Facebook
Twitter
The Formula H2O underwater racing league is coming to world-famous Weeki Wachee Springs State Park from October 7th to 9th in a race to benefit wounded veterans. The Weeki Wachee Warrior Challenge will be the 2011 Formula H2O Racing circuit finale, and it promises to be the largest, most thrilling scuba-scooter event to date.
The Formula H2O underwater racing events and the renowned mermaid shows will be staged in the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, one of Florida’s greatest natural resources. The mermaids are a culturally significant part of Florida’s tourism industry and that they are truly an iconic symbol of the park.
Formula H2O is the exciting underwater sport which features scuba divers racing on diver propulsion vehicle’s (DPV) combined with specialized training and competitive underwater events created specifically for veterans who have been injured while serving in the United States armed forces. The International Association of Handicapped Divers will serve as the host agency providing specialized training and rehabilitation sessions using scuba diving to wounded veterans representing the following organizations: 9Line, Divers for Heroes, Freedom Divers, Hope For The Warriors, Special Operations Forces Wounded Warriors.
Allen Sherrod of South Lake Divers will serve as the host dive shop for the event. Sherrod is currently attempting to break the world record for the longest scuba dive in Lake David in Groveland Florida. As part of his record setting attempt he is collecting donations which will be presented to the wounded veterans at the conclusion of the event to offset travel and food expenses.
Beginning with this race, DPV’s will be assigned into race classes using a system to measure the thrust before the race begins. For more information on the thrust tests, click here
Scuba West will be picking up empty tanks at 5 PM on Friday and Saturday and will return them before the next days days events. The Weeki Wachee Spring State Park does not provide tank rental or air fills. Participants must provide all equipment if they are not part of wounded veteran program. To make reservations for tank fills, click here.
For more info on the Formula H2O underwater racing league, click here.
Related Articles
Start Your Engines! The word’s out: DPV racing is quickly becoming a favorite underwater sport. And it’s not just for divers. When I went to the Sport Diver offices to check out the See Doo GTI Sea Scooter, I was stoked. Not only was I heading down to Pompano Beach to dive the Tracy, a wreck just off Florida’s Atlantic coast, but it would also be my first time diving with a DPV (diver propulsion vehicle). To top it off, I would be racing in Formula H20’s Gold Coast Underwater Grand Prix – an underwater scooter race.
