FREEDIVE-A-PALOOZA 2005

[Freedive WI]

Fred,

Let's go with July 23 and 24 for next years Freedive-A-Palooza. That should give everyone plenty of time to plan ahead.

I have also been talking to Grant Graves, president of the USAA, and we might put in a regional competition along with it.

Depth for constant ballast should be no probelm and I believe we can get enough safety divers to cover it. The main thing we need are divers who are on mix for the spots below 100', this can be OC or rebreather, and people on the gas of their choice for the spots above 100'. The other main concern that Grant posed was that these divers can actually assist at these depths and that they are not down their in "survival mode". I guess that means they have been certified to do those dives for a period of time and are very comfortable in doing so. I can't imagine needing support divers deeper than around 170'- depending upon who shows up. Actually, it could be more like around 130', if it's just the locals.

Another area would be a local pool to use, for the competition part, for Sunday. I guess trying to run dynamics in openwater isn't as fair to the no-fin's contestents.

Insurance requirements should be figured out at DEMA and we will still need to get some judges here.

Anyway, as far as the recreational side goes, I think we'll leave the kayaks home this year and make room for more scooters! 8) Lots of fins, wetsuits, and spearguns will be there as well- as well as the underwater shooting range which worked out so well this past year.

Tell me your thoughts....

Jon