DUI DOG Rally&Demo Days

So the floodgates opened today, with divers arriving in droves, all day long. Thankfully, our experienced Crew handled everything in stride. It really was quite impressive, and by the end of the weekend, 116 test divers made multiple dives visiting the historic quarry sites. Perhaps most impressive were the number of test divers there to actually pick out the suit they were ready to buy. Susan was kept busy measuring for Special Production suits, and the staff spent a great deal of time explaining options, color choices, and accessories. After all, why not make your DUI truly yours with the myriad of colors and fabric options.

Don’t forget that each Test Diver that makes an actual dive (or 2 or 3 or…) gets an equipment log of their sizes, and preferences. That equipment log is also a valuable coupon, good at any DUI dealer that participates fully in the DOG Rally, by providing Crew for the event. We even had an entire contingent of Test Divers on Sunday that had just returned (at 2AM) from a trip to Bonaire, and had driven all the way to the quarry just to test dive suits and select their options, colors, etc. for their new DUI’s.

As Sunday wore on, the imminent Demo Day break down/striking the set became a reality. Big thanks to Mike (Adirondack SCUBA) for your tenacity in getting those tent stakes out of the ground! The crew hammered away at them with sledges and the stake puller until every last stake was recovered and back on the DOG Truck. Apparently the busy weekend and all of my internal thoughts planning the next event clouded my attention to detail just a little bit while driving back to the hotel from dinner. Eric and Gary from DAN may never drive with me again. In my defense: A) who put a one way street there anyway…nice catch Eric…my fault & B) we clearly had the right of way with that whole BMW scenario

I really need to find a new alarm clock tone. These 4AM starts have me hating that sound. Susan was up, bright and fresh as a daisy as we merged onto I-91, joking about how it was too early to even have morning breath. At this time of the morning there is a definite excess of blood in my caffeine system, and I followed the little airplane symbols to some tiny airport rather than the actual one we needed. Although I hate the idea of relying on a computer, when in a new town every weekend and traveling the oh-so-pleasant hours we do…let the GPS search commence <sigh>.

Thanks to all who attended our 2nd DOG Rally and Demo Day at the beautiful Brownstone Quarry. Dates are already on the schedule for 2008, and we’re eager to see all of our DOGs and DOG Crew again soon. Despite all of the hassles and headaches that accompany a nationwide Demo tour and a schedule that would make even the hardiest road warrior flee in panic, you really do make it all worthwhile. I must be one of the luckiest people I know, in that I get to meet some many great divers, and hang out in some of the greatest dive sites around.