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I've been reading the messages regarding WKPP on this list with a
mixture of amusement and consternation. For the record I'd like to say
some things. WKPP was founded in 1987, by Parker Turner with some
small assistance from me (Bill Gavin). Parker was a most flamboyant
person who fortunately also had a ton of class. In the years following
his death I tried to steer the group in a direction he would have
approved of. For the past year I have been on a hiatus from cave
diving and George Irvine has taken over the responsibilities of
directing WKPP. For the most part George has done an excellent job. He
has been able to continue and even increase our access to dive sites
in North Florida at the expense of significant time and effort. But,
(and there's the rub) he has a bit of a personality deficiency. You
might say he's a "tactfully impaired (challenged?) individual. Well,
Bill Main would say "You adopted Parker and George was Parker's
student so he's your problem." And so he is. I enjoy diving with
George immensely (he can't talk underwater). I enjoy his sense of
humor on many subjects. I do not enjoy the fact that his lack of tact
reflects badly on WKPP (are you listening George?).
Several things were said about the 1987 Wakulla Project. From what
I can tell none of them needed to be mentioned though many of them
where probably true. There were many reasons why divers like Lamar
English, Parker Turner, Bill Main and myself were not included in that
group. Rivalry, ego and personalities certainly played various roles.
It really doesn't matter. But, it is untrue that we enjoy any
significant technological advantage over what that group had available
to them. I take umbrage at the suggestion that those divers could
accomplish what we have if they had our gear, today's technology, etc.
Cave diving is 1/3 mental, 1/3 physical, and 1/3 gear. Gear simply
hasn't changed that much. Things that we were doing in 1987 have
simply become commonplace in 1995. However, the record speaks for
itself and there is no need to belittle anyone's efforts. What I wish
George would learn is you do not have to trash anyone else to make
yourself look great. If your good enough, work gets around. Besides,
the point is the diving not the talk. I'll be doing these dives
whether anyone is impressed or not because I enjoy them.
So, my apologies for George's excesses. I am once again actively
diving and will try to curb George's natural tendencies. If he could
develop half the class that Parker had he would truly be a well
rounded cave diver. Meanwhile, remember that WKPP is many people, not
just George. And the opinions expressed by George on various subjects
do not necessarily reflect the groups.
Bill Gavin
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