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MSD FORUMS - MIDWEST SCUBA DIVING |
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TOPIC:
Perl Lake - $20 ransom
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ps56k
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Joined on
7/13/2008
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Just got back from a trip to Perl Lake - our first trip here - almost got to go to jail :)
They have NOTHING to support diving, other than a really nice quarry & water.
It is nice to have a change of location to see the lake, the bottom areas and sunken items,
but you might enjoy the water - and nothing else....
We had a youth group go up for their OWC - and the problem at Perl is there is no way for "civilians" to get to the "dive locations" without EACH person paying their $20.
We had parents that drove up to see what "open water" diving was all about, but could not get to the launching areas without paying the $20. Not a great way to encourage the sport or the location.
Basically - our son went out to help with the OWC class, and we dropped him (and all his dive gear) off to meet the van & trailer up top.
We later came back to pick him up (and all his dive gear) as we all had to be somewhere later.
We drove down the "restricted access" road, and were stopped at the Y by a guy in his pickup truck. We told him that we were merely there to pick up a diver as there were no cars except the van & trailer. He refused this reasonable request, and said "everyone in the car" needed a "pass" and that would cost $20 EACH...
We said screw that - and drove around to the launch site.
He radioed the golf carts - and also the local police.
We picked up our diver & his gear, and headed back out. The guy in the pickup truck was going to block our exit, but we drove around him. Next was the South Beloit police car. We pulled up next to them to chat.
As we were told... The Perl Lake management has their "rules" to protect people from wandering into the quarry, and we broke their "rules".... more like we were not going to pay $20 EACH for a dropoff or pickup to the dive locations.
All in all - we left intact - with a really bad impression from Perl Lake.
They have NO support for divers - no changing area, other than a porta-potty, no rinse off, no bathrooms, other than the porta-potty, no supplies, no food/snacks, no appreciation, nothing....
It's just a large RV camp location - with the permanent trailers and folks having early dinner at the on grounds restaurant while they look at the nice quarry lake
SO - BE WARNED -
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Mikeytron
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Joined on
1/19/2007
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I realize there are rules but the bottom line is do they want to market their product or not? Or are they a bunch of hilbillies thinking that are doing YOU a favor? Some people just cannot operate out of the box. I have been to places like that in Crystal River area in Florida. Maybe they should just close the lake and let the guy in the golf kart find a new top flight job at Walmart-possibly as a "greeter".
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sobfrogg
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Joined on
8/4/2006
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The $20.00 is for a diver to enter. Both Haigh and Pearl charge $20.00 for a divers entry. For a nondiver it is $8.00. We have non divers come out with our shop all thime. The entry fee offer allows the diver or non diver to enjoy the swim area. Not a bad thing.
As for no things to help support divers. You seemed to have missed the heated/ a.c'ed bathroom, showers, changing building. If you would have gone down to the dive office you would have seen the Snack Bar that serves some good food. Or how about air fills and equipment rentals in the Dive Office?
There is also a BRAND NEW pavillion down by the north beach. It has concrete floors and I think about 6 pinic tables. Right next to it a changing house. Sure its small put its for 1 person to change.
Along the east side is another changing house.
Pearl Lake is adding more and more stuff every year. They can not do it all overnight.
So if you do not care for Pearl Lake try Haigh Quarry. I bet you get arrested when you drive by the office without signing in.
The rules are in place for a reason. If you can not follow the rules mabey diving is not for you. Try going out on the golf course for a round without paying.
Now if you do not like the rules there is a quarry for sale on the East side of McHenry. right off Rt120. Keep your entry fee and put it to bying the 202 acres that are for sale and make up your own rules
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Captain Dale
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Joined on
3/31/2006
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I am sorry that you had a bad experience at Pearl Lake. I have dived there many times in the years that I have been a diver. I have found them to operate much the same as other lakes and quarries that allow scuba diving for a fee. They have some sort of check point to restrict access and collect their fee. They all collect fees for non-divers as well as divers. Accomodations range from none at all to heated buildings with changing facilities, flush toilets and showers. Pearl Lake encourages picnic lunches but also has a full service supper club with outstanding fare. Most divers are content with the outside facilities, but they may also make use of the bathrooms in the main building if they care to make the walk. Pearl also allows children and pets. I believe that children under 10 get in free.
Might you have found a way to get your diver's equipment out of the park without having to pay an extra fee? Perhaps the person who transported his gear to the dive site might have been willing to bring it out for him. In any case, it is the owner of the facility who gets to make the rules, not the guests. You are free to patronize the facility or not but not to force your way onto the premises. That is called trespass and could have landed you in the local jail. One wonders whether you would try to push your way past the entrance at a sports stadium without a ticket because you did not like their entry rules.
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ps56k
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Joined on
7/13/2008
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I did not wish to partake of the facilities - like in a sports stadium, or swim at their beach -
I merely wanted 5mins to drive down the road, pick up our diver that was helping,
along with all his gear, and drive home...
The folks at Pearl could not accommodate that scenario.
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kratzdiver
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Joined on
7/14/2008
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I am a Divemaster, and used to dive Pearl. Not anymore, I moved To haigh about 4 years ago. It is sad that they are not promoting that for diving, they are more worried about the stupid train and people paying outrageous prices fo those little trailer homes.. Anyway I avoid that lake and concentrate On Haigh, Tina sinks her money back into the Quarry and promotes the diving there..
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Captain Dale
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Joined on
3/31/2006
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"The folks at Pearl could not accommodate that scenario."
The folks at Pearl could not or would not accomodate the way you wanted so you forced your way onto their property.
No matter whether or not thier actions represented good business practice, yours were boorish and illegal.
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kratzdiver
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Joined on
7/14/2008
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you maybe did it the wrong way, but it wasn't illegal otherwise you wmould have been arrested, being around law enforcement I would have Pearl in "hot water" for keeping dive equipent that was not theirs, without authority, that to me is stealing..wether or not you were right or wrong the way youd id things, they were wrong for keeping your equipment and not letting you retrieve it.
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sobfrogg
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Joined on
8/4/2006
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The diver and gear was still at the dive site. Pearl Lake's personel did nothing wrong. They were not trying to keep anyones gear.
The people that entered the dive site without a valid pass were in the wrong. ALL the signs stating a pass is needed to enter the grounds.
As an Instructor for a local shop that uses Pearl Lake. We make sure our students/ divers can get back to the parking lot for their ride. Sounds like the dive opperation should have steped in to help. We do for our customers.
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cpdsgtal
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Joined on
10/30/2006
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How about the dive site making exceptions under mitigating circumstances. I am a cop, and yes technically they were trespassing, but exceptions are sometimes necessary in real life. After hearing this story I will stick with Tina. Yes she wants you to pay to enter, but I guarantee she will allow you to pick someone up and drive right back out.
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Captain Dale
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Joined on
3/31/2006
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I agree that the people at Pearl Lake should have found a way to accomodate easily picking up the diver and his equipment. Bending the rules for good customer relations is always advised. The gate-keeper may not have had much customer service training. I suspect, however, that the attitude and demeanor of the original poster had something to do with the way this scenario played out. When confronted with beligerance and an "I want it my way, NOW" attitude most low-level operatives will just dig their heels in and cite "the rules." The same people will normally accomodate a supplicant who asks nicely.
Nothing excuses pushing thruogh the gate and forcefully invading private property without permission.
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sobfrogg
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Joined on
8/4/2006
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Capt. Dale you hit the nail on the head.
I myself have seen the gate keepers bend the rules.
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hammerhead
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Joined on
3/13/2006
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ps56k..... I am not sure why I am responding to this, get back on your meds!!!! Your an embarrassment to your child and the dive community as a whole!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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