Posted by MHK on June 21, 2001 at 09:57:17:
In Reply to: Why Shouldn't I Attend? posted by CarolB on June 20, 2001 at 21:49:34:
Carol,
First off I want to thank everyone for the support and the kind words..
And secondly I want to clear up the record about the BBQ.. As of right now were in the process of obtaining permission to use a BBQ at Casino Point. The initial word came back about some liability concerns but we are working hard to get permission. Don Lake, who spends a great deal of time on the island has agreed to spearhead the effort so let us work through the issue and we'll do our best..
Now to the salient issues.. As of right now I will be joined with Terry May, Kendall Raine, Pat Farina & Jeff Highley ( I've yet to hear back from Walker or Colburn but my sense is they will make it).. That being said, we are offering over 100 years of diving experience and over 10,000 dives of experience for free.. We want NOTHING in return, we are charging absolutely NOTHING for this demo, and even if I wanted to make some money off of it I couldn't figure out how to do it.. I'm NOT a dealer, so I can't sell you gear.. I'm NOT an instructor, so I can't sell you a class.. We have put on countless of these demo's around the country, and in point of fact, when I did one in Wisconsin after all was said and done it cost me in excess of $1,500 out of my pocket.. When I did one in Seattle it cost me about $700 out of pocket.. One of the one's we did in Monterey, Tiger Woods happened to be playing golf that same weekend which raised the cost of our cheap hotel room to over $450 per night, nothwithstanding food, gas etc..So trust me when I say it, that it is a passion and a labor of love absent any profit motivation...
I would urge you to invite your instructor to join us so he can witness first hand what we are doing and offering.. It seems clear to me that he has no clue, but yet is afraid that you'll get exposed to ideas that are beyond his narrow mind..
I've yet to see anyone that hasn't taken away something from one of our demo's [even Seahunt learned something ;-)]..
Furthermore, there is a fairly long history under our belts with respect to these demos and I imagine that we've spoken before well over 3000 divers in, and around, the local area and I'd suggest that your friend check with ANYONE to see if we profited in any way, shape or form from our efforts..
DIR is still new to many diver's and despite our efforts many still believe that DIR is a standardized gear configuration that works great in caves in Florida.. These demo's do nothing more than demonstrate first hand what DIR is, how it applies to our local environment and in short it's an invitation to learn more..
Please feel free to have your friend e-mail me privately and you are free to do so as well if there are any added questions...
Hope we'll see you...
Later