How about a Legend Weekend Report?

[marshallkarp]

How did it go?

 

[k4man]

Just getting back home, myself. The weekend was great for all who attended. Friday afternoon and evening turned out great after some questionable weather in the morning. The basic introductions took place at the meet and greet, and all enjoyed the company and stories of both Zale Parry and Dr. Sam Lecocq...along with some great snacks and WINE!

Saturday and today's weather could not have been better. All day long there was abundant diving, there were talks about vintage regs and the early days of diving and even a special dive opportunity to "dive" (this means a photo op by the plane) with Ms. Parry, who had received special doctors ok to do so. The evening was filled with episodes of Sea Hunt, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and more!

Oh, wait, did I forget to say RAFFLES???? Wow! What prizes! Regs, BCDs, Masks, fins, A TRIP TO BELIZE, free scuba classes, and tons more!!

Today was also special with lots of memorabilia of Sea Hunt and lots of info from Alec Peirce...awesome prizes, again!! and more photo ops from all.

While I think the overall turnout was disappointing to the Quarry (some say less than last year for the divers world record attempt ), there is no doubt that all who did attend had a decent time. I was able to win a Mares mask and score a magazine subscription, but nothing big, unfortunately.....

Hope more will decide to give it a try next year.

 

[diver_paula]

How were the prices? I know several people that went last year and swore they wouldn't go back again for the Lengends weekend. The size of the campsites were cut in half or more. Prices were raised significantly for both divers and non-divers. The general agreement was that despite the appeal of the Lengends, the price was exhorbitant, especially for those bringing families.

Do I consider it next year?

P

 

[brutus_scuba]

The general agreement was that despite the appeal of the Lengends, the price was exhorbitant, especially for those bringing families.

Do I consider it next year?

P

First off my buddy Mike won the Belize trip. I was the crazy yo-yo yelling at Jeff that his jeep was the one flying up "The Back 40" He was definately a good guy deserving of the trip. He has been diving for about 2 years now and just hasn't been able to get the money put away to go anywhere great yet.

Secondly Paula the price I thought was fair for divers diving Friday, Saturday and Sunday it was 35 dollars for the weekend with camping 45/pp. Even without the legends event it would be 10/day and camping 5/pp. As far as families go if there are non-divers in the family they only pay 5/day. IN that reguard it is cheaper then Gilboa. You don't have to pay the full fee for non-divers. And at least at Portage they have the slides and beach for families it is a great place for families.

If you're really diving significantly cheaper anywhere in Ohio I would like to hear about it. But then again maybe I should tell everyone it stinks because that is where we have our year passes and trailers setup and of course it's always nice having a quarry to yourself.

 

[Eeyore48104]

How were the prices? I know several people that went last year and swore they wouldn't go back again for the Lengends weekend. The size of the campsites were cut in half or more. Prices were raised significantly for both divers and non-divers. The general agreement was that despite the appeal of the Lengends, the price was exhorbitant, especially for those bringing families.

Do I consider it next year?
P

I'm one of those who went last year and didn't go this year - mostly due to an unfavorable "cost/benefit" ratio. (I really went last year for the "record" attempt and was bored with the "Legends" part.) I saw nothing that warranted doubling the daily access rate and saw nothing new this year.

Just my two centavos.

 

[diver_paula]

... snip... IN that reguard it is cheaper then Gilboa. You don't have to pay the full fee for non-divers. And at least at Portage they have the slides and beach for families it is a great place for families.

If you're really diving significantly cheaper anywhere in Ohio I would like to hear about it. But then again maybe I should tell everyone it stinks because that is where we have our year passes and trailers setup and of course it's always nice having a quarry to yourself.

Please don't get me wrong, I like Portage. I'll be camping there in a couple weeks with several buddies and their families. For the reasons you stated we always choose Portage as a weekend campout to accommodate those with families.

& I didn't by any means imply that Portage is more expensive than other places. Just that the prices were increased greatly last year for the Lengends weekend. I wanted to know if the prices were increased for this year's event as much as they were last year.

Paula

 

[Sam Miller III]

Legends of diving

Allow me to clarify a few misconceptions.

The participants were Zale Parry, Sam Lecocq, Alex Pierce and my self Dr. Sam Miller.

Zale flew in from NW US, Sam Lecocq from his retirement home in Baja California Mexico, Alex drove from Canada and I was scheduled to fly in from Southern California, but was marooned in LAX. All this costs precious time and money...

Each brought their own expertise to the event.

Zale Parry, the fist woman's depth record holder and her any years of Hollywood involvement, etc.
Sam Lecocq (Le Coke) was the designer and driving force behind the single hose regulate ALL of you use..He founded a very progressive diving manufacturing company Sportsways in 1958...etc
Alex Pierce is the owner of SCUBA 2000 voted one of the top ten dive operations in the world. He is considered the worlds expert on the Sea Hunt TV program.
Sam Miller I can wear a number of hats..I was scheduled to speak on early dive training and the tradition and many many contributions of LA county UIA. Should you like to know more about me send an E mail to divndocs@earthlink.net.

Should you like to read some of the history of the participants or diving may I suggest going to Portage Quarry and link on to "Legends' It will be an education...

Jeff Rice is to be commended in bringing the Legends to the divers of Ohio. We, who were the first diving generation are in our 70s and 80s and our members are rapidly dwindling in numbers. Soon there will be no more and rather hearing from those who were active pioneer participants of the era you can only remark, I think, I heard, I suppose, I belive..

sdm

 

[brutus_scuba]

Please don't get me wrong, I like Portage. I'll be camping there in a couple weeks with several buddies and their families. For the reasons you stated we always choose Portage as a weekend campout to accommodate those with families.

& I didn't by any means imply that Portage is more expensive than other places. Just that the prices were increased greatly last year for the Lengends weekend. I wanted to know if the prices were increased for this year's event as much as they were last year.

Paula

If you go for Friday-Sunday it is only 5 dollars more than a typical weekend, and for the chance to win a trip to Belize alone the 5 dollars is deserving but then to be able to meet the participants and have the conversations that Dr. Miller stated are really what make the event worth every cent.

I agree with Dr. Miller. The diving industry would be better off with more people who have the resources and passion for diving both past and present to get the information out there, and the first hand stories out there.


@Dr Miller,

I spent Thursday and Saturday night sitting around a camp fire with Michelle (and Ric Saturday night) it is a shame you were unable to join us. I was sad to learn that you weren't able to make it. I'm sure our paths will cross at some other junction.

 

[Sam Miller III]

[QUOTE=brutus_scuba]...

@Dr Miller,

I spent Thursday and Saturday night sitting around a camp fire with Michelle (and Ric Saturday night) it is a shame you were unable to join us. I was sad to learn that you weren't able to make it. I'm sure our paths will cross at some other junction.[/QUOTE]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ric & Michelle my favorite people and favorite place to spend my Saturday evenings...So sorry I missed it. Both Ric and Michelle are credits to the world of diving. I am honored to have them as my friends of the underwater world.

Just hung up from a 45 minute conversation with Zale...was the young recently certified girl Zale met on the sunken plane Ric's daughter and Michelles student? Zale was certainly impressed with her and would like to hear more from her as she progresses in the diving world.

Yes I am sorry I missed it--but next year....

sdm

 

[ClevelandDiver]

I was there last year and missed this year, but not because of the cost, but rather a last minute collapse of plans.

My only real gripe with Portage is the lack of decent entry/exit points. Especially when I dive my doubles and nearly crack my head or wrench my spine sliding among the slippery rocks getting in or out.

I told one of the workers there this when I dropped by earlier in the year. He kept talking about all the cool things they sunk in the quarry and I must have repeated myself half a dozen times saying I'd rather have a nice entry point than look at another sunken plane/boat/car/truck/whatever. I think he was getting anoyed with me.

That said, I had a great time at the Legends event in 2006 and will try to make it in 2008. Next time I will make my plans independent of others so they are less likely to implode 18 hours prior to departure.