August 7-9,
200 9
Photos
Portage Quarry Legends of Diving

Legends Honored: Bop
Meistrell, Robert Croft, Alec Peirce, and Dottie Frazier comment
on each other's photos Saturday at the International Legends of
Diving Festival, Portage Quarry, August 7-9, 2009.
Vintage Double Hose Always Welcome
Hi Jeff:
I just wanted to extend my sincerest "THANKS" for the great
time I had this past weekend at Portage during The Legends of
Diving event. I'm sure I speak not only for myself but for all
of us in the vintage diving community who really appreciate this
event and all the efforts you and your staff put forth to make
this event possible. I'm 62 and I learned to dive back in the
early 1960's; so this event brings back many fond memories of
those earlier day's of diving.
This event gives the proper recognition to the earlier days
of diving, the equipment and also a way of saying "THANK YOU" to
the early pioneers of a sport which we all dearly love. This
event also gives us the opportunity to dive this great vintage
gear and to meet and dive with others who share this same
interest. I'm already looking forward to next year!
Terry Stevens
AKA Vintagediver
Benzonia, Michigan
Terry
Thank you for the kind words. The Vintage Double Hose Club is a
very special group involved with the legends festivities. Your
words captured the essence of what we are trying to accomplish
each year here at Portage and at other locations around the
world.
Mike,
I talked to you on the phone last week about a wetsuit gift
certificate that I won at the “Legends of Diving” in Bowling
Green OH.
I would first and foremost like to thank Dive N’ Surf and
Bodyglove for sponsoring this great event. I had a great time
talking with Bob Meistrell about his experiences, both diving
and living on the west coast. Dottie Frazier and the rest of the
guests were also great to talk to. I really like to hear about
the early history of scuba diving, as my dad got me involved in
the late seventies.
Thanks Again!
Michael Courvoisier
Friday Night Meet-n-Greet

Early in the evening Roger Roth displays the winners of the
underwater images photo and video competition. Roth of
Cincinnati is the founder and director of the international
competition that distributed $75,000 in prizes for the
competition this year.

Alec Peirce (left) has been a welcome legend at each of the
events. His discussions of Sea Hunt have been a lively addition
to the presentations.

Alec Peirce and Dottie Frazier
(left photo) pose while Bob Croft playfully gives the rabbit
ears to Mr. Peirce. Ms. Frazier signs the log book of a fan,
Hobie Brewer of Charleston, WV.

Dottie Frazier (center) talks
with Bill Stewart (left) and Hobie Brewer. Hobie and Bill are
from Charleston representing a new WV dive club.

Jeff Rice arrives from Cleveland
airport and introduces his two travelling guests, Dottie Frazier
and Bob Meistrell.

Bob Meistrell is introduced to a
welcoming committee of local dignitaries.

Robert Croft and Dottie Frazier
met for the first time at the legends event in Port Lucaya,
Grand Bahama Island in April, 2009 for a new friendship.
Close-up with the Legends

Saturday and Sunday allowed plenty of time for divers to meet
with the legends of diving, share stories, and ask questions.

Mike Batista (right) discusses a unique opportunity for helmet
diving.

The Michigan African-American SCUBA Klub (MASK) met on the east
wall for a dive picnic Saturday afternoon. MASK, from Detroit,
MI is a local chapter of the National Association of Black Scuba
Divers.

A very attentive crowd watches the CBS documentary Saturday
night on Robert Croft's record dives with narrator Charles
Kuralt.


Sunday swimmers took advantage of the hot weather to get wet.
Trip Winners

Saturday, Jim Clarke of Columbus, OH (center back) won the first
of three trips and is pictured with the featured legends of
diving. With Jim in the back row is Bob Meistrell (left) and
Robert Croft. Seated (from left) is Alec Peirce, Pat Meistrell,
and Dottie Frazier.

Winners of the two other trips are Mindy Rapp (from left) of
Toledo, OH and Judy and Darrell Logan of Columbus, OH.
Relax and Enjoy the Diving

Jeff Rice and Bob Meistrell (from left) on the edge
of the quarry before the plunge into the abyss. Dive Photos
Below: Night diving, Vintage Double Hose club divers,
instructional classes and Hansa jet diving
on this very special dive weekend.









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