Yeurg(however the heck you spell it) Hess was at the Friends of Wakulla meeting and commented on that stuff. His report is on the Divers for Wakulla Facebook page and may even contain the names of the archeology dude he spoke with(can't remember off the top of my head).
The letter highlights events that occurred in the 1950s. I'd focus on the education and training now in place, our creed of leave only bubbles, take only pictures, and the good we've done for caves in the past 2-3 decades. I would also suggest a guided dive system similar to what's in place at Indian and Diepolder. Better to open it up with limitations than not open it at all.Originally Posted by tomhauburn
Rob Neto
Chipola Divers, LLC
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I'd personally rather see prerequisites than guides, but agree that I'd rather see it open with limitations than not at all.
No other state park requires a guide.
Ya think?
Always seek the advice of others, but NEVER let anyone else do your thinking for you.
Instead of a guide system, why not suggest a system in which there is a diving committee. In order to dive the site, you must meet the qualifications set forth by the committee, and be "guided" three times for evaluation of necessary skills, and system familiarization. After the three dives, you would be on the list of approved divers.
I think this should be in place at all guided sites (like Alachua and Black Lagoon).
Marc
Personally, I don't want to dive any of these tally sites (even the shallow sections) with just anyone. I've heard of guides mislabeling tanks (stating they're 18/45 when it's 21/00), and I don't want any part of an instabuddy at a site like this. Just my $0.02, but if I had to dive it with an unknown guide it would be considered closed in my book. The hassle of setting up a guide is why I've never dove Black Lagoon.
I'd really be careful posting anything that could upset the heads of the WKPP in a public forum. Fact is they've gone above and beyond every expectation given by the state and continue to do so, I'd bet if they got really motivated they could stop this single handedly. While I'm sure Casey doesn't like the idea of sharing Wakulla (I wouldn't if I were him), it's human nature to fight harder against something when it becomes personal. Let's not forget also, several WKPP members were present for building the steps at a NSS-CDS owned site and actively participate in other agency social events, no use to alienate a segment of our diving community over a disagreement with leadership.
If they have their way, they will stop any recreational diving at Wakulla. I think thats a forgone conclusion.
I don't think keeping public sites closed to everyone but themselves is offset by a few members donating time at other sites and other agency social events. Infact, I bet alot could get done if the WKPP put the kind of teamwork they put into diving, into volunteering on projects that are universaly helpfull to divers... but thats not happening. There certainly are WKPP members out there helping out with diving in general, but its not the groups effort... just the work of individuals who are looking outside of the WKPP.
I can only hope that the WKPP and its current leadership would see that working with other cave divers and recreational divers might give them the opportunity to educate and possibly lead by example with their willingness to work as a "Team" rather then work "against" fellow divers with respect to access of tax payer owned resources.
Last edited by Tegg; 02-16-2011 at 12:13 PM.
Joe
Let me know when you want to go.
When are we going? Count me in....
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