Cavernmania

[Natasha]

Hi Divers:
Several of you have asked for something like this.
I think it's a great idea.
I'm in search of the perfect cavern instructor.
Since I'll be based in Florida for most of the month of July, next year.. here is what I'm thinking.
Wreckmania II for new wreck certification divers .. 4 days long
Photomania the following 3 days for underwater classes in photography
Wreckmania "Continues" for already wreck certified divers wanting to do new wrecks ... 4 days
Cavernmania the following 4 days for northern Florida caverns/ caves
Who wants to go?

:gorgeous:

[DivingGal]

You got me down for the photomania... (at least I hope you do), I'll have to think about the cavern. It's something I've not been very interested in - after all there is not many of them up this way. When do you need to know?

[Natasha]

I'm just getting a feel for what everyone wants now. I won't be taking deposits for it, for quite some time.
OK you're first on the list for Photomania. And Wreckmania Continues? I'm thinking about the West Coast of Florida for this ..or the Keys.

[DivingGal]

Continue the fun, more wrecks, more diving ... gee you're twisting my arm... OK.

I posted a question in the cave forum asking why dive caves/caverns.... I'm sure the answers I get there will help make up my mind. I am tempted though.

[Dee]

Originally posted by Natasha
Hi Divers:
Several of you have asked for something like this.
I think it's a great idea.
I'm in search of the perfect cavern instructor.
Since I'll be based in Florida for most of the month of July, next year.. here is what I'm thinking.
Wreckmania II for new wreck certification divers .. 4 days long
Photomania the following 3 days for underwater classes in photography
Wreckmania "Continues" for already wreck certified divers wanting to do new wrecks ... 4 days
Cavernmania the following 4 days for northern Florida caverns/ caves
Who wants to go?

:gorgeous:

I'm kinda slow so let me get this straight...

In one week - Wreckmania II the first 4 days and Photomania the following 3 days?

In another week - Wreckmania Continues the first 4 days and Cavernmania the following 4 days?

We can only do Florida once and since I'd really like to do Wreckmania Cont. the most I guess that's the on I'd have to go with. I'm with DG on the caverns...I really do enjoy them but only get to do them once a year and that's not good enough to stay sharp on those particular skills.

Of course I'm interested in Photomania! Especially if you dig up an instructor who knows digital cameras...hehe. Now, if you were to go with Photo and Wreck Cont. in one week, I'dbe set!

Put Beast and I down as definitely interested in whichever week has Wreck Cont. in it.

[Natasha]

Yes, well that's pretty much correct.
What I'm shooting for is to have Photomania in between the two wreck classes so the divers from each class can hook Photomania onto the beginnning or the end of their class. This way we over-lap and get to meet divers from both classes in Photomania.
So all the days will be on going with no rest in between. Since I'm still insearch of the perfect instructor (I'm going to the big scuba show here in a few minutes, 1000 booths) Hopefully I'll find him/her there.

But here's an example.
Looking at the 2003 calander...July 4th is a Friday. If we start Wreckmania II on that day, it will go on until Monday the 7th.
Photomania will start the 8th and go until 11th. On the 11th we will start Wreckmania Continues. It will end on the 15th, so we can get in 4 days of diving again.
Cavernmania we will need to travel up the "Cave Country" and use that day as a travel day. So it will go from July 15th to July19th with the 20th Sunday, as a travel day back, or a day to fly home.
I understand your statement that you "need to keep those skills up." What I have heard is that learning cavern skills can only improve and help with your 'regular' skills even more.
So even if you don't dive the caverns, knowing these new skills makes you a better diver, even in the quarries, oceans, and lakes.
Sound good?

[Spectre]

You got me interested... I'd be interested in the second week.

Curious... why not have wreckmania II and wreckmania continues back to back. e.g. first week photo the wreckmania and second week wreckmania continues and cavernmania? That way someone interested in just wrecks could do both wrecks sections in one stretch? (except that takes wreckmania off a weekend, which could cause problems to those just wanting wreckmania!)

Wow... now that I start thinking of this, I envy trip planners, this is hard!

[DivingGal]

Originally posted by Natasha
... What I have heard is that learning cavern skills can only improve and help with your 'regular' skills even more....

That's what I've heard too, and Gadget responded to my inquiry in detail Why Should I? (http://www.scubaboard.com/t8862/s.html)

So it's a YES to Wreckmania continues, a YES to Photomania, and a strong MAYBE to Cavernmania....

[TexasMike]

The two TDI instructors that I am getting instruction from (currently my DM cert) are full cave instructors and would be good choices for Cavernmania.

Both are on the board as well. I'll PM you their board names so you can inquire of them.

--Mike

[Natasha]

Interesting. Thanks Mike.
DG:
I loved what Gadget had to say. Very informative post.

:gorgeous:

[scuba-sass]

Hi Natasha,

Summer usually works pretty well for us, and I'm sure Lyd and I would love photomania, wreckmania-advanced, and possibly cavernmania (have to check that one with Lyd). Having just purchased an MX-10, we'd prefer if the course wasn't all about digital, but it doesn't sound like you're leaning that way.

Keep us posted!

Scuba-sass :-)

[DivingGal]

Originally posted by scuba-sass
Hi Natasha,

Summer usually works pretty well for us, and I'm sure Lyd and I would love photomania, wreckmania-advanced, and possibly cavernmania (have to check that one with Lyd). Having just purchased an MX-10, we'd prefer if the course wasn't all about digital, but it doesn't sound like you're leaning that way.

Keep us posted!

Scuba-sass :-)

I'm with you with the photo not being totally digital, as I have a MX-10 also (and unless the scuba gods are very, very kind... will be staying that wya for some time).

Natasha - yes Gadget has provided a wealth of info in the thread. Just goes to show you, the skills we learn for one are can apply to others.

[Dee]

OK...I didn't realize you were running them all back to back. I kinda like that. With only a couple of extra days, we should be able to do Wreck Cont., Photo, and Cavern within a 2 week period. I liked Gadgets comments on cavern training too. Makes a whole lot of sense. It's a strong definite maybe for us. How's that for commiting?!?

As for the photo instruction....I didn't mean ONLY digital photography. Underwater digital is still in the first stages and there aren't many scuba instructors who are experienced enough in it to teach the particulars. ANY instruction in regards to f/stops, shutter speeds and composition is useful for both film and digital users. I could care less about another C-card, but would love to have someone, not necessarily an instructor, help me with the tricks of using digital. I'm thinking about a photo class I took a couple of years ago sponsored by Sea & Sea. It covered the MX-10 and MMII cameras. I learned a tremendous amount of camera specific info in that class. If I had owned a Nikonos, I wouldn't have gotten nearly as much out of the class.

Sass and DG...I still have those notes and handouts from that S&S class if you're interested!

[DivingGal]

Originally posted by Dee
... It's a strong definite maybe for us. How's that for commiting?!?

hehehe -- just like me girl.


I could care less about another C-card, but would love to have someone, not necessarily an instructor, help me with the tricks of using digital.
That's me -- I'm after the training, not the c-cards (gad I have enough)


Sass and DG...I still have those notes and handouts from that S&S class if you're interested!

Oh please do --- What I know is from trial and error, and the oh so lovely video I got with the camera.

[Natasha]

I have quite a big announcement.
I just got back from the scuba show here in Chicago.
I was lucky enough to work the Bonaire booth. While I was there guess who recognized me and walked over?
The one the only, My "Scuba God" .. Joel Silverstein.
Some of you know of him, some do not.
He has agreed to be our special guest speaker, and diver, on "Wreckmania Continues".
Yes, Joel will speak to us in class form, and dive with us in the Keys. He said he would like to dive the Duane and the Bibb amoungst other wrecks. Ok some of you are still sctaching your heads saying, "Who?"
So before I spill the beans, let me hear from those that do know Joel, or what he is known for.

[Dee]

Originally posted by Natasha
.....So before I spill the beans, let me hear from those that do know Joel, or what he is known for.

If memory serves....he's a very well known wreck diver/explorer. He helped develope safe technical diving procedures and also published Sub Aqua magazine. He's a very prolific writer of technical training manuals, articles, etc.

Very simplistic description that doesn't do him justice. I'd love to hear him speak or take one of his classes.

[Walter]

Joel coauthored both the YMCA and NAUI texts on nitrox as well as the nitrox section of the NOAA Diving Manual. He is the (one of the?) owner(s) of Abysmal Diving Inc. Abysmal is well known for software, especially software relating to decompression. It is becoming better known for equipment. Joel taught the YMCA Nitrox Instructor course where I became certified to teach nitrox. I only met him that one time (last October), but I found him to be knowledgeable and interesting.

[DivingGal]

What I know of Joel Silverstein: serious wreck diver (A. Doria, Monitor ? etc)
author on mix gases (not sure about this, but I seem to remember seeing a book on Amazon)

and of course - Natasha knows him hehehe

[Tavi]

The Duane, the Bibb, and now Joel.

I'm getting more and more interested in this trip!
Cavernmania too!

Here is some info about Joel, http://www.nitroxdiver.com/Library/joel.html

[DivingGal]

Hmmm Tavi - your link didn't work for me..

Joel Silverstein (http://www.joelsilverstein.com/) This is a link to Joel's own site.

[Tavi]

It works for me.

Also, your link leads to a site that has a link that will take you to a page that has a link to the page that I posted the link to!

Got that??:D

[scuba-sass]

Dee & DG - we must all be sisters!

I feel the same on the "deffinate maybe" the c-card and yes, the oh-so-lovely MX-10 video. I'd love more info on how to use this new toy. PM me about how we can make the exchange.

Natasha - How lucky we are to have a "Mom" like you - good looking, and with "connections" to boot! I'm kind of on overload right now, as I'm at a maxed-out level of anticipation about Wreckmania 2002 with Walter. (In other words - I'm Really Excited about it!) I'm sure I'll be appropriately appreciative of Joel Silverstein after that.

Happy Diving,

Scuba-sass :-)

[ChrisF]

Put me on the list for Wreckmania II.

I wanted come this year, but we had pretty much used up our SCUBA budget on other trips.

Please keep me informed regarding dates and cost.

[Natasha]

Hi Chris:
Glad you're interested. I know Cindy said she might make this one, and Heather will be ready since the bun will be out of the oven.
I'm hoping to have WreckmaniaII in the same resort that Wreckmania is now. This way the same wrecks can be covered.
I have now received 4 names of instructors for Cavernmania.
So I have my homework to do.
As far as Photomania I have two instructors I'm thinking about.
One is a very good friend of mine and has won an Emmy for his work on underwater photography.
The other is a friend of our dear Walter's. Hard choice, but either way, I will inform them of the cameras we hope they can cover.
As far as Joel, what makes him a scuba "God" in my eyes is the fact he has done 12 expeditions on the Andrea Doria.
I think he just might be able to teach us a few things about wrecks, eh?

[KC_Scubabunny]

Are a must for me next year. I am like many others and own an MX-10 so maybe we could have a special group of just those of us shooting with them?

Jeff does not do photography but he might be interested in Cavernmania. I will probably pass on Cavernmania, I am not too keen on really tight places. Wreck was as enclosed as I wanted to be! Besides that way I can watch the little one while Jeff does Cavernmania and he can watch him/her while I do photomania! Sounds like a plan to me!

:bunny: Heather :bunny:

[DivingGal]

With so many of the Wreckmania gang already giving a thumbs up to this diving extravaganza it sounds like we're going to have a school reunion planned --- and we haven't even attended the school yet, let alone graduated!

[Natasha]

This is going to be a diving extravaganza! And you would think it's a bit early to be talking about '03.... but guess what?
I just talked to the resort we're using Wreckmania for, and she is sold out for the dates I wanted Wreckmania II for. So it's not too early at all. And I will have to secure the resort for Key Largo soon too. July is a busy month in Florida, and books up a year or more ahead of time I was told.
So although we haven't past this July yet, we're onto next July, because we know we'll still want to dive then, and we better plan it now!

[DivingGal]

Originally posted by Natasha
This is going to be a diving extravaganza! And you would think it's a bit early to be talking about '03.... but guess what?
I just talked to the resort we're using Wreckmania for, and she is sold out for the dates I wanted Wreckmania II for. So it's not too early at all. And I will have to secure the resort for Key Largo soon too. July is a busy month in Florida, and books up a year or more ahead of time I was told.
So although we haven't past this July yet, we're onto next July, because we know we'll still want to dive then, and we better plan it now!

Ok I'm a Canadian, and typically we only head to Florida in the winter. Explain to me why Florida is busy in the summertime?

[Natasha]

Pete can probably take this one.. but since I'm here now.. I'll answer it.
Florida is a most visited state in the US all year around. When the children are out of school in the summer guess where they want to go?
Disney World. From Disney they venture all over Florida to see more of the state. So besides Orlando, and Disney, Miami, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Daytona.. and so many more cities, get a cut of the busy summer Florida business.
Hope that helped.

[Wendy]

I thought I would pass along some cavern info to those of you that have posted that you don't think you want to do it.

Cavern diving, is not diving in tiny tight little spaces. Most of the caverns in North Florida are big and you could park several tour buses in some of them! Also in cavern you are always in view of the entrance and the sunlight. There is no such thing as night time cavern diving, once the sun is gone, it is considered a cave. So caverns are just the 'mouths' of a cave system. The cavern limts are 130 linear feet from the surface and and 70' in depth.

It is excellent training and I'm sure some of you, if not all, would greatly benefit from the skills you would learn. Mainly trim and bouyancy (which comes in handy if you are a photographer I would think).

Just my $.02.

[Natasha]

Wendy:
Funny you should post. I was going to email you, and ask you to post, and explain the difference. I knew it wasn't " Cave diving" but I couldn't explain the difference as well as you did.
Thanks!
PS I wish you were an instructor!

[DivingGal]

After a few conversations and much thinking... for now Mom count me in for: Wreckmania Continues, Photomania and Cavernmania.

[sea nmf]

Natasha,

Wow. I completely overlooked this when it was first posted because of the name Cavernmania. I am interested in the Wreckmania, but more importantly, Photomania.

This will be out of Key Largo, right? There are some funky cute "motels" down there if you get a chance to check them out.

You know what my accommodation preferences are so if the resort can accommodate them, it would be a plus!

[livestodive]

Mom tenatively put Pam and I down for the wreckamania continues and cavernmania. I would love to dive the Bibb and Dwayne.

Charlie

[DennisW]

I almost missed this one as well, since I don't do deep dark holes. But the Wreckmania II and Photomania is very interesting to me. I am sure my wife, Donna will be interested as well. She doesn't mind the deep dives too much if there is a purpose. I've been on both the Duane and the Bibb, both are good dives. There are many more in the area that are good dives as well. I'll have to work this out with Donna and let you know.

[Natasha]

Thank you everyone for your interest in these future trips.
I will not be advertising them on scuba board.
So if you want to be on my private email list for 2003 trips, please email me directly so I have your personal addresses.
I'm at Natasha708@aol.com
Thanks!
PS no Pms either please.

[art.chick]

Cavernmania sounds like what I have been looking for! I am not cave/cavern certified yet, but it sounds like that's the point of the trip, to learn. Is that right?

[Natasha]

Yes, that is right. Cavern certification is what I was looking for too. I figured there must be more divers out there like me, hence the idea for the trip.
We now have quite a few people that are interested in all these trips. You will need to email me directly so I can keep you on the Coast to Coast Travel list for 2003 trips.
Thanks
Natasha708@aol.com