Troy Springs / Royal Springs?

[jj1987]

Has anyone been to Troy Springs or Royal recently? I'd like to know what conditions are like, preferably Troy over Royal. A friend who's new to OW diving is coming into town to play with her bp/w and regs she got for christmas, and I was hoping to have a better option than Orange Grove Sink to work on getting her used to the new gear, weighting, long hose, etc.

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Alexander would probably be a great place to get aquainted with new gear at and I'm sure its fine right now.

[Scubastud16]

While Alexander is convenient, I'm sure James knows the terror of the limestone sand storm that is Alexander. I'm pretty sure there is STILL some of it on my wing somewhere, and I dove there months ago.

[stairman]

When I can skin dive to the bottom,like Alexander,I wonder why people bother to lug gear that far.To check out new gear I suppose.Orange Grove can be a little intimidating to newbes.I love being down there when people see it for the first time.Especially the divers non-diving friends and family.Your not going in that are you,has been echoed many many times.

[SuPrBuGmAn]

While Alexander is convenient, I'm sure James knows the terror of the limestone sand storm that is Alexander. I'm pretty sure there is STILL some of it on my wing somewhere, and I dove there months ago.

I think thats the first time I've heard of a little sand being blown up as a reason not to dive a site - LOL.

Been there, seen plenty worse

[Serota]

I was at another spring near Troy last week and it was pretty well blown. I'm not saying Troy is for sure, but I would bet that way.

[underwaterjedi]

I don't know what the conditions there are like, but Blue Grotto / Devils Den are nice intro dives for somebody who only has an OW.

Jose

[Marchand]

about two weeks ago royal looked divable. I don't think it was connected to the river then so it might still be diveable.

[Scubastud16]

I think thats the first time I've heard of a little sand being blown up as a reason not to dive a site - LOL.

Been there, seen plenty worse

Well, all things relative, this was not a "small" amount of sand. Figure 20+ divers in the spring at the same time, including some cavern-doof who decided it would be a GREAT idea to push all the sand into the vents to watch a snow storm form. Idiot.

[alias]

I don't want to hijack this thread... but as I was just about to ask something similar, so I hope the OP does not mind...

When I can skin dive to the bottom,like Alexander,I wonder why people bother to lug gear that far.To check out new gear I suppose.Orange Grove can be a little intimidating to newbes.I love being down there when people see it for the first time.Especially the divers non-diving friends and family.Your not going in that are you,has been echoed many many times.

What is intimidating about Orange Grove (I have never been)?

My question was going to be... Where is a good place for gear testing near Peacock where one would have a little bit more space and depth - and hopefully not a terrible hike with tanks if needing to come up for tweaking several times? Some viz would be good but I am used to 15 ft if things do not smell bad.

I am planning to try a few things (incl bigger tanks) one day during Jan trip, and I have never been to Troy or anything. Also what places might be crowded by students and thus good but worth avoiding on certain days?