Thanks Ladydiver:
This Mobby's Drysyte is an interesting idea. There aren't many opportunities to see drysuits in N. Texas. We don't have that many dealers, and when you do find a dealer they sell so few drysuits that they don't keep any in stock to look at. When I was shopping for a drysuit a few years ago the only suit available to look at was the Mobby's (since their US distributor is local) until the DUI rep made a trip through the area with their product line in tow. My first drysuit dive was in the suit I bought. When I dive locally in my suit it's not uncommon to run into divers who have never seen a drysuit and don't know what it is. The Drysyte program could be a good opportunity for local divers to be introduced to drysuit diving.
With its wide temperature variations and distinct thermoclines Clear Springs Scuba Park is a good place to try a drysuit, but I can't wait to see how they will work this. The owners and operators of the park don't dive. They have a close relationship with a bunch of local shops, but are the shops (or Mobby's) going to provide free instructors for the new drysuit divers? In their press release on Scuba Source Mobby's says, "The concept is like letting a diver test drive a car before they make a purchase." Hmmm, let's carry that analogy further. Last I checked, an unlicensed driver who had never even seen a car before would not be given the keys to take a solo test drive on the open road. Drysuit diving is unlike wetsuit diving. It requires skills that must be taught and learned. It'll be interesting to see how they provide instruction.
Bill
