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| Mr. Correia goes to Wakulla |
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| Written by Jackie Kaley | |
| Tuesday, 11 January 2005 | |
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Ralph Correia (Scuba Shack CT and also rfciv on ne-ue) attended his first team event this weekend at Wakulla Springs in Florida as part of the WKPP project. (www.wkpp.org) I went along with Ralph as he made his long drive down to Tallahassee.
We left Thursday evening around 8:00pm and we arrived at the Wakulla Springs lodge at 8:30 Friday evening. Ralph had to meet his WKPP sponsor Doug Mudry (Extreme Exposure) at 7:15 am Saturday. As his sponsor Doug is responsible for Ralph and all of his actions throughout the course of the entire event including any diving. As the team members arrived, from as far as way as Canada it was becoming very obvious this was truly a team event. The team members pitched in and with hand trucks moved all of the equipment: tanks, scooters, RB's and any other items down to the beach, not just their own equipment, but everyone’s. Todd Leonard was surface manager for the day. Todd was responsible for assuring the divers had what they needed, knew the objective, and that everything went as scheduled. A few of the objectives today were to take bacteria samples and replace flow meters in cooperation with of the State of Florida. There were two teams of rebreather divers and also numerous open circuit teams. As each diver got into the water, they only needed to get in with the gear on their back. Everything else was brought out to them: scooters, stage bottles etc. This was an all day event. I saw teams come and go. Around 4:00pm it was Ralph and Doug’s turn to go in. They needed to go and assist Jarrod, David and Casey with anything they may need while going from the 50' trough up to one of the 2 habitats at approx. 30'. Todd also requested that they find out how long the team would be in the habitat. The message was: 2 hrs in the habitat and then 1 more hour to the surface. Todd sent Doug and Ralph back to assist Koritz and Rose to the surface. Then it was back on down to the empty habitat to clean up bottles and bring them back to the surface, after that once last check on Jarrod, Casey and David and a bottle cleanup of whatever they were done with. As the day went by I couldn't help but notice the teamwork and respect that they all showed for one another. The camaraderie that these unique individuals showed exemplified to me the meaning of being a part of GUE and who knows maybe someday part of the WKPP....maybe not, but even though I was only a bystander at this event, they all made me feel like part of the team. Of course, I would not have rode 40 hours (RT) in the car without expecting something in return. I had never done a dive at Ginnie Springs and I wanted to. So, that was the deal........it was another awesome day, an awesome dive in Ginnie Cavern, air temp was 80 degrees, water temp was 72 and the water was crystal clear. The only regret I have is that I am in the car now for the 20 hour return trip!!!! Congratulations Ralph on your first of I am sure of many events with the WKPP!! We all wish you well. pictures of the event are posted on the gallery http://gallery.ne-ue.com under Albums/Florida/Wakulla Jackie Kaley |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 18 February 2008 ) |
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