Steps at Madison Blue

Did 2 great dives at Madison Blue yesterday, but wanted to mention that the righthand (when facing the water) set of steps to the water is very hazardous. There is a step missing and when I decided (foolishly) to take a big step over the missing step, I was more than surprised that the next step rotated when I stepped on it. I mention this because I'm sure falling while wearing a set of doubles would likely lead to injury of some sort. Fortunately, this is easily avoided by just using the other set of steps.

Is this the kind of thing that volunteers could help fix or will the SP deal with it.?

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Originally Posted by Serota

Did 2 great dives at Madison Blue yesterday, but wanted to mention that the righthand (when facing the water) set of steps to the water is very hazardous. There is a step missing and when I decided (foolishly) to take a big step over the missing step, I was more than surprised that the next step rotated when I stepped on it. I mention this because I'm sure falling while wearing a set of doubles would likely lead to injury of some sort. Fortunately, this is easily avoided by just using the other set of steps.

Is this the kind of thing that volunteers could help fix or will the SP deal with it.?

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You could also do what I do... a giant stride off of the dive platform. :wink:

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Originally Posted by Serota

Is this the kind of thing that volunteers could help fix or will the SP deal with it.?

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I don't know. I believe the steps were like that about 5 yrs ago when I got certified. The park was closed to diving for several years, so I was surprised when I returned and they were still in that condition. I was going to ask the ranger about it, but the ranger was away on other duties when I left the park.

I should think that a SP would be 'responsible' for repairs but maybe volunteers are needed to get it done. I noticed that the left side is getting wobbly also - probably from overuse. Even the swimmers avoid the right side.

After Ann Bruic sold Madison Blue Springs a few years ago, maintaining the stairways hasn't been a priority. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see the stairways torn down and replaced with ladders. When I lasted dived there in November, the right side stairway was roped off and several of the steps in the left side stairway were spongy.

And while we are voicing stairway complaints, I went to Manatee Springs Friday and the steps into Catfish Hotel were kind of wobbly, not going to fail anytime soon but probably on the way to it.

When I think of the steps at Madison Blue, I can't help thinking of the last time I was there. I had a female dive buddy, and a little boy couldn't quite grasp the concept of a cave-diving woman.

She already had her mask and hood on when he swam up to within six inches of her face and demanded, "Are you a boy or a girl?"

I was at Madison late last month and the right side facing the water was roped off. Sounds like they took the rope down, but did nothing else. And yes, the left side is spongy too. Made me a little nervous going up and down. I tried to stay to the edges thinking that area would be stronger, but who knows.

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Originally Posted by Sludge

When I think of the steps at Madison Blue, I can't help thinking of the last time I was there. I had a female dive buddy, and a little boy couldn't quite grasp the concept of a cave-diving woman.

She already had her mask and hood on when he swam up to within six inches of her face and demanded, "Are you a boy or a girl?"

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Ohhhh that's funny. I get that question sometimes too after I'm geared up.

i've only dove Madison once and it was over a year ago, but i remember the stairs being very slippery. my buddy slipped and fell pretty hard on the platform. he wasnt hurt so i didnt feel bad laughing my ass off at him. wont mention any names though

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Originally Posted by Tegg

You could also do what I do... a giant stride off of the dive platform. :wink:

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That's an excellent idea - I think it would be safer than the steps and if you had no air in your wing, you could be at the entrance in no time at all!