Organising dive trips...

[stevechesh]

Well, i wasn't too sure where to post this. Didn't want to clutter up the Planned trips section and this didn't seem to quite fit in any of the others, so here goes:


I started organising trips to go to the wrecks i wanted to see, because i didn't want to see the "usual" tourist wrecks...As a result, to make these trips happen, meant i sometimes suffered a financial "loss". Reasons being, you won't get many divers willing to part with extra money to cover the empty spaces. These are the downfalls of being an organiser. Garf last year had a similar problem with regard to Scapa, and i know how he must have felt with that financial burdon hanging over him.........

To give an example, i ended up paying £160 for 1 dive last year, and this was my most expensive loss of last years season, but the dive in itself was fantastic, which made up for it in a small way.......

So, now onto the questions:

1. How much are you prepared to pay for a dive to:

a: a "tourist" wreck.

b: an unknown mark (bear in mind it could be a pile of stone and you won't know until you get down there)?

2. Do you prefer old sailing ships?

3. Do you prefer old steamships?

4. Not bothered what wreck i dive?

5. What's your preferred depth:

a: 10-20 metres
a: 20-30 metres
c: 30-40 metres
d: 40-50 metres
e: 50-60 metres
f: 60-70 metres
g: 70-80 metres
h: 80+ metres

I'll probably think of some more bit's and bob to add, but i'd be interested in your opinions, as i know a lot of the trip organisers, myself included, are thinking of giving it up. . . .

Thanks in advance

Steve

[Sparky750]

Originally Posted by stevechesh

Well, i wasn't too sure where to post this. Didn't want to clutter up the Planned trips section and this didn't seem to quite fit in any of the others, so here goes:


I started organising trips to go to the wrecks i wanted to see, because i didn't want to see the "usual" tourist wrecks...As a result, to make these trips happen, meant i sometimes suffered a financial "loss". Reasons being, you won't get many divers willing to part with extra money to cover the empty spaces. These are the downfalls of being an organiser. Garf last year had a similar problem with regard to Scapa, and i know how he must have felt with that financial burdon hanging over him.........

To give an example, i ended up paying £160 for 1 dive last year, and this was my most expensive loss of last years season, but the dive in itself was fantastic, which made up for it in a small way.......

So, now onto the questions:

1. How much are you prepared to pay for a dive to:

a: a "tourist" wreck.
enough so the organiser isn't dipping in his own pocket
b: an unknown mark (bear in mind it could be a pile of stone and you won't know until you get down there)?

same again as long as i know before hand when i can hit the depths you guys can these are the dives i want to do

2. Do you prefer old sailing ships?

3. Do you prefer old steamships?

4. Not bothered what wreck i dive?
not bothered although i prefer intactish or some good history like the moari (sp) in malta

5. What's your preferred depth:

a: 10-20 metres
a: 20-30 metres
c: 30-40 metres
d: 40-50 metres
e: 50-60 metres
f: 60-70 metres
g: 70-80 metres
h: 80+ metres

I'll probably think of some more bit's and bob to add, but i'd be interested in your opinions, as i know a lot of the trip organisers, myself included, are thinking of giving it up. . . .

Thanks in advance

Steve

Anything up to 50 at the moment 40 being perfect for me personally. However i'm trying to get better honest My feeling is it is give a price for the minimum to make the trip a goer if there is more on it great if not everyone knows the score and there is no bitching personally i'd rather pay up the extra than see anyone go short after going through all the hassle of organising

[Sipadan]

I have organised a lot of trips (not YD), here and abroad, but no more. I'm not expecting people to name their kids after to me, but a simple thanks or even a pint would have been nice, but it was sadly lacking. What I did get was a load of bitching about something or other, despite making endless phone calls to skippers and guest houses and putting my own money up front. Now I sort trips for myself and a couple of close mates.

[Sparky750]

Originally Posted by Sipadan

I have organised a lot of trips (not YD), here and abroad, but no more. I'm not expecting people to name their kids after to me, but a simple thanks or even a pint would have been nice, but it was sadly lacking. What I did get was a load of bitching about something or other, despite making endless phone calls to skippers and guest houses and putting my own money up front. Now I sort trips for myself and a couple of close mates.

This is the way it shouldn't be. Our DO organised a weeks diving in Malta for the club for about 3 days i was able to contain myself on the 4th day all the toys came out of the pram I was sick of all the bitching about the accommodation, the flights the luggage allowance and so much more. The guy had put a lot of time and effort into the trip ok some things where not perfect but with the budget some of these moaners had set it was bloody fantastic you can not have a rolex with a timex budget. My view is i'm grateful someone has both the time and the inclination to sort a trip out i know my job doesn't afford me this so i'm grateful to others that can do it. Something we all need to think about sometimes or people will stop organising trips which isn't any good for anyone i always make a point of buying the organiser a pint or a bacon sarnie etc it's just simple manners and goes a long way in my experience one for you to be invited again and 2 for the person to do it again.


ps sorry little rant of my own there old age is getting to me

[witchieblackcat]

1. How much are you prepared to pay for a dive to:

a: a "tourist" wreck.
an equal share of the costs of getting there.

b: an unknown mark (bear in mind it could be a pile of stone and you won't know until you get down there)?
(assuming I know that we're looking at marks and not confirmed wrecks) an equal share of the costs of getting there .

2. Do you prefer old sailing ships?
3. Do you prefer old steamships?
4. Not bothered what wreck i dive?

Don't care as long as something is left.

5. What's your preferred depth:

a: 10-20 metres
a: 20-30 metres
c: 30-40 metres - I'm qualified to 50 but prefer length to depth)
d: 40-50 metres - Maybe - see above
e: 50-60 metres
f: 60-70 metres
g: 70-80 metres
h: 80+ metres

[Dave Abraham]

1. How much are you prepared to pay for a dive to:

a: a "tourist" wreck.
My share

b: an unknown mark (bear in mind it could be a pile of stone and you won't know until you get down there)?
My share

2. Do you prefer old sailing ships?

3. Do you prefer old steamships?

4. Not bothered what wreck i dive?
Don't care doesn't always have to be a wreck either

5. What's your preferred depth:

a: 10-20 metres
a: 20-30 metres
c: 30-40 metres
d: 40-50 metres
e: 50-60 metres
f: 60-70 metres
g: 70-80 metres
h: 80+ metres
40-50m for me but happy to go deeper if there's something worth seeing

I generally work out the cost based on 10 divers for a boat that takes 12. That way if we do fill the boat everyone gets something back if not then everyone gets a bit more space.

I have been the trip organiser now for almost 3 and a half years, never lost a deposit and have never run a trip at a loss. I don't use my own money I use club funds for deposits etc. and rather than booking accommodation I usually just recommend a place and let everyone book their own digs.

The first thing to remember with organising trips is that you will never please everyone so don't try just please yourself. I have some very broad shoulders if anyone starts moaning and a swift kick in the nuts tends to deter them from persisting.

Dave
Bolton area divers trip organiser

[TerryH]

I run upwards of 30 trips per annum, plus about three large number holidays
and its rare that i'll have spaces.

The trick is to not expect people to put there hands up. If you have
spaces, then start acting like a ticket tout and sell it. You can even
sell the shallower second dive to less experinced divers. Might not get the
full whack, but half is better than nothing,

[Ian@1904]

I run three trips a years and have done so for a few years now. Filling spaces was hard going for the first couple as I was not well known. Usually my trips sell out in days if not hours, these are to a depth of 35m max.
I have a Plymouth weekend in June where one day is 44m, and I still have space (1), day two can be filled easily enough. Day one we are diving the Totnes catle which is to deep for many regulars and not deep enough for most trimix divers, but Dave and I want to do this particular wreck.

I offer trips at a price and take the risk. If I have an empty space some generous souls will chip in a few extra quid, there are some generous and like minded peole on YD.

I never arrange accommodation. I provide useful information and my plans, but som epeole camp, others bunk house others 5 star, all for £25 max.

Always take a substantial deposit to confirm the booking, even from friends.

I have now stopped organising trips that will meet other peoples desires, the wrecks we do are what I want. Seems only fair as it is me arranging the boat, checking tides, gas supplies etc


Right I am off to Brighton now spot of diving

[Treerat]

Originally Posted by stevechesh

1. How much are you prepared to pay for a dive to:

a: a "tourist" wreck.
Share of boat costs

b: an unknown mark (bear in mind it could be a pile of stone and you won't know until you get down there)?
As above

2. Do you prefer old sailing ships?

3. Do you prefer old steamships?

4. Not bothered what wreck i dive?
So long as it's a fun day I'm happy

5. What's your preferred depth:

a: 10-20 metres
a: 20-30 metres, Anywhere from 3m to 35 ish
c: 30-40 metres , qualified to 50 but prefer the bottom time
d: 40-50 metres
e: 50-60 metres
f: 60-70 metres
g: 70-80 metres
h: 80+ metres



Steve

I've ran trips in both the UK and to Cyprus. I run them along the lines of - I'm going here, this is the cost, are you coming? I try and use venues / boats that the price is the same per person wheather there is 2 or 10 people. Not always possible but it seems to work for me.

If things don't go to plan I won't shoot the organiser, neither will anyone from my local group, they know full well that the poor bloke has done his best and are gratful for the opertuntity.

Andy

[Adrian Kelland]

I'd pay a fair share, not bothered about the odd unknown that turns into a pile of rocks, max depth of about 35-40m to get some time looking at said pile of rocks.

However there don't seem to be the opportunities at these depths - it seems everything is known... I would like to 'prove' the Radaas though.

Adrian