Thread: Opinions wanted
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Old 02-16-2011, 12:06 PM
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ricki ricki is offline
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Originally Posted by LSUkiter View Post
Thanks for all of the help. I did sort out our acoomodations. It took a while because everyone was full. Sometimes last minute plans are the best, and sometimes you're searching for rooms at the last minute.
I'll probably check out subtropic. I know historically I've heard lots about the Duane and Spiegel Grove, but it seems like everyone's going to the Vandenberg now. I've been diving for 15 years with advanced certification, I just haven't been in about 2 years due to work, but I don't think I'll have any issues with any of the sites.

I'll look into some of those links. Thanks again.

If you can throw in the Speigel Grove, I would do it. The decks on the Vandenberg and Speigel (both with the bottom at about 140 ft.) are at 70 to 90 ft.. So, you don't have to hit the bottom as the sides of the hull are the least interesting aspects anyway. You can go deeper in interior ship features on both wrecks, so it would be good to pick a hard bottom depth and stick with it. Both dives can become challenging if higher current develops, a common thing and/or if visibility drops a lot possibly complicated by air issues if you allow them to occur. I would candidly talk to the shops and see what they say with the current conditions. If you go, I would avoid penetrations on either, some divers have taken themselves out on the Speigel that way. In clear, low current conditions both wrecks are amazing.

Free diving the Vandenberg the first day it was opened to the public to dive:
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=6019

Free diving the Speigel Grove
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=8547
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=4490

and the Duane if you can fit it in
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=8833

By the way, as much as I like free diving these wrecks with a scooter, I don't recommend that others do it. At least not without a lot of preparation and training over a long period, safety gear, etc..

Have fun!
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Last edited by ricki; 02-16-2011 at 01:19 PM.
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