Holy SMOKES, I started a thread!
On catching up on posts, I noticed some conversation regarding Weeki Wachee Springs having re-opened. In my forced absence, I never knew they even closed!
While in Florida last week, I managed to sneak in some dives at Hudson Grotto, as well as two dives over at Weeki Wachee.
While at Weeki, I spoke with one of the owners of the dive shop contracted by the state of Florida to oversee the diving. His name is Alan (I have his biz card with his last name and contact info if anyone would like this), and he was very nice. He told me the last time the spring was closed, was in the mid-1950's. While the spring was recently closed, he and his partner spent over 400 hours each (give or take) diving and cleaning the spring. I guess, the old moss and such would sink to the bottom of the spring, causing build-up over time. At the time of the cleaning, most of the rocks were covered, and the place was in need of some house keeping. I guess they removed a LOT of dead gunk! For lack of a professional word.
I never dove Weeki before, so I have nothing to compare the "new look" to. But, I thought it was great! Even with 20 or so students in the water, the vis did not murk up! Lots of turtles and fish to check out. I had to be out of the water 30 minutes before the mermaid show, but other than that, it was all good. I left the park to get some lunch, and they stamped my hand so I could go back in the afternoon (after the last mermaid show at 3 pm) to make a second dive. It was great! No students in the water, just myself and my dive buddy, plus the safety diver they keep in the water.
Sorry for the length of this post, I'm sure most of you have dove here! I just really enjoyed the dive spot!
Boats
- I uploaded some pictures of Weeki to my photos on ScubaBoard if anyone wants to check 'em out. I have more, I was just having problems getting them to upload, along with my video. Does anyone have any advice on uploading to ScubaBoard?
On catching up on posts, I noticed some conversation regarding Weeki Wachee Springs having re-opened. In my forced absence, I never knew they even closed!
While in Florida last week, I managed to sneak in some dives at Hudson Grotto, as well as two dives over at Weeki Wachee.
While at Weeki, I spoke with one of the owners of the dive shop contracted by the state of Florida to oversee the diving. His name is Alan (I have his biz card with his last name and contact info if anyone would like this), and he was very nice. He told me the last time the spring was closed, was in the mid-1950's. While the spring was recently closed, he and his partner spent over 400 hours each (give or take) diving and cleaning the spring. I guess, the old moss and such would sink to the bottom of the spring, causing build-up over time. At the time of the cleaning, most of the rocks were covered, and the place was in need of some house keeping. I guess they removed a LOT of dead gunk! For lack of a professional word.
I never dove Weeki before, so I have nothing to compare the "new look" to. But, I thought it was great! Even with 20 or so students in the water, the vis did not murk up! Lots of turtles and fish to check out. I had to be out of the water 30 minutes before the mermaid show, but other than that, it was all good. I left the park to get some lunch, and they stamped my hand so I could go back in the afternoon (after the last mermaid show at 3 pm) to make a second dive. It was great! No students in the water, just myself and my dive buddy, plus the safety diver they keep in the water.
Sorry for the length of this post, I'm sure most of you have dove here! I just really enjoyed the dive spot!
Boats
- I uploaded some pictures of Weeki to my photos on ScubaBoard if anyone wants to check 'em out. I have more, I was just having problems getting them to upload, along with my video. Does anyone have any advice on uploading to ScubaBoard?