[cappyjon431]

Just a reminder, the Scuba Club meets on the first Wednesday of every month at the Laurel Manor rec Center at 7:00 PM in the Jefferson Room. Next meeting is Wednesday, June 6th.

In addition to conducting regular business, we will be looking for folks interested in upcoming dive trips (planning a trip to New Smyrna Beach on Saturday, June 9th for wreck diving and a scalloping trip in July). We will also have a guest presentation on our recent trip to Cayman Brac.

Our club is now putting a much stronger emphasis on organizing monthly trips for local diving as well as a number of upcoming trips to tropical locales.

Lets go diving!

[scubamann]

Hi jon,
my name is marlin and i will be visiting the villages with my family the last week of july. We have four divers and would like some insite on diving. I have looked at the web site for manatee central and crystal river watersports. We would like to dive with the manatees and dive the blue grotto. We have our basic dive gear fins, mask. Snorkel. Is it best to rent the other gear (tanks, reg, etc.) from the tour provider or rent from a dive shop and dive on our own? Would appreciate any info you may provide.

Thanks,
marlin

[cappyjon431]

Hi Marlin,

In Crystal River I always recommend American Pro Diving on SR-19. They run a first class operation. Sean Bradley is their course director--tell him "hi" for me (we worked on a liveaboard together in the Bahamas for many years) and he will take great care of you. Be aware that manatee season is during winter months--you will see a some manatees but not the large congregations you will see in Jan./Feb. also be aware that most operators do not allow diving with manatees, only snorkeling (it is a violation of Florida Freshwater Game and Fish laws).

Blue Grotto is a lot of fun, as is Devil's Den right across the street. Both have decent rental gear so I would probably rent it from them (it's easier).

If you happen to be in The Villages the first Wednesday in August we have our monthly scuba club meeting at the Laurel Manner Rec Center at 7:00 PM. You can meet our members and we usually have excellent guest speakers/presentations. You can also check out our club Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/272268682854434/) and maybe find some additional dive buddies.


Let me know if you have any further questions,

Jon

Let me know if you have any questions.

[scubamann]

Thanks for the info, very helpfull.

Regards,
Marlin Mann

[gmcneill]

cappyjon!!

I am pleased to see that you are still connected to TOTV. I, and others, have missed seeing your posts. Apparently, you've just been busy living the dream!

But don't be a such a stranger to these parts.

That said, it's good to know that you're hanging around kicking and breathing, even if you do those things mostly underwater.

George

[Dreamer61]

Does the scuba club allow beginners and do they still meet the first Wednesday of each month? Thanks!

[cappyjon431]

Yes, we encourage beginners and we still meet the first Wednesday of the month.