New record attempt?

[aw]

Whether you follow what these guys are doing or not, it will be of interest to the cave diving community to see if a new record is set next weekend.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...s/14549973.htm

[OutlawCaver]

The potential to set a world record is by anyone allowed and willing to compete. Are we all allowed to compete at this site? If not, it is a club/organizational record.

[DeWayne]

It will be a great accomplishment no doubt, but as outlaw stated, it will not be a true world record since the site is restricted. Then again, if the site was not restricted the old record might not still be waiting to be broken.

[Cindy]

Hey Guys, Cathedral has just as much potential to go as Wakulla and isn't as deep. The guys are out around 12,000 there and still going. There are wide open sites that the record can be done/beaten in. What those guys are doing up there is fantastic and whether it is a "closed site" or not it's still a great effort and a monumental task. They have my respect for what they are doing. It will be a record in my book where ever it's done. I would like to see the day we can all respect each other our accomplishments. Believe me what they do up there makes all cave divers look good in the eyes of the DEP of Florida. This is one time I think that wishing them good luck and fair weather would be the best for our sport. Be good now and dive safe, Cindy

[Bill Rotella]

Well said Cindy and Thank You.

Bill

[Signal 20]

They have my respect for what they are doing. It will be a record in my book where ever it's done. I would like to see the day we can all respect each other our accomplishments.

I deffinetly respect what they are doing as there are not many people equiped and skilled enough to do what they are doing. However I must agree that its kinda hard to consider it such a world record when they are diving in a place where they are the only ones allowed in there. I'm not trying to rehash an argument about who should be allowed where. But its kinda sad to hear alot of stories about amasing caves and places that need exploration but are off limits to the diving community.

[Cindy]

I'd like to dive there also but I am unwilling to play by their rules. That's my choice, not theirs. Anyone reading this post could be up there if they have the money, talent, time and inclination. In that sense it's not a closed cave. I think that time will tell that all the teams that work with the DEP do more for getting caves open than most can see at this point. The information and science that is provided is very valuable to the DEP and they are beginning to actually want cave divers. Wakulla is just closed to people like me who are too darn stubborn to deal with the bs invovled in a team like that. Are they hurting me or am I hurting myself..... Frankly I would rather rule in hell than serve in heaven. But that's just me.
Competition is a good thing for all of us, while envy usually only hurts the person who feels it. Cindy

[Genesis]

Really?

Then perhaps you can explain why the organizers of the petition to open Cheryl/Emerald are being stonewalled - although the money is there, the plans have been approved, the material is available and so are the swinging...... uh..... hammers ready and willing.

Hmmmm.. another FOIA is in order me thinks, along with, just perhaps, some letters aimed at a formal investigation by the machinery of the State as to exactly how a private organization gets to be endowed with "most favored" status - to the extent that others, who have approved access, can't even manage to get a return email.

If you recall the LAST FOIA sussed out that the original petition sat on a desk for nearly a full year without a reply, despite multiple inquiries.

Suddenly, one little FOIA and it was all shook out.

Me thinks more shaking needs to be done, and this time, I have no intention of stopping with just an FOIA. That I did the last time in deference to those who claimed that it would be "disruptive" to go further.

Not gonna be done that way this time around.....

[lowvoltguy]

What happened to George Irvine? Is he still cave diving?

[lowvoltguy]

Hey Guys, Cathedral has just as much potential to go as Wakulla and isn't as deep. The guys are out around 12,000 there and still going. There are wide open sites that the record can be done/beaten in. What those guys are doing up there is fantastic and whether it is a "closed site" or not it's still a great effort and a monumental task. They have my respect for what they are doing. It will be a record in my book where ever it's done. I would like to see the day we can all respect each other our accomplishments. Believe me what they do up there makes all cave divers look good in the eyes of the DEP of Florida. This is one time I think that wishing them good luck and fair weather would be the best for our sport. Be good now and dive safe, Cindy

I have read and re-read Sheck's book ... "Maybe it just goes on forever" (Cathedral) ... Anyone thought (or better yet planned) a exploration dive in this system????