Edition 25-11.html

March 30, 2011

What a great Ice diving class we had last weekend. There were seven students, five crew and four tenders on the ice Saturday. The day was warm but with the wind and 3 divers in wet suit we set the shelter up. Students diving were Adam Merkens, Ada MN; Chad Smith, Detroit Lakes MN, Doyle Leitheiser, Detroit Lakes MN; Jon Settingsgard, Brookings SD; Justin Erickson, Tom Erickson, Tyler Erickson, West Fargo ND. The crew helping with the dives was Chris Lee, Ryan Sandvig, Ryan Tangen, Tim Gordon, and Seal. Tenders helping were Ty Warren, Art Bakker, Pat Johnston, and Sid Canham. Thanks to all those that helped with the dives. There was still over 2 foot of clear ice. At this rate it will be awhile before the ice goes off the ice. I am getting excited to start diving open water. As you can see by one of the pictures we even had a guy with 3 small kids stop and watch us dive.

Here are some photos of the dive.

Cutting hole in ice Ice Chunk Removal Setting up shelter

Shelter up Adam Merkens Chad Smith Doyle Leitheiser

Jon Settingsgard Justin Erickson Tom Erickson Tyler Erickson

There has been an over welling response for the Apostle Islands trip next August. I would like to have all those that are interested in the trip that have not signed up yet to let me know as soon as possible if you would like to go so we can lock in room reservations by the end of next week so I can get the final price of the trip put together. I would like to leave early Friday morning so we can do some sight seeing in the area and maybe make a dive that day. A suggestion was made to take some grills along and grill on one of the islands between dives. So far we have 16 people signed up. We will have enough boats so everyone can make the trip at the same time.

Still need a couple of more students for the Fergus Falls Class starting next week to be able to run the class and the Mahnomen class is set to start next Thursday also.

Sea You on the Bottom

Tri-State Diving Making Diving Safe and Adventurous