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April 2-6, 2009

Legends of Diving Special

They lived the history, they wrote the books, now they appear at the International Legends of Diving. Legends Festival, 2X in '09 - UNEXSO and Portage Quarry.

UNEXSO of Grand Bahama Island Expands Dates for Legends

Legendary Room Rates offered in this April 2-6, 2009 Package

The International Legends of Diving, with its inaugural event in 2006 at Portage Quarry, is expanding into the Caribbean starting the first week in April of 2009. And we are doing it with your style of diving, classy at a very low cost.

Each package includes a stay at the legendary Pelican Bay Hotel on Grand Bahama Island and legendary dives including Theo’s Wreck, Sea Hunt Reef, and an optional shark dive. Then throw in some reef dives,

some surface interval time with friends and legends, and a late banquet for a memorable dive week. You supply your gear and your friends for an added value. Even your surface loving friends will stay at reduced costs and have events scheduled around your down time. Portage Quarry legends author Keith G. Cooper of the International Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO) will be one of your hosts for


Pelican Bay Hotel with one
of its many luxury rooms

the week. UNEXSO is the world’s first dive training and resort facility and was the filming location for the Sea Hunt TV Series. Also expect a discussion on the history of diving with Dr. Sam Miller.

 

Pelican Bay Hotel is one of the newest boutique hotels on Grand Bahama Island, their accommodations afford visitors the finest combination of island and European architecture and service. Its unique Caribbean hotel and suites, accompanied by renowned hospitality and attention to detail will ensure that your stay in the Bahamas will be memorable.


The rates here are lower than you will find through most travel agencies or online booking sites. Take advantage of it now and book before it is sold out. With the help of sponsors and Bryan Pennington of Vintage Double Hose we are able to extend this offer to the Midwest United States divers. They will also be there with their original gear.

1960s panorama photo of UNEXSO Dive Facility

Photo courtesy of Dr. John Clement, one of the founders of UNEXSO

Vintage Double Hose Celebration

In 2009 Sand Dog V will be combining forces with Portage Quarry and the International Legends of Diving event to host the biggest and best vintage equipment trip yet.

We will be diving in the crystal clear waters off of Grand Bahama Island with the world famous group at UNEXSO. This is the first event of its kind held at the resort and will no doubt be a hit with the world wide diving community.

The vintage equipment divers will have their own private boat with a select Captain and crew that will cater to the unique needs and

experience level of the divers in the group. These divers will be hand-picked to represent the very best in historically accurate vintage equipment configurations and diving techniques. Not only will this group enjoy the finest diving available around the island they will also have an opportunity to serve as ambassadors for the vintage equipment

diving community by hosting a reception one evening to discuss their unique style of diving. Visitors as well as local and international press are invited to this event.


Bryan Pennington of Vintage Double Hose will be responsible for the selection and organization of this group of divers. Please contact him directly if you are interested in being part of this exclusive group. Contact Bryan through his eMail address here at Vintage Double Hose or call toll free 1-866-304-2388.


Jeff Rice, Portage Quarry owner, speaks with the Sand Dog V group at their annual meeting in Silver Springs, Florida, on March 28, 2008. He discussed diving in the Bahamas.

They lived the history, they wrote the books, now they appear at the International Legends of Diving.

UNEXSO pioneered this exciting dive almost 20 years ago and was the first to offer shark diving on Grand Bahama Island. The staff is considered to be experts in shark behavior and conservation and will organize an up-close and personal experience with the sharks at UNEXSO's Shark Junction. The expanded pre-dive briefing dispels the misconceptions about sharks, covers information about shark behavior and highlights interesting facts about these misunderstood creatures. During the dive, you'll observe these magnificent creatures as its experienced staff feeds and interacts with sharks of all sizes. You will come away from the experience with a new appreciation of these beautiful animals and understand the need for increased conservation measures.

Two of the Great Legends at UNEXSO

Photo with Lloyd Bridges and Al Tillman at UNEXSO - Lloyd Bridges appears with guests and UNEXSO founder Al Tillman. Tillman was a legend and co-authored with Zale Parry the dive book, Scuba America Vol. I, the Human History of Sport Diving in America.

Tom Tillman photo, from the family archives


International Legends Of Diving
April 2-6, 2009, Grand Bahama Island
 

Proudly Produced By:

Portage Quarry
UNEXSO
Pelican Bay Hotel

Left: UNEXSO Dive Boat.
Experienced or new Scuba Divers, UNEXSO has something for Everyone! Daily boat departures for scuba divers, or if you are new to diving, they have a complete professional staff of instructors ready to take nearly everyone scuba diving!


Both Packages include

  • Garden View Room Accommodations

  • Roundtrip Airport Transfers

  • Continental Breakfast Daily

  • Welcome Packet and Registration

  • Legendary Dives including Theo’s Wreck, Sea Hunt Reef, Shark Dive

  • International Legends of Diving Collectors T-shirt

  • Welcome Reception (Non-diver guest included)

  • ILD Seminar with Dr. Sam Miller

  • Awards Ceremony and Dinner (Non-diver guest included)

  • Special non-diver activities including shopping at Port Lucaya Marketplace

  • Tanks and weight belt

  • 12% Bahamas Government Room Tax

 4-Day Diver Itinerary

Fri, April 3 Sat, April 4 Sun, April 5 Mon, April 6
Arrival
No Dives
2 tank AM
(Wreck &
Reef Dive)

Shark Dive (optional) or
1 tank
PM Dive

2 tank – AM
(Reef Dives)

Optional Purchase (min 6 divers)
Dolphin Dive - $179.00 per person

Departure
No Dives

 

 4-Day Non-Diver Itinerary

Fri, April 3 Sat, April 4 Sun, April 5 Mon, April 6
Arrival Dolphin Encounter

Shopping at Port Lucaya Marketplace

Airboat
Nature Tour

Taino Beach (Boat Shuttle Departs Pelican Bay Hourly)

Departure

 

 2009 Confidential Net Rates

Single Diver
Rate
Diver Double
Rate
Non Diver
Double Rate
$779
$569
$529

*Nitrox available - $10.00 additional per dive, See terms below.

 5-Day Diver Itinerary

Thursday,
April 2
Friday, April 3 Saturday, April 4 Sunday, April 5 Monday, April 6

Arrival
No Dives

2 tank AM
(Wreck &
Reef Dive)

1 tank
PM Dive

2 tank AM
(Wreck &
Reef Dive)

Shark Dive (optional) or
1 tank
PM Dive

2 tank – AM
(Reef Dives)

Optional Purchase (minimum
6 divers)
Dolphin Dive - $179.00 per person

Departure
No Dives

 

 5-Day Non-Diver Itinerary

Thursday,
April 2
Friday, April 3 Saturday, April 4 Sunday, April 5 Monday, April 6

Arrival

Snorkel Trip

Taino Beach
(Boat Shuttle Departs Pelican Bay Hourly)

Dolphin Encounter

Shopping
at Port Lucaya Marketplace

Airboat
Nature Tour

Taino Beach
(Boat Shuttle Departs Pelican Bay Hourly)

Departure

 

 2009 Confidential Net Rates

Single Diver
Rate
Diver Double
Rate
Non Diver
Double Rate
$1,029
$749
$649

*Nitrox available - $10.00 additional per dive, See terms below.

Rates Below include:

  • Choice of Standard, Superior and Deluxe Room Accommodations

  • Roundtrip Airport Transfers

  • Continental Breakfast Daily

  • Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner

  • Educational Seminars

  • An Exciting Week of Legendary Shark,

  • Wreck and Reef Dives (plus scheduled non diver activities)

  • Tanks and weight belt

  • 12% Bahamas Government Tax

7-Day Diver Itinerary

Mar 30 Mar 31 April 1 April 2 April 3 April 4 April 5 April 6

Arrival
No Dives

2 tank AM
(Plate Reef &
Reef Dive)

1 tank
PM Dive

(Papa Doc Wreck)

2 tank AM
(Gales Grotto &
Reef Dive)


1 tank
PM
Dive (Ben's Blue Hole)

2 tank AM
(The Cave's & Reef Dive)

1 tank Night
(Papa Doc Wreck)

2 tank AM
(Theo's Wreck &
Reef Dive)

1 tank
PM Dive
(Cap's Choice)

2 tank – AM
(Sea Star Wreck & Reef Dives)

1 tank
PM Dive
(Shark Dive)

2 tank – AM
(Rose Garden & Reef Dives)

No Dives

 

 7-Day Non-Diver Itinerary

Mar 30 Mar 31 April 1 April 2 April 3 April 4 April 5 April 6

Arrival

Kayak Nature Tour

Taino Beach
(Boat Shuttle Departs Pelican Bay Hourly)

Airboat Tour
(Gales Grotto &
Reef Dive)


Our Lucaya Beach (5 min walk)

Snorkel Trip
 

Taino Beach
(Boat Shuttle Departs Pelican Bay Hourly)

Island Tour
(Theo's Wreck &
Reef Dive)

Our Lucaya Beach (5 min walk)

Dolphin Enc.

Taino Beach
(Boat Shuttle Departs Pelican Bay Hourly)

Shopping @Port Lucaya

Our Lucaya Beach (5 min walk)

Dep.

 

7-Day Single Diver Rate

Standard Superior Deluxe
$1,899

$1,999

$2,199

7-Day Diver Double Rate

Standard Superior Deluxe
$1,399
$1,499
$1,699

7-Day Non-Diver Double Rate

Standard Superior Deluxe
$1,099
$1,199
$1,299

*Nitrox available - $10.00 additional per dive

Terms: UNEXSO reserves the right to change the prices, dive and non dive itinerary without prior notice. Dives cancelled due to inclement weather will be refunded at a prorated amount to the dive shop. No refunds will be made if diver(s) decide to voluntary cancel a dive(s). Consideration for refunds will be made for a legitimate illness. Divers arriving to the boat inebriated should not dive and will not receive a refund if the boat captain determines the diver is not fit to make a safe dive. For the safety of everyone divers are reminded to obey the instructions of the boat captain, instructors, and divemaster at all times. Rates do not apply during black out and holiday periods. Substitutions are not permitted. Certain restrictions may apply. Please call 800-992-3483 for additional details.

Historic Meeting: Two worlds of diving come together at the UNEXSO location near Freeport, Grand Bahama Island on Feb. 28, 2008. Pictured from left is Keith Cooper, Director of Sales and Marketing; Jeff Rice, operator Portage Quarry; Marc Bauman, General Manager; Dr. John Clement, one of the original Founders; Jock Hall, former staff photographer of UNEXSO.

 

Legends Weekend Links

Previous Legends Weekends

2007 Weekend Event Wrap-up

2007 Diving With Zale Parry
Weekend Photo Wrap-up

Watch the 2007 Zale Parry Video
August 10-12, 2007

2006 Legends Weekend
August 11-13, 2006

   

E-MAIL JEFF AT THE QUARRY", CLICK ON IMAGE
AT LEFT FOR A PICTURE OF QUARRYMAN

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