After a busy Friday getting all our dive gear and chili paraphernalia ready and packed Birddog and I hit the road early on Saturday for the quick run up to the Blue Lagoon. We arrived about 9 o'clock and got signed in, sorted out a shelter for CHUM and then realized we were a little ahead of schedule so we hung around the office for bit catching up. After a little chili smack talk with other groups we went down to lagoon 2 to get set up.
We dropped our dive bags off at the shelter and we set about getting the tailgate set up complete with inflatable Nessie, Megalodon and farm yard animals for the tailgate votes. The other CHUMers soon arrived including Wet, fresh from her travels in Florida and Sushi Boy with the CHUM banner so the tailgate was soon finished and we could get ready for the diving.
All the divers were geared up and ready to begin when the countdown hit zero. Birddog and I picked up our tokens within a few minutes and after spending some time swimming about headed out to go and put the chili on leaving the other buddy groups to hunt down their tokens. After a quick change into something a little more pirate we set about getting the chili warmed up and the fixings ready before the judges would come round to get their samples.
Before the chili tasting kicked off it was time for the results of the treasure hunt. The sponsors had again been extremely generous with their donations, and as the numbers were called out there were plenty of happy faces as people collected the pirate botty they had won.
The next hour was spent serving up a near continuous stream of people and as the pot steadily emptied we heard plenty of good comments about our offering. I did manage to get around some of the other tailgates to try out the competition and you could tell it was a high level.
All too soon the chili pots had emptied, the votes had been cast and it was time to announce the results.
It was starting to get very warm so after quickly getting everything packed back in the truck and then finding my keys (thanks Birddog) we parked up at the shelter and joined the CHUM group for a refreshing swim/float in the lagoon to cool off before heading home.
It was great to have a good turn out from CHUM this year and that everyone had a good time. Thanks to the crew at Dive Pirates and the Blue Lagoon for putting this great event for such a worthwhile cause. I for one am looking forward to next years event.