GUE Fundie Classes & Amazing dive experiences in Jan & Feb 2011 Ft Lauderdale

[Errol Kalayci]

Need to recheck flights to Palm Beach, but hopefully we can find something that works. It is possible to take trirail from Fort Lauderdale up to Palm Beach then short cab. If it works out, I would pick you up but probably wont have time since I have class going on but may be able to arrange that for you. I want to make this special so may have a buddy able to pick you up.

A few questions:

(1) Are all the dives in the recreational range (say max 100')? Yes, the dive for Hole in the Wall is a little deeper but it is a great reef dive that you can stay above 100' Entrance to Hole in Wall is 110' and dumps out at 130-140fsw. That is only deeper option but dive groups will stay on top while some go through the "cave" then meet back up on top of reef
(2) Any estimates for charter costs? $50-60 I believe with tanks and weights, waiting for confirmation
(3) Cylinder rentals and gas fills (32%)? Included in charter or will take care of logistics for you
(4) Any plans for a night dive on Fri (I think this had been mentioned earlier)? Probably
(5) Any plans in place for those wanting to arrive a day early and dive on Friday as well? Yes. Dan Volker from South Florida Dive Journal will guide and arrange the dives, some other out of town divers are definately doing this as I have spoke to them already.
(6) Is a rental car going to be needed? Seemed like we could get away without in Ft Lauderdale, but I've no idea about PB. You could probably get away without one, especially if you fly into Palm Beach as all activities are at the hotel and boat is like 2 minutes away so you can hop ride with someone for sure. Maybe we will even have a van shuttle for everyone or whatever.

Thanks!

 

[Rainer]

Great! Will talk it over with Jen tonight and see if we can't make it (I know she really wants to go).

Have a great Thanksgiving!

 

[SelkieDVM]

Wow, how fortuitous that I happened to reschedule my Fundamentals class for that week in February! I've been itching for a chance to train with Bob again. Combine that with the opportunity to meet and dive with some of the folks I most admire here on SB, and I'd call that serendipity for sure. I'll definitely be sticking around for the weekend dives, I just hope I won't be too exhausted! Thanks, Errol, for you efforts in putting this all together.

PS: I'll be driving down from Virginia (call me crazy) and will be happily volunteer my SUV to help shuttle gear and divers.

Lilla

 

[Errol Kalayci]

Great news from the Hotel, we negotiated the rates we hoped for and the place is awesome right on the ocean in Singer Island. Further, they will let us do our nightly video review and presentations there as well. Will have the codes tomorrow and will post all the details then before I leave for the GUE Conference in Mexico on Thursday morning.
Errol

 

[elvisisalive]

Well I registered for the February Fundies couse in West Palm today. Errol and Bob have been extremely helpful with the details. Looking to book flights soon as I will be flying out of Massachusettes. Who all is coming out for the fun dives and how long are you staying to dive? I can stay till Thursday if people are gonna be around to dive with, otherwise I will fly back on Monday.

Elvis

 

[TSandM]

IIRC, we're flying in on the 17th, and planning to go home on Tuesday or Wednesday (22nd or 23rd?)

 

[Errol Kalayci]

Hello,
I am leaving for Mexico first thing in the morning. As promised I have the hotel code available. The Palm Beach Airport is your first choice to fly into followed by Fort Lauderdale (40 minutes further away). The Fundy class and Fun dives will be based out of the Hilton on Singer Island. We have a special rate at the hotel for anyone coming to the Fundies Class or the DIR Adventure dives. Please call the Hilton Reservation number 561-472-0316 and ask for Nicole Nie... Each diver coming should say they are in the GUE/DIR Adventure Dive Group. We will have the classroom portion of Fundies and the Video review each night at the Hotel. If you stay there, you don’t really need a car. The boat and Brownie’s dive shop are not that far away and I hope to borrow the Brownie van to help with short commute. The dive details are not ready yet but believe me they will be great. Everything should be set before I return from Mexico and then I just need to drive up there and verify the details before announcing. Dan from South Florida Dive Journal (South Florida Dive Journal > Home) is working hard on those details for me. Each night of Fun/Adventure dives we plan to review video of the dives and have some free presentations from Bob, me and special guest(s). This will be the first of many great things we have planned for the future. I encourage all of you to come if interested and book your hotel asap as the more people that do the more special things they may throw in for us as well. Please email me after registering with the Hotel so we can keep in contact and I will know how many to expect and get you set up with boats as well. My email is errol@tdsdivers.com If you are not a Fundy student in that class, please email me your certification level, email, phone, name and a very brief description of your dive experience and what you want to do on the dives or special requests such as dpv or whatever so I can square everything away in advance for you. Please also send your t-shirt size as I hope to have give aways, etc.
Regards,
Errol

 

[HenrikBP]

Just to confirm, it is West Palm Beach airport - PBI that is the closest? I'm trying to make this happen for me.

Henrik
(... not that familiar with FL )

 

[jenth]

Thanks, Errol, for gathering all this info and setting this up! It's really starting to sound like a lot of fun!

Chris and I are figuring out the details and if we can really make it work...we're hoping to get there the night of the 17th and head back the morning of the 21st...for 3 solid days of diving!

 

[Scott L]

Just to confirm, it is West Palm Beach airport - PBI that is the closest? I'm trying to make this happen for me.

Henrik
(... not that familiar with FL )

PBI airport is in West Palm Beach. It is 50 miles closer to the hotel than Ft Lauderdale. Only 10 miles from the airport to the hotel. You will love every aspect of this trip. Singer Island is beautiful...