BSAC Divers around Orlando

[sutherlandpj]

Hi
I am going to Orlando in April and want to get some diving but Amy Slater is at Key Largo - 6 hours drive away. Anyone know someone closer as would like to get practical dives in for Sports Diver (Done theory OK).
Pam

[Alison Boler]

Hi Pam
I don't know of any BSAC schools or clubs around Orlando. My advice would be:
1. Get in touch with Amy and see if she has any suggestions. You're right, it's a long way from Orlando - too far for a day - but would you be up for a weekend? You could crack off 4 dives that way. Possibly, she - or one of her instructors - would be willing to come up to you - always worth asking. I don't know how many she has or anything.
2. Try posting a message here http://dive.scubadiving.com/tripfinder/main.php/results/view/Florida Scroll down to get to the bulletin board part of the page. This is a very popular site for US divers and I know the Florida group is very active. You may find a BSAC instructor who is resident out there and belongs to a mixed club who would be willing to do the dives. There are some great inland sites around Orlando, especially around the Crystal River and the springs. Obviously, some of these are closed off for cave divers - it's very obvious so don't worry. But, some of them are very good for training. Look in the report section on a dive we did in 2004 on Ginnie Springs
http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/reports/floridaginnie.htm
Great training location as well as most interesting dive. There are lots of others around there too. Slightly further afield but not anywhere near as far as the Keys, there is superb diving around West Palm Beach. We dived there too http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/reports/floridawpb.htm and I can't recommend either the diving or Pura Vida Divers enough. I think it would be about 2 hours drive from Orlando, maybe just over. Unfortunately, they are not BSAC affiliated so can't do your training dives.
On a slightly different non training note, have you thought of having a go at the Disney Divequest experience?? Qualified divers can have a dive in the Living Seas tank within the Epcot park. It's a bit pricey, but by all accounts quite an amazing experience.
Good luck and I hope you have some luck.

Allie

[James - Narked@50]

Hi Pam

I looked at this area a couple of years ago and ended up driving to Gorgia to go cave diving!

There is nothing in the area and the east coast is quite exposed and unpredictable at that time of year. If I were you, I'd forget the qualification dives and drive over to Crystal River, you can go snorkelling with Manates there and take the family with you, you won't regret it.

James

[raypeck]

Definitely try and do the Inland Sea at Picot, make sure family have Video Cams etc for the moment. About 14 of us dived there 5 years ago and it was really good. The fish life is good but it is when you realize you are part of the Disney show the fun kicks in.
Have a great time.

[Richard Whitcombe]

On a slightly different non training note, have you thought of having a go at the Disney Divequest experience?? Qualified divers can have a dive in the Living Seas tank within the Epcot park. It's a bit pricey, but by all accounts quite an amazing experience.

I did this last July. Its worth it for a one off experience. Max depth is about 25ft and you can access about 75% of the aquarium (Dolphin section is fenced off). The marine life is OK but by far the most entertaining thing is playing with the people the other side of the glass and scaring the hell out of people eating in the coral reef restaurant on the other side. Its quite odd to see a line of 20-30 people pointing at you through glass. They supply all the kit (you can take your own mask if you want but thats it). Walking through the living seas to the entrance wearing a shorty attracts attention off everyone too. And its freezing walking through the air conditioned public building back to the "backstage" area...