Hey you old farts...How did Sweet Surprise get its name?

[atedeschi]

I first dove Sweet Surprise in 1997 and shot video of the entire tunnel in 1998. I stuck the camera in that connection tunnel to Mainland, but, only got in a few feet and thought it did not go anywhere. Back then Sweet Surprise was all black walls and pristine. The lines were also moved a few times and are not quite what shows on the maps I have seen. Some divers I know started making that Sweet Surprise to Mainland circuit in the early 2000's. It was called the "Ninja Turtle Tunnel" back then due to a green Ninja Turtle statue that was placed in it. The statue was removed in 2004. I hear that connection tunnel referred to as the "Boogeyman Crawl" now. BTW, I was just back there 3 weeks ago exploring some of the side tunnels and the Boogeyman Crawl connection tunnel to Mainland is not a "T" unless someone has put a jump line between it and the Sweet Surprise line. The lines back there are pretty old and brown, sort of hard to see at times. I'll be there this week starting Friday for several days and have Sweet Surprise on my dive agenda.

I believe it is a T, thats what the hancock map shows and Im 99% sure that were I went last friday.

[Capt Tim]

I believe it is a T, thats what the hancock map shows and Im 99% sure that were I went last friday.

I'm positive there is a "T" on the Mainland side as I just reviewed some video I shot that clearly shows it. After you drop down thru the big vertical crack in Sweet Surprise you still have several hundred feet to swim until you get to the jump point. Checking my Sweet Surprise video from last year I don't see any "T" where the jump point & tunnel is located, however, you can see the tunnel easily on the left. All I can say is there was not a "T" there last spring when I shot that video and I don't remember if there was a "T" there 3 weeks ago.

For anyone who wants to do this dive... This circuit is not an easy dive and it is not for everyone. It requires good logistical planning, scooters, stages, and confidence in your gas consumption. If you're using a RB you have other considerations for bailout gas to consider. The dive has some restrictive areas, gets dark & nasty, and is a one way trip once you start in the connector tunnel. The first diver can see some; the next diver(s) are diving in zero viz; that's why the Mainland side is a "T". BTW, your exit is left on the Mainland line. Everyone I know who has done this circuit started from the Sweet Surprise side and exited from the Mainland side. Make very sure you are familiar with the Mainland exit path before you dive this circuit. Do not even consider planning to go from Sweet Surprise thru the connector tunnel and returning back to Sweet Surprise from the Mainland side.

[chimie007]

I'm positive there is a "T" on the Mainland side as I just reviewed some video I shot that clearly shows it. After you drop down thru the big vertical crack in Sweet Surprise you still have several hundred feet to swim until you get to the jump point. Checking my Sweet Surprise video from last year I don't see any "T" where the jump point & tunnel is located, however, you can see the tunnel easily on the left. All I can say is there was not a "T" there last spring when I shot that video and I don't remember if there was a "T" there 3 weeks ago.

I have always seen a permanent T on the MainLand side.

Last time (~ year ago) I went into Sweet Surprise there was something that looked like a semi-permanent T. Definitely not a fresh jump. I guess there are times where folks set it up for the circuit and it stays there a little while.