certified so I need someone with the patience to deal with a newbe.
Told ya I was asking a lot.
If anyone is gonna be in the area or lives in the area and could use a good excuse to skip work and dive that day here it is.
Thanks!

 

[GrierHPharmD]

Not asking a lot at all. We post messages like the one above every week. I might suggest putting a note in the Trips and Happenings folder. Be sure to put something like "Springs Dive with a Newbie, October 29" as the header. I'm sure that you'll find a buddy.

We have several very active members in your area. Maybe one of them could suggest a close spring within easy driving distance.

Welcome to our group,
Grier

 

[simbrooks]

As much as i love skipping a day of work and diving with pretty much anyone, i will most likely be stuck in 8 hours of PE exam for the day - fun, assuming i get my check in on time!

As for places to go from Jax, if you are looking for cavern or springs check out this map of the springs, look down the column of OW dives. I would think the closest are Troy and Royal Springs (more details on the state park website) which would be I-10(W) then I-75(S). A little further south is Ginnie Springs which has an "OW safe" cavern and a few no lights caverns as well as a drift down the river. You would need to buddy up with someone to go to any of these.

If you want to dive salty, try Seadog Charters out of New Smyrna Beach (about 2 hours south on I-95), they run trips most days at a reasonable price. You should be able to get a buddy of convenience on that boat, or of course you can try to hit the boats out of Jax, but they have slightly longer travel times out to the sites. Your choice. Have fun though, wish i could go.