BUDDIES CHRISTMAS DINNER

Christmas Party

Xmas Meal

"OUR VERY OWN EYE CANDY" - RED SEA NOV 08

Red Sea Trip Nov 08 (3) - Pauls Photos

This album is for the girls that are getting bored with looking at the fish................

Pauls photos.

MORE RED SEA PHOTOS

Red Sea Trip Nov 08 (2)

MY RED SEA PHOTOS - BY ANGIE

Red Sea Trip Nov 08

EMERGENCY OXYGEN USE - INSTRUCTOR COURSE

Margarett has ran her first Padi Emergency Oxygen Instructor Course yesterday with Cengiz. This is a brand new course which she will be running over the winter months for anyone with Divemaster or above, so if anyone wishes to book this course and become an Instructor for this speciality - call the office for further info.

Also the Emergency Oxygen Use course will also be run over the winter months for all divers as a speciality - if you have previously done this course as a DAN Oxygen Provider - it is basically the same - so check your certification cards date, as they are only valid for 2 years. For more information on this course call the office.

STUDENT TRAINING @ BRIGHTON MARINA 19TH OCTOBER 2008

A few photo's taken from training on Sunday 19th October 2008.

CITY OF WATERFORD - SAT 11TH OCTOBER 2008

*Permission to publish these photo's has been granted by all those involved*

Below are the photo's taken on Saturday 11th October, City of Waterford.

Just to put every one's minds to rest, Kim and Steve were airlifted to the Haslar Hospital, Portsmouth and upon arrival it was felt that they did not need to be put into the decompression chamber but were retained there for observation only and released a few hours later.

We would like to point out that the heath and safety of all our divers is our number one priority and the call was made as a precautionary measure.

We would also like to thank the Portsmouth Coastguard Rescue Team for their professional and speedy response.

City of Waterford Rescue -

CHRISTMAS DINNER LIST - SO FAR.....

1. Margarett
2. Peter
3. Codfather
4. Ally
5. Angie
6. Suet
7. Richard
8. Ray
9. Debbie
10. Andrew
11. Andrew Guest
12. Allison
13. Arek
14. Roger
15. Roger Guest.
16. Alan
17. Debbie
18. Steve
19. Kerry.
20. Ken
21. Derek
22. Josh
23. Alan
24. Jennifer.
25. Richard G
26. Vicky G
27. Kim
28. Tas
29. Tracie L
30. Timmy (Alan)
31. Sara B
32. Matt G
33. Mick H
34. Carol H
35. Alice
36. Alice Guest
37. Dave G
38. Nat G
39. .
40. .

STUDENTS ACHIEVEMENTS - SEPTEMBER 2008

We wish to congratulate the following on this months achievements.

OPEN WATER

• Ian Cottenham
• Jaroslav Zibrun
• Toby Pettifor
• Alice Atkinson

ADVANCED OPEN WATER

• Kim Dawes

Well done to all the above........

HURGHADA REPORT

RED SEA REPORT - BY ANGIE

As many of you know (and from what I had heard, many of you found it funny) we were stuck in Hurghada due to the collapse of XL airways but are now back safe and sound (sorry Sue to disappoint you).

Amro and crew were on top form as usual - and for those of you who remember Ferres he is hoping to come on The Valerie for the November trip.

The weather was fantastic with temperatures 96f-98f most days - sea temperature of 26c - as to Hurghada well it is growing bigger than ever - the New Marina Boulevard is now open and worth a visit with approx 100 outlets there, they have entertainers along the boulevard in the evening and there is also a Rocket Bungee for the thrill seekers (didn't think my back would hold out though). You can check out the marina for yourselves:- http://www.hurghadamarina.com/

As usual the sea was spectacular with lots of sea life even for those who just want to snorkel. The worst part of my trip was the de-lay at the airport and having to wait for the CAA (cival aviation authority) to send out a flight to pick us up - which at one point we were told it was going to be a Monarch Flight (which didn't turn up) - so we had another de-lay whilst they sent out an Astreus Flight to collect us - but thanks to Amro we didn't have to sit it out at the airport, he collected us from the airport and dropped us back to the appartment. Cheers Amro.

All in all - this is still my favourite destination in the world. And my Arabic is coming on bundles so watch out Margarett.

CHRISTMAS DINNER - WEDNESDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2008 @ THE GOLDEN PALACE

Come and join the festive fun.

Christmas Dinner has been booked for Wednesday 10th December @ 7.30pm at The Golden Palace - Seaford. Could you please let me know if your coming, or place your name on the list in the shop.

THE UNDERWATER CHANNEL.TV - LAUNCH DAY

LAUNCH DAY HAS FINALLY ARRIVED 01/09/08

Click the following link:- http://www.theunderwaterchannel.tv/

COVENTRY CLUB - WEEKEND DIVING WITH NEWHAVEN SCUBA CENTRE

Newhaven - August 2008- Shopping & Scuba Trip!!

As a club our diving requirements are pretty basic, a boat, a skipper and willing divers.
Well - in the instance of this weekend, 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.
Out of 12 divers who made the pilgrimage from the centre of the country to the outland known as ‘Newhaven Scuba centre’ only 4 were willing to force ‘Richard’ into skippering the club RIB out into the gentle force 5 that blew steadily from the South West.
The remainder of the party electing to ‘go shopping in Brighton’. (Mostly females I hasten to add!!)

Once the 4 of us had loaded the boat we headed out to the harbour entrance, amongst regular requests from ‘Richard’ of “are you sure you want to go boys?” and “I’m not sure how good the viz will be”. We naturally assured him by repeatedly singing such well loved classics as, “rolling along on the crest of the wave”, “two little boys”, “Hernando’s hideaway” and “trail of the lonesome pine”, until we arrived at the dive site (City of Brisbane). All the while ‘Richard’ was noticed at regular intervals shaking his head while repeating almost under his breath, “They are mental”.

Once the wreck was shotted (right by the boilers we discovered) we kitted up and ‘went for it!’ At the bottom, the wreck was perfect 5-8 mtrs viz AND loads of fish.

The trip back to port was uneventful, other than a repeat of the repertoire on the way out, but with the addition of the theme from Hawaii five-o, as we were now riding the rollers like a surfboard. With ‘Richard’ once again repeating his repertoire while shaking his head.

After we had beached for an hour to fill bottles, we attempted to con, sorry tempt ‘Richard’ to take us back out. He made up some excuse about “deteriorating conditions” and a “worsening front” he even got one of his chums to put out a coastguard gale warning on the transistor radio on the boat. We graciously accepted the compromise and proceeded to get totally “wrecked” in the nearest hostelry.

The following day the weather had worsened. ‘Richard’ escorted us to the harbour wall where some of his co-horts were observed throwing large buckets of water over the wall from the south west; at this we were reluctantly Coventry bound.


YOU DON’T FOOL US THAT EASILY RICHARD
WE WILL RETURN

HAR! HAR! HAR!

WRITTEN BY: - VERNON

THE UNDERWATER CHANNEL TV

Launch day is nearly here..............

It's the final countdown...

Click the following link for more info:-http://www.theunderwaterchannel.tv/

BANK HOLIDAY BBQ - MONDAY 25TH AUGUST 2008 WITH THE BUDDIES AND MacD DIVERS

BANK HOLIDAY BBQ

Wow, another great turn out, on yet another miserable Bank Holiday Monday.

Thanks to everyone who helped out with all the preparation and a special thank you to head chef Jordan who done all the cooking.

PADI EMERGENCY OXYGEN COURSE

A couple of photos taken from the 'New' Padi Emergency Oxygen Use course held today.

Margarett will be running this course over the winter months if you wish to do this speciality - also, for anyone who wishes to teach this course, the Instructor Course is scheduled for October.

For more information on this course call the dive centre or leave a comment on the blog.

RED SEA TO BE PLASTIC BAG FREE BY JANUARY 2009

HEPCA is working with the Governor of the Red Sea, to support his decree that the Red Sea will be the first plastic bag free Governorate in Egypt with effect from 1st January 2009.

This decree represents a considerable step forward in tackling the many issues caused by excess rubbish and in particular plastic bags in the Red Sea environment. Plastic bags pose a massive hazard to birds, turtles, dolphins and other marine creatures that are killed in alarming numbers each year after swallowing or becoming entangled in plastic bags blown out to sea.

Turtles easily mistake plastic bags for yummy jellyfish. Once in the stomach, the indigestible plastic wraps itself around the intestines of the creature and it slowly starves to death. This year, HEPCA has seen an increase in the number of dead turtles washed up on the shores of the Red Sea. Plastic bags and other rubbish are undoubtedly to blame in many cases.

Typically plastic bags are used for only 20 minutes before being thrown out; but they will each take up to 1,000 years to rot away. During their long decay millions of bags litter and pollute our streets, the desert, and are blown out to sea where they become a toxic plastic soup that threatens the existence of marine and wild life.

The Red Sea campaign follows many high profile campaigns in Europe to limit this most damaging form of pollution.

HEPCA will be working alongside the Governorate to suggest practical solutions and alternatives for plastic bags. As part of the campaign in support of this decree we will also be undertaking education initiatives and lobbying activities.

'FIZZING' SHALL NO LONGER BE........

As alot of you may already be aware that Richard has had a huge offer that he could not refuse for 'Fizzing' - but in due course he will be buying a new and much larger and better RIB. In the meantime, this seasons diving is to continue as normal, as MacD have offered to help us out in the interim and Richard will be involved in the driving and running of MacD.

NEWHAVEN TOWN COUNCIL - PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING THE RE-OPENING OF THE WEST BEACH

If possible could as many of you go to the above meeting to show your support for the Town Council's plans to apply for "Village Green" status for the beach and get the beach re-opened to the public.

For those who are not able to make the meeting, the link below provides the form which you will need to print out, fill in and return to the address on the form, or failing that, pop into the dive centre and fill one out.

http://www.newhaventowncouncil.gov.uk/pdf/Village_Green_form.pdf

PORTLAND/WEYMOUTH - 16TH -17TH AUGUST 2008

Sue is planning a diving weekend to Portland on 16th & 17th August, I know its short notice and at present there are four of them going (with partners) so far.

Glenn
Richard G
Suet
Richard H

The four of them (Plus Partners, Mum & Zak) are intending to drive to Sea Barn Farm on Friday 15th to pitch their tents/accommodation, they will then, be hopefully doing two dives on both Saturday & Sunday, a wreck & drift on each day - details to be confirmed by Julian Whyte using either Indie or Storm Force

So guys & girls there is room for 8 more on the RIB, let Sue know or contact NSC if you are interested – however, you will be responsible for booking your own accommodation/pitch.

http://www.seabarnfarm.co.uk/

Sea Barn Farm
Fleet
Weymouth
Dorset
DT3 4ED
Telephone: 01305 782218


http://royalbreakwaterhotel.com/

The Royal Breakwater Hotel
Castletown
Portland
Dorset
Telephone 01305 820476

BIG JELLYFISH SPOTTED FROM FIZZING - 27TH JULY 2008

WRITTEN BY SUE

There we were just minding our own business having dropped Aqua Element divers in for their second dive of the day, a drift off ‘Old Noor’ (They had earlier had a cracking dive on the TR Thompson) and out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of what I thought was a large plastic bag.

On further investigation it was a little more than a carrier bag. It was the biggest jellyfish I’ve seen so far in British waters, it remained near the surface for some time, this enabled us to get a good look at it. Back at the Centre, a search on the internet identified it as:

Rhizostoma octopus (=R. pulmo) Common names not often used include: Barrel Jellyfish, Football Jellyfish, Root-mouthed Jellyfish.

DEREK'S PHOTO ALBUM - JULY 2008 RED SEA

Derek's Photos - July 2008 Red Sea

EFR COURSE - SUNDAY 27TH JULY 2008

EFR COURSE

Some photo's from the EFR Course on Sunday 27th July 2008. Congratulations to you all on passing.

CHERYL @ THE BUDDIES MEETING 11TH JULY 2008

Buddies Meeting 11th July 2008

As we all expected the whole of the Agenda for the meeting was blown out due to a very special dear couple turning up 'Cheryl and Dan' (who now live in Australia). Cheryl brought back to us all some real old memories, and of course, (for those of you who remember Cheryl) she had us all in fits of laughter with some of the stories she told. It was lovely to see them both again and they were looking really well. Cheryl is hoping to come on the live aboard next year with us in July when they come back to the U.K. for their holiday.

MEETING AGENDA WAS AS FOLLOWS:-

1. Someone to do a write-up on July Red Sea Trip
2. BBQ & Beach dive planned for Sat 9th August 3pm (weather permitting)
3. Padi Project Aware Golf Day - August 11th (2 x Teams have now been entered) if anyone wishes tickets for the evening meal - let the office know a.s.a.p. -tickets are £32.00
4. Ocean Optics - Underwater Camera Presentation plus wet session
5. BDMLR Conference - Sat 6th September - tickets £10
6. Project Aware - Beach clean up - Sat 20th Setember - volunteers
7. Selsey/Littlehampton day trips
8. Debbie has now set up Newhaven Buddies Group on Facebook
9. Special 'Responders in Action' Award for Richard
10. Underwater Garden Feature - needs to be started now
11. Trip to Lundy Island
12. Lee trying to organise Dive in Shark Tank @ The London Aquarium
13. All new Open Water Students now receive a free full days kit hire upon passing
14. DPV Speciality available
15. NEW Padi Emergency Oxygen Provider Course - £100 or Instructors £150
16. PROJECT AWARE:- Ink Cartridges, The Giving Machine, Reef Cards, Whale Shark Project
17. Red Sea Trip - November 7th 2008 - starting from 'Marsa Alam'
18. Red Sea Trip - July 2009 aboard the new 5* Luxury Live Aboard MY Gelen
19. Scapa Flow - July 4th 2009
20. Next Buddies meeting

BEACH DIVES THIS WEEKEND

Anyone who wishes to do a beach dive this weekend the tide times are as follows:-

Saturday 7th June HW (6.5) 14.48 meet @ 13.00 Dive Centre

Sunday 8th June HW (6.3) 15.36 meet @ 13.45 Dive Centre

PROJECT AWARE 'KIDS' @ ALDRINGTON PRIMARY SCHOOL HOVE

Margarett with Year 2 from Aldrington Primary School Hove

THE VALERIE

Here are some photo's of The Valerie since her refurbishment.

MY VALERIE

PADI GOLF DAY 2008 IN SUPPORT OF PROJECT AWARE

Join PADI International Ltd on Monday 11th August, and Tee Off for the 2008 Golf Day!
Back by popular demand, this year's event is again in support of the Project AWARE Foundation (International) charity, devoted to preserving the aquatic environment.
As ever we have a great auction selection lined-up together with enticing competition prizes thanks to the generosity of industry friends. This year's headline auction prize has been donated by Regal Diving and consists of a luxurious week long winter-sun break for two people to the sophisticated resort of El Gouna on the Red Sea Riviera.

This is how the day will progress:
Breakfast Bacon Rolls & Coffee from 10:30am
18 Holes of Golf with Tee Off at 11:30am
Pre-dinner drinks at 7:00pm followed by dinner at 7:30pm at the Shendish Manor with raffles and prizes.
Tickets for golf and dinner are £65.00 per person inclusive of VAT. Tickets for dinner guests only are £32.00 per person inclusive of VAT.
All profits will be donated to Project AWARE Foundation (International) Charity No 1073327.

PADI Charity Golf Day 2008 Table of Events
10.00am Arrive at Shendish Manor Coffee & Bacon Rolls to be served - Coach House (located in the golf club).
Collect your goody bags containing golf balls kindly donated by Suunto.
11.30am Tee-off
4.30pm Compare golfing stories at the Coach House Bar.
7:00pm Opportunity to purchase pre-dinner drinks in the Shendish Manor Bar.
7.30pm Dinner in the Shendish Manor - Wine compliments of PADI, menu details to follow.
11.00pm Function to Finish.

Competitions on the day will include (but are not limited to) the following:
Best Individual Score (Suunto).
Best Team Score (PADI).
Best Ladies Score (Suunto).
Longest Drive (Oceanic UK).
Nearest the Pin (Scubapro).
Best Front Nine (Waterproof).
Best Back Nine (Waterproof).

PADI Golf Day 2008 in support of the Project AWARE 2008

*For any other details call the office*

WEYMOUTH/PORTLAND TRIP MAY 17TH/18TH 2008

Fathom & Blues

The dive centre at Portland, Fathom and Blues, is moving into a local pub The Ferrybridge Inn by April. The ground floor will be a full dive centre with slip way .The upstairs is the pub and cafe' and you can go in - in diving gear! Alongside that they are opening long term cheap bunk style accommodation in four to six person rooms at about £15 per person per night, it has beds/ bathrooms/sitting room kitchen/wireless internet/T.V. viewing area and kit drying area.

The link below gives a full panorama view from the Ferrybridge Inn

http://www.weymouthpanorama.co.uk/wp092.htm

TEAM INTREPID BRAVES SEVERE WEATHER FOR BIRTHDAY DIVE

SUE'S BIRTHDAY DIVE

The weather forecast suggested that Sunday would be a bit rough and so no boat dives were planned. Mick and I were up for a dive in the Marina and encouraged glen to join us and so Sunday morning found us at the Marina in brilliant warm sunshine and gin like water with not a ripple in sight. Then the phone rang…
Glen was at the centre and Richard was taking Fizzing out for a Dive on Sue’s “real” birthday (does she get 2 like the Queen then)? Ropes off at 11:00, do we want to go? Of course we did! However, we needed torches and reels/SMB’s that we had not bought for the marina and so a quick trip to Eastbourne to collect the extra kit was necessary.
Arrived Eastbourne 10:05 with overcast and darkening skies. Grabbed the kit and set off just as the snow started to fall. Within a mile cars were pulling over and no way were we going to get over Beachy Head to Seaford. Back to the A22/A27 and an accident at Middle Farm had closed the road but luckily it was quickly cleared. Finally get to the centre at 12:15 in a blizzard.
On the boat instead of the usual dive preparations a snowball fight ensued with Margarett receiving most of the hits. Upon reaching the Brisbane there is another dive boat, luckily just picking up their divers. Richard drops the shot in perfectly and we are in the water – warmth at last! With the air temp at about +2⁰ the water at 8⁰ felt like a bath, however, with vis of about (god only knows) the dive was, well, “interesting”. Back on the boat and the weather had not got any better so we head back at full speed (with Richard imitating Biggles with a dive mask to keep the snow out of his eyes) and to the waiting warmth of the centre.
A big thanks to Richard for getting the boat into the water and for putting up with the cold and to Sue who can now add a “Snow diving” speciality to her list of birthday presents!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUE

SUETS 40TH

All the Buddies would like to wish Sue a Happy Birthday.

Hope you had a great time at your party. If you don't remember - then here is a reminder from the night.

THE ELITE TEAM PHOTOS

Brighton Marina 29th March 2008

Click on the above to open the photo gallery.

PLASTIC BAGS!

Buddies who take the Daily Mail could not miss the papers campaign to reduce the number of carrier bags that retailers give to their customers each year with the first seven pages of the paper devoted to banishing the bags – currently in the region of 13 Billion! M&S too are now going to start charging customers for bags.
At first this may seem unconnected to diving and marine life but it is a sad fact that a percentage of these bags find their way into the world’s oceans where they cause terrible damage to marine life. Turtles can get caught up in them or worse, swallow them thinking they are jellyfish and suffer a terrible death as the bags block their digestive system. Whales can become victims as a graphic picture of a Cuviers Beaked Whale shows as it lies dead on a beach having swallowed no less than 23 bags. This is not happening in third world countries but right here in the UK with this particular whale being washed up on the Isle of Mull; thousands of sea birds too are being killed by these bags.
What can we do? Well, apart from reducing the number of bags we use and using the “Bag for Life” schemes run by the supermarkets, the Daily Mail is petitioning the Government and you too can sign the online petition HERE It wont take a moment and it will help prevent the terrible suffering that we inadvertently inflict on marine life and don’t forget to recycle your bags or better still, use a greener alternative.

Read about The Daily Mail Campaign

UP FOR GRABS - 2 FREE TICKETS FOR HORSEA DIVE SITE

We have received 2 free tickets for Horsea Island Dive Site. As we have use of our own dive site in Brighton Marina 24/7 these are of no use to us. Any club member who wishes to go can either phone the office, post a comment on the blog or pop in to collect them - it will be on a first come, first served basis.

FROM "FIZZING"

FROM CODFATHER

Hi everyone just back from sunnier climates, don't like to rub your noses in it but water temp was only 22 degrees !

BUDDIES MEETING

We are holding a meeting on Friday 25th January @ The Harbourside (opposite the dive centre) 7pm for anyone who wants to put suggestions for dive trips and other activities throughout this year.

At the moment we are looking at a dive trip to Littlehampton one to Weymouth, one to Scapa Flow and perhaps one to Cyprus as well as the usual Red Sea Trips.

Make sure you bring your diary along so that we can book suitable dates for all.