Blue Springs dive Report

[socaldiver]

Well, I got my indoctrination today of diving in one of the Florida springs, Blue Springs. I will get to the details of the dive in a minute but first I want to thank a few people.

Thanks Bob for taking the time to go with me today. Bob and I met early this morning and made the trek to Blue Springs.We stopped along the way and had breakfast which gave us a chance to get acquainted. Folks, this is a really good guy. I enjoyed our conversation and only hope I didn't talk his ear off too much.

When we arrived at Blue Springs it was about 10:45 (we were hoping to be there around 10:30). After walking down to the water entry to check the site out we went back up to the parking lot and geared up. Unbeknownst to us at the time, we saw 2 divers geared up walking down the trail towards the entry. When we finally got in the water this couple was heading out. It turned out to be Sharpenu and JustJules. They are very nice people as well, and were kind enough to escort Bob and I back to the water hole and give us a little info into what we could expect.

The four of us descended into the hole and checked things out. I enjoyed getting wet today and meeting Bob, sharpenu and JustJules however, I wish there would have been a little more marine life to see or maybe some other points of interest. But, I am not going to complain because I still had fun. The water temp was 72 and I had a chance to try out my new 1 piece 3 mil. Plus, the dive was cheap. It cost $5 for the dive and yesterday when I went to get my tank filled it only cost $2.78. I can live with that.

I took some pics and hope to find a place tomorrow to get them developed and I will then scan them and post as soon as possible.

This could be the start of the Florida version of the Texas Swamp divers

 

[Bob]

We had a nice dive today. This was my first dive in Blue Spring and it was a interesting dive. This was also my first dive with my new Ranger. I had some trim problems at first, but after some adjustments, the trim issues were resolved and the remainder of the dive went well. It was nice to meet Sharpenu and JustJules also, just didn't get to visit or dive with them enough. Dave is one of the good guys to, we are both looking forward to Bonaire in September. We may be diving at Boynton Beach in two weeks, any takers? The more the merrier.:tree:Bob

We need to organize a Florida branch of the Neptune Divers. Anyone interested?

 

[diverjohnz]

if ya dont mind post the directions to the spring I have dove most of them down there and missed that one and $2.78 for a tank fill thats a new one to me .........john

 

[NAUTICAL NOBLE]

Sorry I could not go ...........did the 12 foot dive at seminole pool, going through the master diver course ,they bumped it up one week ........called and talked to Dave.........I hated to miss a dive 10 min from my home

 

[JustJules]

It was great meeting socaldiver and Bob. I'm glad we bumped into them in the water, since our timing was off! I wish I could have stayed to visit longer. Unfortunately, until I get a warmer wetsuit, I require a very warm surface interval between dives or else my second dive has to be cut short.

I'm always up for diving in Boynton Beach, so please let me know about which weekend you choose. We're diving in Pompano on the 10th (or the 16th... I'm going to get that date firmed up when my LDS opens on Monday morning), and it would be great if any of you could come along.

Bob, I'm glad you got more comfortable with the new BC. I will be curious to hear how you like it after you get a few more dives with it and it becomes second nature!

socaldiver, you sometimes do get to see some marine life around Blue Springs, but not down in the hole. My understanding is that there's not enough oxygen in the water coming directly from the aquifer to support fish, etc. Usually, you can go further downstream than we could yesterday (they block it off because of the manatees), and you can see schools of fish, etc. Not to mention that you can get out of the water much closer to where you left your car!!

What would a Florida branch of the Neptune Divers entail? And, more important, what would it be called? I mean, we aren't swamp divers, so we have to come up with our own creative name...

Julie

 

[The Chairman]

that ya'll had a great time!!! I would love to do Boyton in two weeks, but the entire month of February is TIED up with my Instructor's class. (boo-hoo)

As for our name... The Mickey Mouse Divers, Hi-vis divers, All year divers, Central Florida Warm Water Wimps (would have to get permission from Walter for that one), Fl Spring Divers, Central Fl Manatees, or otters, or gators, or whatever aquatic life you would like to choose... I think I prefer the CFWWW, it has that collective self deprecating humor thing going for it. Oh yeah, I forgot... the "We Ain't in Texas and are proud of it" divers...

And yes, my favorite stretch IS between the two swimming holes. There is a TON of aquatic life stuffed in there... you just have to look.

 

[JustJules]

Come on, Pete, we couldn't be gators. That would be excluding any former Florida panhandle residents who might follow college football teams from that region, if you know what I mean.

I kind of like CFWWW... but this is an endorsement coming from someone who was trying on 7mm suits yesterday afternoon at the LDS for use in Florida waters!

 

[socaldiver]

Oh Petey,

That would be nice but wouldn't that exclude the counterparts to the north and southern portions of the state? Florida does have swamps though, true? So maybe we could be the "Florida Swamp Things", Hurricane Alley Divers (or maybe to be politically correct - Himacane Alley Divers).

I am sure that there is more to see in the spring than what we got to see yesterday, and I wouldn't mind going back there at a later date, but for now, there are too many other spots to see.
As the old saying goes, "I have places to go, people to see and things to do".

Jules, I think you can pencil me in for either the 10th or the 16th, I won't know until sometime this coming week whether I can for sure but I definitely would like to do it. Bob and I are taking about going south the weekend after next.

Chris, sorry you and Pete couldn't make it but I am sure we will have a chance to do it some other time.

John, I would have to defer directions to the springs to the locals from that area. I only know that you take the Deland exit off I-4 and follow the signs. It actually was quite easy to find. I believe if you look on the map, Deland will be about 25 to 30 miles north, northeast of Orlando, but I may be off on the mileage a little.

 

[diverjohnz]

thanxs that gives me a place to look for some reason I have never heard of that one but lucky for me its a easy (nitrogen) fix
diverjohnz

 

[Bob]

To All
Maybe we could be the "Florida Spring Divers"? Our motto might be, "We dive with Gators"? Any thoughts/ideas?:tree:Bob

Jules: After one dive I can tell you that the Ranger is the most comfortable BC I've ever worn. Please keep me in mind for Pompano, I would like to go along, if it will be OK with the rest.