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Located just about an hour from Springfield, Bredina Springs is the Midwest’s hottest new dive spot! Adveture Dive & Travel will be bringing our gang to Bredina several weekends in 2011, for training dives, fun dives, and of course lakeside cookouts! Above are just a few of the tentative dates, as summer approaches we will add more. We can also do midweek training dives at Bredina, on request, in addition to private classes.
With 12 acres of spring fed water and a maximum depth of 108 feet, this former limestone quarry is becoming a home to numerous species of fish including giant paddlefish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, bluegill and bass. Bredina also is home to the rare Mysis freshwater shrimp. There are also lots of interesting stuff to see underwater….sunken airplanes, dive platforms, and more. Air fills on-site, and plenty of parking, picnic tables and even bathrooms!
For directions and information on water temps, visibility, etc go to www.bredinasprings.com
Make your reservations now to join us for the weekend!
Bredina Springs Weekend Planner
The fee for divers is $20 per person, per day payable at the office when you first arrive and check in. Non-divers are $10 per person, per day. Be sure to tell them at the office that you are with the Adventure Dive & Travel Group, and if you are a student. The office will then direct you to where the Adventure Dive and Travel area is, so you can check in with the Adventure Dive and Travel Group leader.
If you are an Open Water student, you will need to arrive at the quarry by 8:00 AM in order to be ready to dive by 9:00 AM. Check in with the dive leader when you arrive. Be sure to stop for breakfast on the way. We usually have a cookout/pot luck for all the divers around noon. We supply the main course, (brats, burgers, etc), and you need to bring your favorite dish: potato salad, baked beans, pasta salad, chocolate chip cookies, etc (a bag of potato chips doesn’t qualify). Feel free to bring a cooler with snacks and drinks (no alcoholic beverages are allowed at the dive site).
For Open Water Student Divers
Congratulations! With the confined water sessions out of the way, you are almost a certified diver - now the fun begins. The 4 open water training dives are a way to demonstrate the skills you learned in the pool out in the open water with your instructor. You will meet a lot of new dive buddies during the training weekend. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a long diving career. Also, be sure to get on our e-mail list. E-mail is our lifeline to let you know about our fantastic sales and fun activities that we plan throughout the year. This is a good way meet other divers and to stay active in the diving community.
A great deal of time and effort is spent to make this an enjoyable weekend for all the students of AD&T. Reservations and schedules are planned months in advance by the instructors, divemasters, staff and students. In order to complete our schedule for the weekend in a safe and timely fashion, you must be sure that you are PROMPT and prepared. Unfortunately, we are unable to hold up the entire group if you are late. Any last minute cancellations, no-shows or johnny-come-latelies will have to re-schedule and pay an additional certification fee.
This informational packet will hopefully assist you in planning your training weekend. The dates, times and plans are to be considered general guidelines and are subject to change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. Remember to check with the staff at AD&T the week prior to confirm the schedule.
WHAT TO DO
Training groups are limited in size, so get your certification fee in early to hold your spot.
Reserve rental gear at least 1 week prior to departure. During Open Water Training, compasses will be available for use at no cost to the student.
Friends and family are welcome to attend, the non-diver entrance fee is $10. Anyone wishing to dive cannot be near the students during training dives. Any non-student divers who wish to join us for the weekend are welcome. The more the merrier! If you can notify us at the Dive Center that you will be joining our group, we can insure that the Bredina Springs Staff will allot us plenty of space for our group and we’ll have enough grub for the group.
ITINERARY
Reserve any rental gear at least 1-2 weeks prior
FRIDAY
Check with your instructor for the specific time you need to arrive. (times may vary depending on the class you are taking) If your class starts on Friday morning, (Rescue and Specialty students) you can pick up rental gear at Adventure Dive & Travel between 2-6 pm on Thursday. If your class starts on Saturday morning, (Open Water and all other classes), you can pick up your rental gear at Adventure Dive & Travel between 2 and 6 pm on Friday. We often offer the option to pick your gear up earlier in the week. Check with us. When you pick your gear up, be sure to double-check sizes, etc. Remember, you are responsible for having everything! This includes tanks and weights. We often lead a night dive at Bredina Springs on Saturday night, check with us for information. If you are doing the night dive you must be checked in at the quarry no later than 7:00, the gates are closed at 7:00!
SATURDAY
8:00 AM: Arrive and check in with the office and pay them the $40 fee for each day you’ll be diving at the quarry. Be sure to tell them you are with Adventure Dive & Travel and if you are a student. Then check in with the AD&T dive leader, begin assembling your gear to be ready for the 9 am dive. It takes approximately 1 hour to drive from Springfield to Bredina, so be sure to leave your house no later than 7:00 am.
9:00 AM: First dive briefings begin.
NOON; We usually have a cookout/pot luck for all the divers. We supply the main course, (brats, burgers, etc), and you need to bring your favorite dish€¦potato salad, baked beans, pasta salad, chocolate chip cookies, etc (a bag of potato chips doesn’t qualify).
5:00-ish: Depending on your class, you may be ready to leave by late afternoon. Clean up area, load gear in cars. Each student is responsible for having their own tanks filled. There is an air fill station at the Quarry. Be sure to have your tank refilled before leaving the dive site.
7:00-8:00 PM Depending on weather and daylight, the night dive briefing will take place just before dusk. Your instructor will tell you the exact time.
SUNDAY
8:00 AM: Check in with the AD&T leader and then begin assembling your dive gear.
10:30 AM: If you’re an Open Water student, you may be finishing by late morning. You’ll then meet with your instructor to fill out your logbook and certification forms. Now that you're official, feel free to jump back in and do your first dive with just your buddies...no instructor! When you're done diving for the day, you can disassemble your gear, change into dry clothes, clean up the area, load gear in cars, and head home.
Tanks and rental gear must be returned to AD&T on Tuesday between Noon-6pm. (We are closed on Mondays) Don't forget to rinse all rental gear before returning it or you will have to pay a cleaning fee. Any regulators returned without dust cap in place will be charged a rebuild fee. Any tanks returned empty will be charged for a visual inspection.
“WHAT TO BRING” CHECKLIST FOR BREDINA SPRINGS
Remember to reserve rental gear at least 1 week prior to departure. During Open Water training, compasses will be available for use at no cost to the student.
Items that you MUST have:
Fins
Mask
Snorkel
Boots
Cash ($60 for two day entry into Bredina Springs and tank fills)
Defog
Divers Log Book
BCD
Regulator with octopus
Dive Computer
Wetsuit appropriate for conditions
Hood and gloves if necessary
One Tank
Weights and weight belt or bag (for transport)
An inexpensive plastic tarp for laying out dive gear
(A compass is provided for Open Water Training)
Items that will come in handy:
Plastic bags for wet dive gear
Drops for swimmers ear
Lawn chair
Towel
Bathing suit
Appropriate clothing for the weather (Jackets, sweaters, rain gear, etc.)
Waterproof sun block
Picnic Lunch
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