Looking to get started in Tampa

[Lucy-tudeOn4Feet]

Hi all -
just discovered this sport - it would be a natural for my girl (even tho she's 6)
wish I'd discovered it a few years ago.
trying to get started with her in the tampa, fl area,
but it looks like the nearest club is down in Ft. Myers/Naples.
gas is kind of high now to go there, I'm thinking.

couple questions if y'all can help clarify to a newbie?

1. do people join a club to practice weekly, or just once in a while?
2. must you join a club in order to participate in an event?

3. I'm not clear on affiliations - splashdog vs. dockdog, I think I get.
I'm not at all clear on where ultimate air dog fits in.

any suggestions / info would be most appreciated !
any other Tampa/St. Pete dock jumpers out there?
thanks !

Hello! I am organizing a dock diving club here in tampa! I have talked to splash dogs and they will assist us in any way. However we face some obstacles. Alligators sharks and dogs don't mix. So I am researching places and cost and getting club info started. I would love to have your help and look forward to this being a great fun adventure. Please call me at 8135412328. the convention center is hosting an event here in oct!

Please keep in contact with me as we get this moving. Any ideas and help will be wonderful! We have the backing of downtown dogs and cheap in hyde park! I'm so excited and hope to meet lucy and you soon!

What do you think!

Johnna

Hi, I am over in Clearwater and I am eagerly looking for a group to join with my 1 1/2 year old lab Chloe. She LOVES LOVES LOVES diving and retrieving in the water. I am having such a hard time locating anyone near me who is interested!!! Please let me know how you are coming along with starting a group and if there is anything I can do to help! Thank you!

-Amy

I am over in Lakeland and I am really wanting to get my puppy into splash dogs but with the price of gas it would be really hard to go to South Florida often enough to train him. Anything I could do to help get this club started here in tampa let me know. Thanks.

Well, you are the only person that has responded to me in our general area... I never ever in a million years thought it would be so difficult to find people in FLORIDA that were active in this sport! I guess the sharks and gators do pose a bit of a problem! I am willing to even travel a little bit but I haven't found anyone with a place for the pups to practice!!! Please let me know if you hear of anything, and I will let you know as well....

-Amy

Did you talk to the other two people? I will start looking around here for a place. Maybe we could put some flyers up around the local pet shops and veterinarians. I really am serious about this, I plan on going to Ft. Myers this October. My boy really is really looking for a purpose and I think this would be fun for him and me. Talk at you later.

Heather

If anyone is interested, Cypress Gardens is opening their waterpark for dogs and their owners on October 4. It is ten dollars for admission for 1 dog and 1 human, five dollars for each additional. The website to register is Humane Society of Polk County dot org. Look at special events, and then Rusty's pool party.

[Lucy-tudeOn4Feet]

Oh, that Cypress waterpark day would have been a riot - I read the post too late.
We're registered for the Ft. Myers event, I'm getting excited.
Yeah, I think the gators are a big concern.
The only docks I know about are at places where people put in their boats
on the bay, and that sure wouldn't work.
Hope to see some of you in Ft. Myers -

[pinto]

Hi, we are going to Ft. Myers for the first time on 1/3/09 to check it out. We live in Tampa. Are there any updates on starting a dock in Tampa area?
Happy New Year!!!

[Lucy-tudeOn4Feet]

So Pinto - how did it go? what did your pup think - fun?
nothing new up here in Tampa area, I don't think.
I don't know of anywhere to practice here.
There's an event coming up in Punta Gorda April/May.