Ginnie Springs Question

[sotgecho]

For those of you who dive Ginnie Springs year round or who have been there recently; are there any pointers you could give me? Things to check out? Areas to setup for a day of diving? Dive shops to check out? Why do they require "on-site fills"?

I am going up to Manatee Springs next week for the DUI drysuit rally and then heading to Ginnie the next day to check it out because I have never dove a spring and I want to get an orientation on where I will be taking some training in the next few months.

Thanks!

 

[TSandM]

Hmm . . . I haven't been there for a while, but the times I have been there, nobody required on-site fills. If you're filling between dives, it's more convenient to do it there, but I don't know about the availability of Nitrox (wasn't there when I was last there).

I gather you are not cave-trained? Then your diving will be in the spring run, the river, and depending on your risk tolerance, in the Ginnie Ballroom (which is a cavern). The access to the ballroom is the first parking area you come to as you drive in past the office, and the spring with the entrances to the Devil's System is a bit further one. There are lots of tables to use for setup.

As far as dive shops to check out, if your user title is correct, you will definitely want to stop by Extreme Exposures in High Springs. Jim Wyatt has a new store, Cave Country Dive Shop, and there is also Cave Excursions East.

Hopefully, some folks who dive Florida more than I do will happen by here and leave more information.

 

[sotgecho]

Thank you for the input.

I just saw the on-site fills requirement on their website and was just wondering.

I am not cave trained however it is on my list of things to do. I have heard such great things about this place that I need to check it out. I was planning on checking out the basin and the ballroom and if I have time do the drift dive.

I was planning on stopping by EE on the way up to Ginnie to hopefully talk to Doug Mudry about a Fundies class schedule and get some fills. Jim Wyatt is on my list of potential cave instructors; so that is a great suggestion. Thanks.

 

[JahJahwarrior]

They require on site fills for rental tanks. They only fill 21% nitrox.

If diving that mix, it's easy to get fills at Ginnie. If you are taking tanks and want more o2, there are lots of options. The main road to Ginnie is CR340. When leaving Ginnie, turn right on 340 and go till the intersection (few minutes) to CEE. Or, at that intersection, turn right. Drive to the next intersection (Fort White, maybe 10 minutes) then keep going straight to the next intersection (elim church road) and turn left. Go a mile or so to Amigos on the left, with the orange road sign out front.

Or turn left onto 340 to go to high springs. Go to the stop sign (bp gas station) and turn left. On your right by the hardware store is EE. Or go straight to the big intersection, 441 (Hardee's), and turn left. Drive a minute or so looking for cave country dive shop on the left.

All are great shops.

Camp at Ginnie, or stay at the Cadillac or High Springs Country Inn, those will be close to manatee for dog days, maybe a 50 minute drive.

Are you cave diving? Never dove Ginnie before? Eh...follow your training and the lines in the cave. Spend time staring at the map in the shop before and after and figure out where the main line goes on the map. Hard to tell you what to look for if you don't know the catacombs from the park bench or the ear from the eye, but once you have a few landmarks down its easy to explain where the Gizzard or Toxic Waste Tunnel is...

 

[sskasser]

....The main road to Ginnie is CR340. When leaving Ginnie, turn [-]left [/-] right on 340 and go till the intersection (few minutes) to CEE. Or, at that intersection, turn right. Drive to the next intersection (Fort White, maybe 10 minutes) then keep going straight to the next intersection (elim church road) and turn left. Go a mile or so to Amigos on the left, with the orange road sign out front.

Or turn [-]right[/-] left onto 340 to go to high springs. Go to the stop sign (bp gas station) and turn left. On your right by the hardware store is EE. Or go straight to the big intersection, 441 (Hardee's), and turn left. Drive a minute or so looking for cave country dive shop on the left.
...

Ummmm, might want to double check those directions

 

[sotgecho]

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions so far.

From reading about Florida cave diving for some time now I can not wait to see it in person.

 

[TSandM]

Don't know what your precise dates are, but I talked to Doug Mudry on the phone today, and he's leaving Monday for the GUE conference in Kiel, and then a week of vacation.

 

[j2s]

I just got back today from testing some equipment there, I do it regularly....Had the whole place to myself.....Staff was great...Less stressed/rushed during the week ...Stopped at Extreme Exposure on Main street in High Springs, to get my tanks topped off before going to Ginnie, [first time at that shop].....Only charged me $5.00 to add 2000psi to an LP85 and 1000psi to an AL40.....Try the Springs Diner on Santa Fe Blvd,(441) [next door to the Cavecountrydiving shop]......You get a 10% discount if they know you're a diver.....High Springs is a small town, easy to find things and the people have always been super nice......

 

[DeepSeaExplorer]

JaJa making a wrong turn out of Ginnie of all places.

Didn't you use to work there!

That's too funny...

 

[sotgecho]

Don't know what your precise dates are, but I talked to Doug Mudry on the phone today, and he's leaving Monday for the GUE conference in Kiel, and then a week of vacation.

Thanks for the update. I am sure I will be able to meet him in the future. I am sure this is the first trip of many to High Springs.

I just got back today from testing some equipment there, I do it regularly....Had the whole place to myself.....Staff was great...Less stressed/rushed during the week ...Stopped at Extreme Exposure on Main street in High Springs, to get my tanks topped off before going to Ginnie, [first time at that shop].....Only charged me $5.00 to add 2000psi to an LP85 and 1000psi to an AL40.....Try the Springs Diner on Santa Fe Blvd,(441) [next door to the Cavecountrydiving shop]......You get a 10% discount if they know you're a diver.....High Springs is a small town, easy to find things and the people have always been super nice......

That is nice to hear.

Thanks for the information all.