Quarry open in St. Cloud

[ScubaDiveandTravel]

You guys check out this story in the St. Cloud Times.  The Web address is: .  It was posted on June 7.  Take a look at it.



WAITE PARK — Several of Quarry Park and Nature Preserve’s cool, deep watering holes soon will be open to recreational scuba divers.

The Stearns County board Tuesday agreed to allow “sport” diving at some of the park’s quarries, which have attracted divers statewide for decades.

Until now, only instructional dive groups were allowed to use the park, and they were limited to two quarries.

The new policy will allow certified divers to use four of the park’s quarries on their own.

Divers must get a permit and sign a liability waiver first, said Chuck Wocken, county parks director.

The waiver warns of potential hazards, including unstable rock piles, cables, machinery and tree snags.

Divers will be required to use a flag to alert park officials of their presence, Wocken said.

Ed Hunstiger, owner of Underwater Sports Adventure of St. Cloud, said divers who trained at the park want to dive where they’re comfortable and away from boat traffic.

“It keeps newer divers in a safer environment,” he said.

Hunstiger acknowledged that while there’s a potential for injury, diving has the same accident ratio as bowling.

The quarries attract divers because they contain interesting items such as fish, sunken cars and even a sailboat.

Diving will not be allowed in Melrose Deep Seven, the park’s swimming quarry.

The new policy won’t take effect until signs are posted, probably by fall,
Wocken said.

Happy Diving!

Bonni and Ozzey
Scuba Dive and Travel