I remember reading a very interesting article on the history and exploration of Branford Spring on a thread somewhere. I looked for it, but couldn't find it, if anyone could link me to it, that'd be great.
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I remember reading a very interesting article on the history and exploration of Branford Spring on a thread somewhere. I looked for it, but couldn't find it, if anyone could link me to it, that'd be great.
Jason Richards wrote the one you're probably talking about. It used to be on the IANTD site, but it's gone now. He gets on here from time to time; maybe he'll let us put it in the "Dive Reports" section and sticky it.
I read the original article years ago in the NACD journal. It was limited system with a good room once pat the entrance restriction. I remember the description of the entrance restriction as being very tight and a body length long.
To practice getting through on dry land a sheet of plywood was placed on cinder blocks and weighted so it wouldn't lift off.....then in full sidemount kit working the way through the gauntlet. Too tight for me
Remember at the 1998 (?) CDS workshop on the table for guided dives there was a sign up sheet with a small box,with the description if you can fit through this box you can go.Quote:
Originally Posted by lonestarfl
Jason was just a skinny kid at the time. I asked him about Branford spring a couple years ago, and he said 20/20 hind sight says he wouldn't go in there anymore.
Ben M posted an archived link last time this was discussed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben M
Interesting reading. What year was the article written?
Not sure when the article was written,but exploration occurred mid to later 90'sQuote:
Originally Posted by lakediver
Kelly i do remember that box on the sign up table. I had gotten my intro cert in 1996 and went to the CDS workshop in 97 or 98. I remember looking at that box and thinking " you have got to be kidding...who in there right mind"
This one sounds like 'The real deal' by Jason Richards.......You find a spot like this & commit to it & you will earn your mettle & move on to bigger & better finds ! I loved this post.....it brings back some serious explorations. I once queried Gene about this site, & got his frown & "nothing to find in there" remarks. Still, you can take all the classes & have all the good stuff..gear wise, but lacking good judgement & self restraint you are better off swimming in Peacock slough or Little River !
(yes, Wes was working in Broome's dive shop as a repair tech} Lots of good stories in those days ! early '80's-mid 90's
Reminds me of a buddy we called "Skittles". He put in a few hundred feet of line in Alexander Spring on a no mount single Aluminum 80. We were watching bubbles coming up threw the sand near the beach.
I've been there several times freediving and OW with my wife. I'd love to hear some more about that story!Quote:
Originally Posted by Superlyte27
I don't remember who certified "Skittles". I think Bill Rennaker. He had good skill, but lacked common sense. I think he was 17 or 18 years old. About 5'6" and 140lbs soaking wet. His father was also a cave diver. I can't remember his name and I never dove with him.
I do remember that later that day, when his father heard what he had done, he was furious and made him go back in to take the line out. At the time, I was pretty small (compared to now) at about 170lbs, I tried to get in and could only get back maybe 30'.
I look at the hole nowadays and wonder whether something changed in the structure of the cave or if I'm just not as tough as I once was, because that hole looks just big enough for a basketball.