HDS-USA 2005 Conference

Tarpon Springs, Florida
Friday, October 14-Sunday, October 16, 2005
(the weekend after DEMA)

Join the HDS and the City of Tarpon Springs in celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the first Greek divers to arrive in Tarpon Springs.

Friday October 14, 2005
6-9pm
The Sponge Exchange, Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks City welcoming reception. Meet the local sponge divers, and descendants of the original divers in the forecourt of the historic sponge exchange. Greek food, exhibits of equipment, and more.

Saturday October 15, 2005
9.30 am - 4.30 pm
The HDSUSA 2005 Conference
Performing Arts Center, Tarpon Springs City Hall

Program Speakers

20,000 Jobs Under The Sea
Torrance Parker
Recognized as one of America’s most senior divers, Torrance Parker began his professional diving career in Tarpon Springs, in 1947. His adventures in the jungle rivers of South America, and the formation of Parker Diving, were covered in his critically acclaimed book, 20,000 Jobs Under The Sea, which quickly sold out. Now, 58 years after he first left, Torrance returns to Tarpon Springs to tell of his diving career and his recent dives in the old sponge grounds in the Gulf of Mexico.

Deep Down Under with Greek Divers
Bob Ramsay
Although Tarpon Springs is the most famous international outpost of Greek divers, it is not the only one. Many left Greece for a new life in the South Pacific. Diving historian Bob Ramsay tells the history of immigrant Greek divers down under in Australia.

The Japanese Divers of California
A.L. Scrap Lundy
Around the same time that the Greek divers crossed the Mediterranean and Atlantic to Tarpon Springs, Japanese divers crossed the Pacific to work in California. Author Scrap Lundy goes back 100 years to present the history of these immigrant divers from the east, and the American industry they developed.

Helmets of the Deep
Leon Lyons
Recognized as one of the leading authorities on diving helmets, Leon’s book, Helmets of the Deep, found an eager international audience and is now out of print. Leon presents a visual record of some of the rarer items he has encountered over his 30 years of collecting.

Includes equipment and historical photograph exhibit Conference tickets $30

The HDSUSA 2005 Awards "Greek" Banquet
6pm - 10.30pm
The Spartan Banquet Room
Pappas Riverside Restaurant
Guest Speaker, underwater film-maker Nick Caloyianis Banquet tickets $35, limited seating

Traditional Sponge Helmet Diving Experience
This event will take place on Sunday, October 16, 2006 at the Sponge Docks. The current plan is to dive from a traditional Tarpon Springs sponge boat anchored in the mouth of the Anclote River. Diving operations will be supervised by Hyperbarics International, who operated our successful 2003 event at Key Largo. Diving slots are $100. Reservations and payment can be made M-F, 9am-5pm ET, with Rick Ford at Hyperbarics International at 305-394-1706, or by email at ricklynn@terranova.net.

Ticket & Hotel Information

Conference tickets are $30. HDS Annual Dinner with guest speaker $35. Save $5 with a combined Conference/Dinner ticket for $60. Sunday sponge diving slots are $100, and are very limited. For all ticket information contact the HDS office at 805-934-1660, Monday to Friday 9am - 1 pm Pacific time, or fax 805-938-0550 at hds@hds.org.

The official Conference hotel is Hampton Inn & Suites, 39284 U.S. 19 North, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689. We have rooms blocked out on the nights of Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15. HDS room rates are $69 for a standard room and $99 for a suite, plus applicable taxes. For reservations, contact the Hamptom Inn & Suites at 1-866-945-7755, or 727-945-7755, fax 727-945-7743, or via email at TPATS_Hampton_Suites@hilton.com. Ask for the HDS Conference rate. Complimentary transportation from the hotel to HDS events will be provided by the City of Tarpon Springs.

Tarpon Springs Conference 2005

Tarpon Springs Mayor, Beverley Billiris (second from left), accepts goodwill gifts from Historical Diving Society co-founder Leslie Leaney during a three hour meeting at City Hall in early May. The city is fully supports the Conference and is offering assistance in various forms. Also present to finalize plans were master helmet maker Nick Toth (left) and Society Director Lee Selisky (right), who are members of the conference organizing committee.

Photo 2005 © William Burr/Suncoast News

Full Conference information is in Historical Diver magazine issue 42 and 43.