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#112
Flower Gardens Banks trip buddy
Yaki - 3/01/2014 10:12 AM
Category: Buddy Wanted
Replies: 9

Looking to start the year diving the Flower Gardens. Had no problem in the past going by myself and teaming with someone on the boat, but my challenge has always been finding a buddy that breathes slow. I hate coming back up with half a tank unused...

I have no dates in mind yet but if you have not been to the Flower Gardens yet, it is highly reccomended. see attached to air in few weeks. vimeo.com/86151289
The trip are arranged by Fling Charter out of Freeport TX.

Let me know if interested.
#1723
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cducote - 3/01/2014 12:07 PM
We are going for the first time on April 4th through a dive shop in Shreveport LA called scuba ventures. I think they still have space available
#112
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Yaki - 3/01/2014 1:15 PM
You are up for a treat!
Like I mentioned, finding a spot is the easy part. Finding an experienced buddy who can stay long on a tank- is.
If you know off someone on your trip that needs one, let me know :-)
#20460
LatitudeAdjustment - 3/02/2014 5:31 AM
Manny, being a slow breather myself I’ve found women make the best dive buddies but some here will get suspicious when you ask for a female to go on a boat with you :)
Unless things have changed the Fling has bunk beds below, little privacy so ladies take over one of the rooms that has the same number of bunks as you need for a little more privacy. I’ve seen that done on the Fling’s sistership, the Spree.
#112
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Yaki - 3/02/2014 7:32 AM
If it wasn’t for her bad knees, my wife is an obvious buddy for me like she’s been in the past.
In the times I have been on the Fling, I share your observations about accomodation and privacy. Yet, like any other live aboard, you want to focus on diving as much as you can to make the trip economically sense.
Thanks for your answer, and maybe you’ll join me sometime in the FG.... :-)
#1200
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Dutch - 3/02/2014 2:35 PM
Contact Manny Montoro at Lone Star Scuba. Stores in Ft Worth and Dallas. He runs trips often to the FG. You should be able to hook up with his customers and find someone going who matches your breathing rates a bit.
#185
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JasonMyers - 3/11/2014 8:54 AM
Hey there,

I’m going this weekend (March 14), and don’t have a buddy. I’ve dived the gardens once before, and my dive times were:

28min to 120ft (avg 68)
41min to 92ft (avg61)
47min to 95ft (avg 53)
54min to 76ft (avg 54)
34min to 74ft (avg 54)
41min to 86ft (avg 60)
34min to 85ft (avg 34)

I watch my air, and might swim a few feet above my buddy if I’m consuming too much air. I swim down if there is anything interesting to observe, and ask that my buddy makes regular checks up to see if I need to surface.
#112
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Yaki - 3/11/2014 12:05 PM
I don’t think that I’ll be able to join this weekend but if you want to go again in April or May let me know and we can buddy. I can teach you one or two tricks on how to consume even less air, especilly if you are not taking pictures\videos. That activity tends to consume air faster... :-)
#88
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aquabill - 3/14/2014 1:21 PM
Yaki,

I would love to go. Either next weekend a weekend April. I would love to try and get March as I think this the best time to catch the Hammerhead migration from what I have read.

Bill
#20326
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Smithsgold - 7/28/2014 10:30 PM
Did anyone go and how was it ???