Pennyroyal yesterday

[vodolaz]

I made my first visit to Pennyroyal yesterday. Based on the paltry information on the web, I didn't have high expectations and so was very pleasantly surprised on arrival.

Visibility was easily the best I've seen in the mid-South (around 60'+ I'd estimate), and I loved the short 5' walk from the picnic tables to giant stride entry points. The 90'+ vertical walls were perfect reference points for the informal deco profiles we practiced.

Temps were quite brisk at depth (43F @ 90') for drysuit divers, and comfortable enough for wetsuit divers above the thermocline (around 45', I think).

The grounds were well kept, the staff were extremely friendly, and nitrox is available onsite. Most of the other divers there were diving technical rigs, as my buddy and I were.

It's a bit of a drive for me, but I'll be back in a few weeks...and hope to meet some of you there.

 

[jbd]

we keep hearing thta the place doesn't exist or isn't open etc etc etc.

Can you post a link to their website?

 

[CincyBengalsFan]

It's directly off the highway.

But I hear that place stays cold year-round. Is that true?

 

[Big-t-2538]

http://www.airheadsscuba.com/pennyroyal.html

pretty useless other than to prove that it exitsts

 

[cstreu1026]

Wow I checked out the pictures that were on that site and the water looks amazingly clear. I hope someone comes up with more info on the place.

 

[vodolaz]

The Airheads link seems to be the only vaguely useful link on the web, since Pennyroyal's site remains down.

I have no idea if the water temp at depth improves significantly in summer, though I kind of doubt it. I'll ask next time I'm out there.

Admittance was $15.00, and they do partial-pressure nitrox fills onsite.

The quarry is very close to Hopkinsville, near the airport. On Pennyrile Pkwy leaving Hopkinsville, take exit 9 (Hwys 68 & 80[?]), then take an immediate right onto a gravel road. You'll see a large dive flag sign, followed by a sign for Blue Springs Scuba Resort, then a smaller sign for Pennyroyal.

 

[Medic]

I have dove there several times and the place is pretty awsome. The phone number is (270)887-2585, the owners are Kris and Dennis Tapp. I talked to Kris yesterday and he said they were having trouble with their website. But if you call they with provide you with all the info. They have several items in the water, bus, firetruck, helicopter, ect. the water is clear and not too cold to dive. Like I said, a wonderful place to dive!

 

[k4sdi]

I got a chance to meet Dennis this weekend during a SAR for a downed aircraft. He seemed like a nice fellow, and I think he talked me into checking out his cold water / good vis quarry.


Mark

 

[msedivingdoc]

I'm going to be in the area and was thinking of driving to Mermet which is an additional 1 hr away for me. If this place is open on Friday I'd love to meet up with someone to dive it. I will be in Madisonville with my National Guard unit and will be done Fri morning... Plenty of time to get to Hop town and get a dive in.

 

[ktapp]

hey everyone, this is Kris Tapp one of the owners of Pennyroyal Scuba Blue Springs. Yes we are open and in full operation. Our website is currently down due to tech problems. You may reach us here at the resort via calling 270-887-2585, or email me at ktapp@spis.net. We check email daily. I will post when the site is up and running.

Thanks for the inquires.
Kris Tapp
PSC Blue Springs Resort