Freedive-a-palooza 2011!!!

[Whopperhead]

WHEN: July 15,16,17

WHERE: LAKE WAZEE, BLACK RIVER FALLS-WI

WHO: All Freedivers and their Families, Anyone interested in Freediving.

WHAT TO EXPECT: FUN, FREEDIVING, SPEARFISHING, CAMPING, TRUE STORIES, Not so TRUE STORIES, FOOD, LEARNING, TRY GEAR.

I have campsite #9 reserved already, It can hold 6 Tents. If someone else wants to reserve their own site - they are more than welcome to. #11 would be a 2nd choice. Everyone is responsible for bringing their own Food and Beverages. There is also Hotels near by if Camping isn't your 'thang'. There are also restaurants.

Wazee is a very DEEP and CLEAR LAKE. 355 ft deep with an average vis of 28'. It's not loaded with fish, but they do exists. There are fish cribs, Underwater Forests, Cliffs, Platforms, Lines set up (25', 60', 70', 80'), Sunken Boats and other items. For beginners: You will learn about safety and if you want to dive with other divers- this is the place to do it. There will also be all sorts of GEAR there to try.

There are other things to do at Wazee other than Dive (if your family doesn't think it sounds too fun). There are lots of Hiking/Bike Trails, 18 hole Disc Golf, Nice Beach. I plan on bringing my family. My kids are all interesting in Diving/Spearfishing, so there will be times when they will be in the water. Plus they love Camping!

What You Should Bring: All Dive Gear, Camping Gear, Food, Beverages, Cameras, Sense of Humor.

 

[BigThreeForLife]

Can I claim a tent spot in your site? I'm willing to chip in $ to cover cost.

I'll probably be coming with Dan or alone, leaving Friday after work, so won't be up there until later on Friday night ~11:00pm.

I plan on bringing beef again and some various other food items from Jays Beef.

Looking forward to it, I have a lot to learn.

Chris

 

[Waterhawk]

Save a spot for me Scott! I might even show up on Thursday. You lucky Level II'ers. Gear question for you spearos, what length float line do you use?

 

[Whopperhead]

We also have this posted on FB: You can join Wisconsin Speargun Hunters if you Wish and see what's up. We have people going to the Palooza that aren't on Deeperblue. We are also in talks with HammerHead and they may supply us with gear to try out and if people want - Purchase.

Here is the FB link: Log In | Facebook

If the link doesn't work - type in "WISCONSIN SPEARGUN HUNTERS"

 

[Whopperhead]

Gear question for you spearos, what length float line do you use?

I use 25-30'. That's really all you need for spearfishing.

 

[slimsteve]

going to see if I can get time off to go. Any Idea how much the level 2 would cost?

 

[Whopperhead]

Any Idea how much the level 2 would cost?

Working on the Details. Will let everyone know, when I hear more.

 

[Whopperhead]

We have some Door Prizes donated by HammerHead to give away at the Palooza!! Has anyone reserved Site 11? If you know you are for sure coming? Otherwise I may see if it's still available, just to make sure we have room for everyone.

 

[BigThreeForLife]

Scott,

I'm for sure coming, if you reserve it I will pay you for the site.

Chris

 

[Whopperhead]

I've been in TALKS with Mark Lozano of FII (Martin Stepanek) We thought it would be good to offer a LEVEL 1 course. It's only a Day and a half and you will be able to get your breath hold to 3 minutes and be able to dive to 66 feet. Which if you are mainly interested in Spearfishing - this is the course for you. Mark is going to set up the course on FII web page (F.I.I. Freediving Instructors International - from the beginner to the instructor) where you can sign up for the class and pay your deposit. I believe the class will run about $400. We have to cover the cost for Mark to come out here. To give you an idea of how good of a deal this is- It cost me around $2,000 to go to Florida and take a 4 day course. As of right now the Course will be limited to 8 people, If he can get his assistant on board we can bump the numbers up to 16.

The whole course can be done at WAZEE and we are looking at July 14th (Thursday) and July 15th (Friday) for those interested in the Level 1 Course. I already have one campsite reserved and will call to reserve another- just to make sure.

The Level 1 course isn't like the Level 1 course that was offered when I took Level 2 with FIT - This is a Up Graded version and in my opinion - More Practical. I think anyone who enjoys Spearfishing and wants to make sure they are doing it safely, and improve your skills - should take this class!! For Spearfishing our area - being able to dive to 66 ft is more than enough. Most of the fish we shoot are in 30ft or less of water anyways.

Ask questions - and give Mark a day or two to get the course set up on FII web page.

We need at least 6 people signed up and their deposits by July 1st.

This is a rare opportunity - that a Freediving Course is offered in Wisconsin - not sure when this opportunity will happen again.

 

[Whopperhead]

Here's the link to sign up for the Class - I highly recommend this and it's limited to 8 people.

F.I.I. Freediving Instructors International - from the beginner to the instructor

 

[BigThreeForLife]

I'd love to do the course, but won't be able to get off work... I'll see everyone up there on Friday evening.

Chris

 

[slimsteve]

Well work is being unreasonable, well kind of, Even though I haven't requested a day off in 8 months, I think, and gave them 5 week notice for time off it does not appear I will get off for dive-a-palooza. I haven't given up yet though. Next tatic is to bribe a fellow employee to cover. :vangry

 

[Whopperhead]

You should really try guys- This Class is worth every penny and I'm not sure when an opportunity like this is coming to the mid-west again. Try to pull some strings. It'll be something you remember the rest of your life.

 

[Waterhawk]

My deposit for the course is in. No way I was passing up that deal, Thanks Scott!

 

[slimsteve]

I am crying in my beer for sure. Things got even more unlikely I'll be able to attend as someone just transferred out of my department and they are not going to replace them. Going to have to scheme harder I guess.

 

[fishstick22]

im going to plan to come up sat evening, how much does the lake charge for spots and is there a charge for diving?

 

[Whopperhead]

no charge for Diving because we are FREEDIVING - You only pay if you scuba.

I'm not sure what the charge is for camping- if you use one of our sites we already have. We can have 6 tents per site. They may still charge you for camping if you mention it to them. But they already charged me for the site.

 

[cigarlung]

Wish i could attend have been 2 times second time i had so much fun got a baby girl nine months after something about cold water diving good for vital organ function

 

[Whopperhead]

I have 2 sites Reserved now. Should have plenty of Room. Site 9 & 11 For Thursday-Sunday.