Invitation for New or Inexperienced Divers in the Chicago Area

[ppo2_diver]

When I first became a certified diver, I instantly loved diving. However, I was extremely nervous about it because I didn't know anybody who was a diver. I didn't think that I would dive very much. So I can relate to how a new diver feels when finally getting certified. I was fortunate to find an experienced diver who invited me to go diving with him. That was quite a few years, and almost a thousand dives, ago. The rest is history.

I haven't forgotten how nervous and intimidating it is to get into the water for the first few times after getting certified. So I have set aside Sunday June 21 for a day of fun diving at Haigh Quarry. I would like to invite any new diver to come out and dive with me. This is not a class, just a day of fun diving with an experienced diver. This invitation isn't limited to only new divers. If you haven't been in the water much since getting certified, you are more than welcome to come and dive with us. If you don't have equipment, Haigh Quarry has all the equipment you'd need for rent. I'll bring a bunch of bottled water and some snacks to munch on.

If you're interested, let me know. Or you can just show up and ask the folks at the office where Duane is and they can point you to where I'm at. I hope to see you there.

[jepuskar]

I'll be there, fo sho!!!

[SouthSideScubaSteve]

Duane, I believe that that is Fathers Day this year, which will also be my 1 year anniversary of being certified :D

Unless I can convince my wife that my fathers day present should be a trip to somewhere warm to dive that day, IÃÍl be at Haigh for sure!!

Steve

[Divin'Hoosier]

Shouldn't a father be able to do what he wants on Father's Day? That has always perplexed me. It's my day. If I wanna go off and doing something I enjoy, why not? Too many wives turn it into the kind of day they think the father should have. Misses the point don't ya think?

[jepuskar]

I think the point of father's day is not to spend it near your wife.

[SouthSideScubaSteve]

Mine will have no issue if I dive all day ....

As long as it's locally!!

[CheddarChick]

What a great gesture...How nice of you to do this

[sbetty]

Being that both of my sons and I are still pretty new to diving, this would be PERFECT. Fathers day with the boys and diving with an experienced diver. Can it get much better.

It also helps that I only live five miles away from Haigh.

Thanks for the invite Duane!

[Dean810]

I would like to invite any new diver to come out and dive with me. This is not a class, just a day of fun diving with an experienced diver....

Duane, you didn't say who the experienced diver would be....

[StreetDoctor]

Duane is good people. I believe I'm coming back from Montana that day, if I'm around I'll be there

[medicdiver738]

Hello my name is Brian and I am very new to diving. I am finishing my open water certification at the end of this month and I am going to Aruba in July. If you wouldn't mind I would love to tag along and get some more expierence before heading down to Aruba.

[kjvander]

Duane...I have it on my calander....thanks for the offer and the invite.

[TheScubaBOB]

So Cool....

Unless I really screw-up and kill a DM or two I'll be a Freshly Minted Rescue Diver (OW 10/08, AOW 01/09) and my oldest daughter will be 3 weeks post OW.

Wahoo!!!!!

Yes, We'll be there.. Great place to have a Father's Day Picnic!

[jepuskar]

I'm a new diver as well...

[TheScubaBOB]

Just trying to revive this thread....

Confirming that I will be there with my daughters & some new gear to play with.

Planning to check-in at 8am and will take my oldest daughter for a swim around the north side of the quarry (I think she'll enjoy the rock crusher) as her first post Cert fun dive.

I know you're not supposed to dive reverse profiles but I think she'd be more comfortable on the shallow side first. Especially since she'll be borrowing the Wifie's I3 Pearl BCD for the first time on this day.

My younger (non-diving) daughter will be with us also, she might snorkel...

I'll bring a little more food than the 3 of us need (but not too much more) so if anyone wants to get together for a group effort "Scubaboard Buddies" Father's Day picnic lunch I think it would be a lot of fun.

Oh yeah, I'll bring the Scubaboard Buddies Dive Flag (so Jup can find us)!!!!

[SouthSideScubaSteve]

Confirming that I will be there with my daughters ... Planning to check-in at 8am and will take my oldest daughter for a swim around the north side of the quarry (I think she'll enjoy the rock crusher) as her first post Cert fun dive.


Kyphur - how old is your daughter (the one that dives)??

I'm thinking maybe I can get mine to join me that day if she know's there will be other girls around her age out there too... Mine is 12, she got her OW last October, but swore off the quarry after I took her diving in Florida on spring break!! (she discovered warm water)

Let me know
Steve

[TheScubaBOB]

Kyphur - how old is your daughter (the one that dives)??

I'm thinking maybe I can get mine to join me that day if she know's there will be other girls around her age out there too... Mine is 12, she got her OW last October, but swore off the quarry after I took her diving in Florida on spring break!! (she discovered warm water)

Let me know
Steve

CJ will be 17 on the 24th, her birthday gift is a full wetsuit & a console with SPG and Suunto Vyper (well she's paying $100 towards the Vyper).

Marie is 14 but doesn't want to dive (yet), so she'll probably snorkel a time or two.

[SouthSideScubaSteve]

Duane - me & my oldest will be there on Sunday for sure, we are just looking to log some bottom time and load some nitrogen!! :D I'm still waiting on my youngest to make up her mind; I'll firm up our timetable on Saterday...

Anyway, I'm looking forward to meeting you and having a chance to dive with you ...

[TheScubaBOB]

Well, CJ had a 3 week bout of stuffy sinuses so she's still a dive shy of being certified. This means she'll be limited to snorkeling on Sunday but we'll still be coming.

[ppo2_diver]

I'm looking forward to seeing everybody. I'll get there around 8:00 AM and will have my yellow and black yard chair with me. I try to setup at a table somewhere around the west dock. See you on Sunday.

[wreckless1]

I'll be there too. I look forward to meeting Duane and everybody.

[TheScubaBOB]

Sad news everyone,

I won't be able to make it tomorrow. My mother had a brain aneurysm last night and is in the hospital. Basically she's being kept alive by machines and has no chance of revocery beyond persistant vegitative state as the neurologist reports she has suffered catastrophic neurological damage.

Tomorrow morning her husband will sign the DNR & the order to disconnect the machines. It is expected that she will slip away shortly thereafter.

I will be at Pearl Lake next weekend on Sunday for my Deep Diver Certification and would be happy to "Get Wet" on Saturday as well.

Blow some bubbles for me guys.

Bob

[luckydays]

Sorry to hear that your family is having a difficult time. I am sure that she will be in a better place soon.

Enjoy your deep water dives next week.

[CheddarChick]

Oh Man....Make sure you take the time you need. And tell her you love her..she can still hear you.....

[wreckless1]

Sorry I didn't make it to Haigh today. I went to a wedding reception last night where there was an open bar. Fun happened and, well, suffice it to say I wasn't in any condition to do anything below or above water today... ;-)