DUI Demo Days at Dutch Springs

[Tavi]

Okay gang,
May 20&21
Who's going??
Who's going with DD??
If you're going with DD, you need to call and register!!

Dutch Springs
DUI's page
Discover Diving

It's going to be a lot of fun!! I hope to see some, or all........ yeah right of you there!!

 

[Firediver32]

How much crap will I hear about showing up in my Whites dry suit though?

 

[diverbrian]

How much crap will I hear about showing up in my Whites dry suit though?

You could do it like me. I bring my Andy's along in case they are too backed up and dive the suits and undies that DUI has there. My Andy's has always stayed in the bag . My buddy always needs to get fitted anyways, so I might as well go through line with her.

BTW, I am paid up with the tickets in my freezer .

 

[Tavi]

How much crap will I hear about showing up in my Whites dry suit though?

Probably not much at all.

I'd still check out the DUI's though.

 

[Firediver32]

My wife and I are discussing going, a few more questions though... I do not have a dry suit c card but have my own suit, would dutch springs require someone to produce a dry suit card in order to dive? My wife has never been in a dry suit, would there be a chance of her trying a dry suit there for the first time? And like everything it depends on the ole budget and work.....

Dan

 

[yukoneer]

Also, how does Demo Day work? do I have a say in trying out whatever I want for all day or within a specific time period?

I also don't have a drysuit c-card, but I am experienced using one (my drysuit's a old DUI cf300x).

*edit: I just read that... certified drysuit divers have the free will to dive anywhere/anytime, however divers that don't have a drysuit c-card have to be escorted.. blah!

 

[piikki]

My buddy always needs to get fitted anyways, so I might as well go through line with her.

I'll sneak this question in here... I am debating going to either Boston or DS Demo. I am a first timer at DUI Demo Days. Could anyone give an idea how 'bad' it gets with the fitting and suiting in the beginning usually? Does half a day go into lining up/waiting for suits? Is it better to arrive at certain times or just start up as early on Sat as possible? Any strategies? Trying to decide if to go for 1 or 2 days, and how many dips one might actually get in. I will be needing a babysitter since I am not certed/experienced drysuiter, so that will be another limitation.
Thankses for you experienced Demo'ers

 

[diverbrian]

From my experience, the fitting time is relatively painless. On Sunday, it is even more quick as much of the crowd is gone. Once the line starts moving, you are likely looking at 1/2 hr. wait or so on the busy times.

My buddy and I generally get in two dives on Saturday and one dive on Sunday morning. My advice is to get there as early as possible. This goes double if you are not of a standard size. The fact that DUI has ZIP seals helps the fitting process as they can fit you into a suit of your body size and worry about the seals after the fact. As my wrists are a little large, that helps me immensely.

They provide the "babysitters" if you don't have a drysuit cert. That is part of getting people into drysuits. This allows non-experienced drysuit people to experience what a drysuit is like .

I won't publicly state my experience on drysuit experienced, but non-drysuit certed divers. But, they never checked my C-Card for a drysuit cert in the two years that I have done this. Again though, they are typically more strict on this the first day than the second day.

Oh, and you pick what type of undies and drysuit that you wish try out. I am generally more interested in trying out the different insulation than the drysuit as I like my current drysuit but don't care for the undergarments. I generally dive the CF200 if they have it my size.

 

[Tavi]

Dan,

Yes, of course your wife can try a drysuit for the first time. That's part of what demo days is all about!!

All,

Brian pretty much answered the rest of the questions.

I don't know for sure, but my guess would be that if you have a bunch of logged drysuit dives, you probably don't need the cert, or you go with the babysitter for the first dive and they may let you go after that.

It's possible to get in 6 or 8 dives a day. It's up to you and how much you want to dive vs visit. Last year I worked mornings, and still got in 3 dives in the afternoon.

Being early helps!! If you are in town on Friday night stop and register at the gate. It'll save you a long, long line getting into the park in the morning. Once you're in, the line at the DUI tent isn't bad at all.

 

[ScubaJW]

I see that we are "required" to have a babysitter for us without certification. I am experienced with my drysuit, it's DUI FLX50/50 SS.

Anyway, I am curious, do they usually give you the sale value for the drysuit? I am looking for a new one, so I will sell my old one.