Sand Dog 2.0

[simonbeans]

It begins today!!!
Compressor team up and running:

[simonbeans]

REMEMBER MEET AND GREET TODAY AT THE HOST MOTEL (the best western) at 5 PM

[antique diver]

It begins today!!!
Compressor team up and running:

Very nice setup. You're going to make a lot of friends this week!

[SeaHuntJerry]

Have a great time!

[simonbeans]

Part of the Sand Dog 2.0 group as some participants had to leave early.


More FL spring diving today.

[simonbeans]

A great memory maker, complements of the event coordinator, Roger Van Frankoooo.

One of the many raffle prizes given by participants and THESCUBAMUSEUM.COM

[simonbeans]

A few pics, more to follow:

[simonbeans]

The Rainbow River drift dive may not be deep, but viz is outstanding.

[simonbeans]

Headed down to go into Paradise Spring.

[1969ivan1]

It was great to see old friends and to make new ones. The diving was fun and North Florida clear. There is already talk of next year and where we should have it? Some suggestions were Lauderdale by the sea, Coz, Bonaire, Caracal, and The Thousand Islands. Stay tuned for developments and more pics. I even posted some raw video footage on The Scuba Museum Facebook page.

[SurfLung]

My Sand Dog 2.0 Memories...
- Wow... What a good time we had. Just the right amount of diving, equipment showing off, and visiting. I got to the hotel exactly one full day early but as I was walking in from the parking lot, I spotted two guys looking at an equipment bin and handling Healthways double hose regulators. It was James (#2) and Mike. I knew James from Forum discussions but Mike is now a new friend. Next morning I saw three guys with Scuba Museum dive shirts eating breakfast... It was Greg Barlow, George Fee, and Mark! They were going diving at Devils Den but I had a chance to say hello before they left. This was Wednesday the arrival day for most of us. My wife Jill and I spent the day scoping out Devils Den and Blue Grotto springs.
- Wednesday evening was the Meet and Greet with details of Sand Dog 2.0 events. Everyone was there including James #1 and James #2... My buddy Jeff Vaughn from up in Michigan with his folks. Itinerary was as follows:
Day 1 We dive at Alexander Spring, eat a nice hot dog lunch provided by our hosts Roger, Allan, Ann, Rob, and Barb. DIY Evening
Day 2 We do a Drift Dive down Rainbow River. On our own for lunch. And, awards banquet that evening at Allan and Ann's house.
Day 3 Spring Dive at Paradise Spring... I missed that one as we headed home that morning.

Alexander Spring
- This is a wide, shallow swimming area with a two car garage sized spring that goes down 15-20 feet. Very clear (and warm)... I took off my wet suit after the first dive. I dove three different regulators. Jeff dove his new Mini-Triple Tank rig. Some dove vintage single hoses regs. Everyone had a reason and a story for the gear they dove... A great place to show our gear and visit as well as an easy enough dive location.

Above are Greg Barlow, George Fee, and Mark.

Above are Mike and James #2

Above are our hosts for Lunch... Roger, Rob, Allan and Dan (back by the trailer)

Rainbow River Float Dive
- This one we took a Pontoon Water Taxi upstream on the Rainbow River. He dropped us off and left us to float back down to the exit point.
- I wasn't listening and thought we'd have the boat keeping pace with us and just climb out and ride when we ran out of air. So I took my little 38 ci tank. OOPs... That little thing lasts 40 minutes at 12-16 ft deep lake dives. Oh well I have my little emergency CO2 vest so not to worry. Well the current floats you along up and down from surface to 6-10 feet deep. I just went with the flow and finally ran out of air only 100 yds from the exit!
- When we all finally met back up in the parking lot, Jeff Vaughn took this picture...

- Afterwards back at the hotel, Jeff, James #2, and I met by the pool to talk Vintage... I was a little late and James was showing Jeff some parts he made to upgrade the famous Hope-Page mouthpiece. Then it turns out he 3D Printed an exact clone of the Hope-Page...


Sand Dog 2.0 Banquet
- We all met for Pizza and drinks at Allan and Ann's house. Roger brought in a bunch of excellent pizza. Others brought beer, wine, soft drinks, etc. Really an nice gathering of good friends out in the beautiful fresh air of Florida. We had a great drawing... Scuba Museum gave away several of it's new products. James #1 gave away some Voit Duck Fins, Roger had some collector disks of early PADI scuba instruction. Allan's neighbor contributed a hand painted SCUBA lamp. And James #1 was drawn for the Sand Dog Snark III regulator.

Above Rob of Scuba Museum gave away several of the new "Diverter" mouthpieces.
- And if all that wasn't enough, Dan set up and projected some episodes of Sea Hunt on an outdoor screen!
- The next day, Jill and I left for Minnesota and 4:30 AM... AARGH! Two days at 13 hours and wee're now back in Minnesota.

[simonbeans]

These photos were taken by David Haas.

[SeaHuntJerry]

Looks like you guys had lots of fun!

[rhwestfall]

Outstanding, but where is the "youth"?

[swimjim]

Pretty sweet! Looks like a grand success!