Freedive-A-Plaooza is back on for 2009!:friday:friday:friday
WHEN: July 23-26, 2009
WHERE: Lake Wazee, Wisconsin
Here's a write-up from the first year I ran it: Freedive-A-Palooza by Jon Zeaman on DeeperBlue.com
After the moderators (Finally) removed some nastiness from Deeper Blue I feel comfortable running it again. This will be the 5th, or is it 6th, year that it's run and is always a great time.
In the past we have had close to 40 divers in the water at once- and well over 60 people in the campground with us. Divers have come from such far away places as Florida, California, Texas, and all parts of the Midwest. I assume that this year will be no different.
The place is Lake Wazze- clearest and deepest lake in the grand state of Wisconsin. Depths range on down to 319'. Water temps will be in the high 70's, to low 80's, above 35' and cooler than I care to mention once you drop below that.:blackeye
There are underwater forests, training lines, fish cribs, rock walls, and even a sunken boat to explore. It may not be the Red Sea, but the company will more than make up for the the lack of saltwater. Spearfishing is allowed, but don't expect to shoot any State records there. It is a good place to sight in your gun, try out someone elses, or give a sling a try. We have set up underwater shooting ranges in the past, and more than a few fish have come out of this lake in previous years.
I would also bring a light if you have one as we always go for at least one night dive during the the weekend- to cool off if nothing else! Wetsuits in the 3mm variety will be more than sufficent, but people are encouraged to birng whatever they have- I've seen people dive in everything from 6mm's to Fred in his underwear. rofl
I'll have my counter ballast system up there, along with a few lanyards, and feel fine spotting people down to the end of my line- 120'. If you have a longer line and want to bring it I would encourage you to do so. There is to be no solo diving during this event, and I promise no one there safety- this isn't a contest and there's no way I can watch 40+ people at once.
Having said that, we do have a perfect safety record and more than a few people have set PB's. The only injury ever witnessed wasn't even one of our freedivers, but a scuba student I had to resuce in the middle of our line dives one year- I don't know who her instructor was, but we got her in to shore as fast as we could and she got to fly away in a pretty helicopter.:crutch
There is group camping right at the lake and I will be staying there. It is rustic and has no hot showers or flush toilets- so my wife will not be staying there.rofl When they ever get around to upgrading their facilities she may decide to join us again, but until that time I get to have a dive weekend to myself. There are a number of other camprgrounds, and hotels, in the area- as well as plenty of nice places to eat.
In the past we have had many different dealers send up demo gear for su to try and I hope that will the case again this year. If not, we will have moer than enough (different) gear for people to try just by combining Fred's dive locker and mine. Expect to be able to try out everything from monofins to dive scooters.
There is no mandatory pre-registration for this event, but a post to this thread, or a private email to me, would be appreciated! Cost is free, but your on your own for food and camping. Make sure to tell the park staff on the way in thatr your just a snorkler and you'll even get out of the $10 diver fee.
Hope to see you there,
Jon
WHEN: July 23-26, 2009
WHERE: Lake Wazee, Wisconsin
Here's a write-up from the first year I ran it: Freedive-A-Palooza by Jon Zeaman on DeeperBlue.com
After the moderators (Finally) removed some nastiness from Deeper Blue I feel comfortable running it again. This will be the 5th, or is it 6th, year that it's run and is always a great time.
In the past we have had close to 40 divers in the water at once- and well over 60 people in the campground with us. Divers have come from such far away places as Florida, California, Texas, and all parts of the Midwest. I assume that this year will be no different.
The place is Lake Wazze- clearest and deepest lake in the grand state of Wisconsin. Depths range on down to 319'. Water temps will be in the high 70's, to low 80's, above 35' and cooler than I care to mention once you drop below that.:blackeye
There are underwater forests, training lines, fish cribs, rock walls, and even a sunken boat to explore. It may not be the Red Sea, but the company will more than make up for the the lack of saltwater. Spearfishing is allowed, but don't expect to shoot any State records there. It is a good place to sight in your gun, try out someone elses, or give a sling a try. We have set up underwater shooting ranges in the past, and more than a few fish have come out of this lake in previous years.
I would also bring a light if you have one as we always go for at least one night dive during the the weekend- to cool off if nothing else! Wetsuits in the 3mm variety will be more than sufficent, but people are encouraged to birng whatever they have- I've seen people dive in everything from 6mm's to Fred in his underwear. rofl
I'll have my counter ballast system up there, along with a few lanyards, and feel fine spotting people down to the end of my line- 120'. If you have a longer line and want to bring it I would encourage you to do so. There is to be no solo diving during this event, and I promise no one there safety- this isn't a contest and there's no way I can watch 40+ people at once.
Having said that, we do have a perfect safety record and more than a few people have set PB's. The only injury ever witnessed wasn't even one of our freedivers, but a scuba student I had to resuce in the middle of our line dives one year- I don't know who her instructor was, but we got her in to shore as fast as we could and she got to fly away in a pretty helicopter.:crutch
There is group camping right at the lake and I will be staying there. It is rustic and has no hot showers or flush toilets- so my wife will not be staying there.rofl When they ever get around to upgrading their facilities she may decide to join us again, but until that time I get to have a dive weekend to myself. There are a number of other camprgrounds, and hotels, in the area- as well as plenty of nice places to eat.
In the past we have had many different dealers send up demo gear for su to try and I hope that will the case again this year. If not, we will have moer than enough (different) gear for people to try just by combining Fred's dive locker and mine. Expect to be able to try out everything from monofins to dive scooters.
There is no mandatory pre-registration for this event, but a post to this thread, or a private email to me, would be appreciated! Cost is free, but your on your own for food and camping. Make sure to tell the park staff on the way in thatr your just a snorkler and you'll even get out of the $10 diver fee.
Hope to see you there,
Jon
