STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS - NOVEMBER 2009

Congratulations to the following on this months achievements:-

OPEN WATER

• Nina Sedlakova (Scuba Diver)
• Barnaby Godwin-Brown
• Liam Bryant
• James Draven (Referral)

ADVANCED OPEN WATER

• David Hanrahan

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY - 8TH NOVEMBER 2009

A few photo's taken from Remembrance Sunday.

The service was performed at sea just off the harbour by a reverend over the boat radio's to about 20 boats, the wreaths were laid after the 2 minute silence which was started with the lifeboat station sending up the maroon/flare.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS - OCTOBER 2009

Congratulations to the following on this months achievements:-

OPEN WATER

• Caroline Tobutt
• Maxine Rittman

ADVANCED OPEN WATER

• Suzy Schroter
• Trystan Sanders

XMAS MEAL - THAI ELEPHANT II - THURSDAY 17TH DECEMBER 2009

We have booked our Christmas Party this year @ The Thai Elephant II for Thursday 17th December @ 7.30pm.

Could you please put your name down on this list in the shop or let me know a.s.a.p with a £5.00 deposit to secure your place.

TRAFALGAR NIGHT - SATURDAY 17TH OCTOBER @ 6.30PM - RIVERSIDE HALL

I know its a bit short notice - but if you would like to attend could you please let me know a.s.a.p

The evening will consist of a member of "Savage Caricatures" who will attend and draw as many of those attending as possible (you could give them to a member of your family as a christmas present). There will also be a talk with slides by Peter Bailey OBE on the history of Newhaven Port, and other related local nautical matters including The Brazen.

There will be a meal costing £8.00 of Spaghetti Bolognaise and a dessert (£2.00 included towards caricatures) and they do cater for vegetarians, and there will also be a bar.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 8TH NOVEMBER (11.00 @ SEA) - ABOUT A MILE OFF NEWHAVEN

Seeing as we spend alot on time on WW1/WW2 wrecks - we are going to take part in this years Remembrance Sunday Service at Sea along with some verterans and the Lifeboat. We are planning on taking both Ribs (Top Knots & Mac D) spaces will be limited so if you would like to attend - lay a wreath or light a floating candle and pay your respects to the people who fought for this country (and gave us some spectacular wrecks to dive) contact the dive centre, post back on the blog or put your name down in the shop.
Along with the ceremony at sea, on return we will be meeting with the others who have attended at the RNLI building.

WEYMOUTH/PORTLAND TRIP 26TH /27TH SEPTEMBER 2009 - PHOTOS

WEYMOUTH/PORTLAND TRIP 26TH /27TH SEPTEMBER 2009

Photo's provided by Sara - from Weymouth/Portland Weekend Trip

PORTLAND CAMPING WEEKEND - 26TH/27TH SEPTEMBER 2009

REPORT WRITTEN BY SUE

We couldn’t have picked a better weekend to go away, unseasonably warm, sunny weather, perfect for camping. With the car loaded with dive & camping gear we headed off late morning. When we arrived Sara was already at Sea Barn Farm Campsite with her new tent, which was far better then her ‘cow pat’! Our marquee went up superbly, the same couldn’t be said for Sara’s, the instructions were not very helpful & a difference of opinion as to how the guy ropes went but finally, after nearly an hour, with the help of Richard G & Richard H it was up. Steve was going to share Sara’s tent however, there wasn’t enough room for his airbed so change of tent & he bunked in the marquee.

The two Richards were going diving off Chesil Beach, after seeing the boys safely in the water, Sara, Steve & I made sure that the Cove Inn was still up to standard, while keeping an eye on their SMB. Just as we got our second round in, the intrepid divers returned having seen a John Dory, dog fish, pipe fish & much more. Kim had called to say she was well on her way & Ray arrived just as we sat down to our pints, after which the venue changed as there was no seating available at the Cove for us to eat, it was too chilly to eat outside. Off to the Breakwater for some welcomed hot food & more drink, hic! Having guiding Kim into Castletown via phone we were all present for our weekend of ‘deep’ diving!!!

With the temperature dropping a quick visit to ASDA to purchase another quilt was in order and we all snuggled down to sleep as it was an early start in the morning, ropes off at 8am! And there was nothing wrong with my pyjamas! Now the first dive has a bit of a tale, the dive was to be the Black Hawk, which according to Richard H was in 48m…..eeek! Everyone was sworn to secrecy so that Kim didn’t worry!

After MY sleepless night of worrying about the depth, we loaded the RIB, Sabre, the skipper gave us a briefing about the RIB & dive, the Black Hawk at 17m. Did he just say 17m? It turns out that the Black Hawk is in two sections, the bow is in 17m & the stern is in 48m, phew, thank goodness for that. This meant a lot of leg pulling for Richard, what with the antics of the previous weekends diving, running tides & sand bar etc etc, all in very good spirits of course…well most of the time!

The Black Haw k was a 7191 ton US Liberty Ship, built in 1943, with a gun on the stern (the bit in 48m!), she sunk on 29th December 1944 thanks to a torpedo from U-772 which blew off her stern (in 48m!!!) the bow stayed afloat & was towed to Worbarrow Bay where it was beached. The bow is a shallow dive, only 17m. A very broken, tangled wreck as it has twice been dispersed. A fabulous dive, one I haven’t done before.

A nice hot chocolate & chocolate biscuit back on board but we were all more than ready for a cooked breakfast. We had plenty of time before out next dive to the M2 on Scimitars hard boat, Cutless.

With our tanks & bellies full we loaded the gear onto the Cutless & ropes were off at 1:15pm, with the sun shinning & the sea flat the ride out to the M2 was very pleasant, with a loo on board too, perfect, well it would have been if the glass in the door had been a little bit more frosted….poor Steve, us girls still don’t believe its THAT big! We were the first at the site & the skipper shot the wreck, it wasn’t slack water yet (take note Richard!) so we had a little wait. First in were the two re-breathers followed shortly by the rest of us.

Most divers know the M2, she was a Royal Navy aircraft carrying submarine. She was laid down in Vickers shipyard in 1916 & launched in 1919. Armed with a 12 inch gun & torpedoes. She sank while on exercise on 26th January 1932. Maybe it might have been her hanger doors or maybe a failure of the rear hydroplanes, who knows, I don’t know anybody that was there?

The M2, even though I have dived it many times, still remains one of my favourite wrecks, Sara, Kim & myself were the last in, the shot line was over the sub about midway between the hanger & bow. This was Kim’s first time diving in Dorset, so I showed her the forward hydroplanes, torpedo tubes then back to the deck & hanger, spending what remained of our bottom time around the conning tower before making our way back to the surface. Sara had taken some fab photos, one of which was rather spooky, having aimed the camera into a hole to take a shot of a conga, the actual image had a no conga but a distinct ghost like shadow, where’s Scully & Mulder when you need them, oooer!

Back at the campsite for a cuppa & a warm shower before heading to the Ilchester Arms in Abbotsbury for some food, then early night and we were all cream crackered. Up early again on Sunday for our last dive the Binnendijk SS, locally known as the Benny.Built in 1921, she was 6,875 tons. She struck a mine on 7th October 1939 enroute to Rotterdam. She went down slowly & ablaze on 8th October 1939. She now lays in 27m of water & is very broken after salvage operations.

Upon our arrival at the dive site there were already several other boats there. Richard G & I descended down the shot to the wreck, we found a lobster, tyres & a rubber glove, oh & some fish too!

Back to Castletown for some breakfast & rinse the kit before we went back to the camp site to pack up the tents & make our way home.

Another brilliant weekend, roll-on next year.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY EVENING WITH PAUL DUXFORD (CAMERAS UNDERWATER) MONDAY 7TH DECEMBER @ 7.30PM - CAVENDISH COMMUNICATIONS NEWHAVEN

SEEING THE SIGHTS - BUT CANT GET A SHOT TO MATCH

Newhaven Scuba are hosting an evening with Paul Duxfield of Cameras Underwater. Duxy has written for almost every diving magazine and is an expert on how to get the best from compact digital cameras.

You spend a fortune on equipment, trips and cameras so spend an evening to learn how to capture those magic moments from even the most basic of set-ups for FREE.

Learn the secrets:

1. Too blue? - the magic setting!
2. Composition
3. Focus lock and why you should use it
4. Lighting
5. Getting 'personality' from your shots
6. Trick dramatic shots

This is a FREE event but please register your interest so we can cater for the appropriate numbers.

VENUE:- CAVENDISH COMMUNICATIONS - AVIS WAY, NEWHAVEN

LITTLEHAMPTON TRIP

LITTLEHAMPTON DAY TRIP

Written By SUET
Photo's By Richard Garrett

LITTLEHAMPTON 19TH SEPTEMBER 2009

It was an early start for skippers & crew of Top Knots & MacD. To enable us to meet up with the divers for an 8:30 breakfast at Littlehampton we intended to leave Newhaven Harbour at 7:30. However, the tide was against us as both RIBs were still on the mud at 7am, an omen for the day maybe? I got us a take out coffee from the Captains Table, by the time we were afloat we had to then wait for the ferry that was entering the harbour. At 7:57 we were off.

The 23 mile trip was reasonably comfortable and we were more than ready for our breakfast, although we were a little later than the 8:30 arrangement. Ray kindly phone as we were making our way up the river to ask what we wanted for breakfast, Richard couldn’t make his mind up what he wanted & navigate the river too, multi tasking & making a decision, men! We moored the RIBs, Richard & Alan went off to sort the Marina fees while I trotted off to order breakfast & catch up with the divers. A welcomed pee, a cup of coffee & breakfast on it’s way. As I was tucking into my ‘Early Riser’ still no sign of the skippers so the café kindly kept theirs warm.

By the time we’d all had our fill of cuppas & grub three divers were still missing, Rocky, Kim & Suzy, stuck in traffic, the best plans & all that, another omen? Rocky arrived but still no sign of Kim & Suzy……time was passing & we needed to have the RIBs loaded & ropes off by 11am. Kim & Suzy finally turned up & it was all hands on the get them & their kit together…great team work.

Buddy pairs & RIBs sorted we were off to the Shirala¹, 7miles off shore. Upon arrival Richard expertly shot the wreck first time, however the tide was still running, we were nice & early for high water…..or so we thought? The tide never seemed to slacken & almost right before our eyes the tide turned & no slack…lack of local knowledge!! We all kitted up & jumped in as quickly as possible, it was quite a task to roll into the water & catch the buoy before you flew past it rather fast, there were some misses!

It was hard going dragging yourself down the line, it didn’t ease on the bottom either, Richard G & I passed Margarett, Derek & Ray who were making their back up the line, once on the bottom we dragged ourselves over the wreck hoping to find a lee of the tide but alas we ran out of wreck & the viz wasn’t as good as we’d all hoped, with the long spell of North Easterly winds we’ve had there was great expectations for excellent viz, so we let go of the wreck & flew along the seabed & shortly after sent up out SMB’s.

We surfaced quite some way for the buoy, Alan wasn’t too far away from us & he radioed Richard on Top Knots that we’d surfaced. Thanks guys for hauling me back into Top Knots fully kitted as I needed to go back down the line to send up the shot, with plenty of air but not much energy & an offer from Glenn to accompany me, I was dropped back at the buoy to begin another long hard drag 25m down the line, with several rest stops on the way down & hugging the shot to catch my breath I successfully deployed the lift bag & sent the shot to the surface…..I hoped?

Boy racer Richard got reprimanded for his entry into the harbour by a man in his aluminium bath tub, after a lot of micky taking he redeemed himself by salvaging a child’s sand bucket which had been dropped by a member of the public on the quayside. Hooray & cheers for Top Knots.

All back safe & sound we made our way back to Littlehampton for a tank change & cuppa. The café was very slow with the orders especially for food, skippers said ropes off at 3pm as we needed to get back before low water as the is a sand bar at the mouth of the harbour which prevents entry at low water. With divers arriving with their chip & sarnies in hand we left for the far Mulberry². Having eating most of Glenn’s chips we arrived at the Mulberry along with one hard boat & several other RIBs. I missed out on this dive as lets face it I’d already done two dives! Unfortunately the skippers had to put a limit on this dive due to the falling tide & sand bar. By the time all our divers were back most of the other boats had gone.

Upon our arrival at the harbour entry Richard approached with care, watching the sounder dropping slowly, 1.2, 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, a flashing 0.6, clunk, that’ll be the bottom then? Try a different angel, nope, run around again, local knowledge, you just can’t beat it! Oh well, plan B! With the depth only being ½m we evicted the divers to play commandos up the beach & walk back to the Marina, while we headed back to Newhaven with all the gear. Watching them to make sure they all made it to the beach as it was obvious that the current was running fast, it was dragging at their legs, it was so tempting to call the authorities to say that a bunch of illegals had landed! The sand was soft & the pebbles steep & they still had a mile walk back to their cars. Ian ran the mile to get his truck & they all piled in like an Egyptian taxi back to the Marina! Well done Ian.

We had a mirror flat sea & made it back to Newhaven in under an hour only to find that because of the extremely big spring tides we couldn’t get the RIB’s back on the moorings, it just wasn’t our day with the tide! However, we were able to get onto one of the pontoons & I got the trolley from NSC to start unloading all the gear, 15 sets! The drag back up the pontoon fully loaded was a hard task even for me & Alan, just as we got to NSC with the first of three loads, Ian arrived, our knight in shinning armour again! With his fitness & strength we got all the gear into the centre ready for collection the next day, thanks Ian. By now there was enough water to moor the RIB’s and a well earned pint & an early night, boy was I shattered!

So, although things didn’t exactly go to plan, it was a day full of fun & an awful lot of laughter. Thanks everyone for a great day trip…..next time skippers lets do it on a neap tide?

WEYMOUTH/PORTLAND TRIP 26TH /27TH SEPTEMBER 2009

********** 1 X SPACE LEFT *************

We still have one space left for the weekend to Weymouth, if anyone wishes to go please contact the Dive Centre urgently - we need to fill this space.

RED SEA LIVEABOARD - NOVEMBER 27TH 2009 - MEETING TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY 4TH OCTOBER @ 2.30PM

The Red Sea Trip to the Northern Wrecks is now full.

We will be holding a meeting on Sunday 4th October @ 2.30pm for all those who are on this trip - please make sure that you will be here.

DAY TRIP TO LITTLEHAMPTON - SATURDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER

THIS TRIP IS NOW FULL.

EACH DIVER MUST HAVE 2 X TANKS AS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET AIR FILLS AT LITTLEHAMPTON - TANKS CAN BE HIRED FROM THE SHOP @ £4.00.

The arrangements for the trip to Littlehampton have now been made as follows:-

Both boat's (Top Knots & Macd) will be leaving Newhaven Marina early to travel down to Littlehampton. It is intended to meet first at the Cafe in the Harbour around 8.30 - 09.00 for breakfast (both skippers/crew will hopefully be joining you there). There will be 2 x dives. The first dive will be The Shirala - the Ribs will be ready to load the divers kit at 10.30 in the Harbour - please ensure that your kit is on the Rib at this time as we will be leaving the Harbour at 11.00am prompt and will not be waiting for late arrivals.

After a quick cuppa at the cafe and a tank change then it will be out for the second dive - The Mulberries.

1. Richard Garrett
2. Suzy
3. Kim
4. Sharon Palmer
5. Steve P
6. Derek
7. Margarett
8. Sue T
9. Leah
10. Andy
11. Ray Holt
12. Alan Doucette
13. Rocky
14. Ian Cottenham
15. Ron P
16. Dave A

Schedule's and maps are pinned up on the notice board in the shop if required.

MARGARETT & HER CADDY

A few photo's taken this week of Margarett and her Caddy (aka Amro) at El Gouna Golf Course and a couple of picture of an Eagle which keeps appearing on her balcony at her appartment in Hurghada.

NEW Web Site *LIVE*

Well its here....the new website is up and running.

It has a lot of information to add yet and some pages are still under construction , which I will sort out with the help of Angie.....

If you want to see something on the website please let us know, we want your ideas, its your website to.
So what you waiting for check it out www.newhaven-scuba.co.uk

Sara...x

TRIP TO CORNWALL - KERNOW DIVE FESTIVAL 19TH/20TH/21ST JUNE 2009

It looks as tough the weather is going to be good to us for once, so fingers crossed everyone it looks like we will be going diving. Also the basking sharks have been sited around the area - it would be amazing if we actually get to see them, my camera is ready!

BRIGHTON MARINA TRAINING/GNOME GARDEN

BRIGHTON MARINA TRAINING/GNOMES

Above are some photo's taken from training at Brighton Marina and a few photo's of the gnomes which we have re-housed there - we will be publishing some more photo's soon from our underwater garden as soon as the viz clears up.

BAFTA: A Life in Television with Sir David Attenborough.

http://www.davidattenborough.co.uk/

I thought I would share with you all one of the best evenings I have had in a long time, with a silver haired man & a voice that is known all over the world on Television.

It was of course a night at The Brighton Dome with Sir David Attenborough.

Melvin Bragg presented & asked Sir David questions through his life and experiences, with photos & videos for over 2 hours, with questions from the audience at the end.

Sir David went from his early days as a child with his Brother Richard, through to how he got in to TV & the making of so many great shows Beginning with "Life On Earth (1979). The Living Planet (1984). The Trials Of Life (1990). The Life Of Mammals (2002). Life In The Undergrowth (2005) and Life In Cold Blood (2008). All these are available in Books to accompany the series.

This was a tribute paid to Sir David by BAFTA, and it is also his autobiography which is in print called " David Attenborough: A Life on Air (2002).

Sir David's work has been highly rewarded over the years, perhaps his most prestigious achievements being his Knighthood (1985) and being made Fellow of the Royal Society (1983).

Sir David has been voted Britain's Greatest Living icon by BBC viewers (2006).

This was a fantastic night, a real insight into Sir David & his growing up, what lead him on his path to being the best Naturalist of our time.

He also talked about Cousteau and Darwin as well.

Managed to get a few pictures and his autograph while he was book signing, so very happy..Have to go now as I need to start reading his book....

BUDDIES MEETING - FRIDAY 17TH APRIL 2009

BUDDIES MEETING

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who attended:-

Angie
Margarett
Sara
Debs
Sue & Zak
Richard
Ray
Allison
Andrew
Steve
Alan
Richard Garrett
Phillip Dempster
Wallace

Plus apologies for absent were recieved from:-
Matt
Glenn
Ken
Steve W
Derek

The agenda was as follows:-

1. MARGARETT PRESENTED AREK WITH A CERTIFICATE TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON BECOMING OUR FIRST EVER STUDENT TO BECOME A COMMERCIAL DIVER - WELL DONE AREK.
2. SUE PRESENTED MARGARETT WITH HER GLASS PLATE FROM PADI TO CONGRATULATE HER ON HER 15TH YEAR MEMBERSHIP AS A PADI INTERNATIONAL RESORT AND RETAILER.
3. RIB DIVES ARE FILLING FAST - ESPECIALLY OVER THE BANK HOLIDAY WEEKENDS. SO BE AWARE THAT YOU NEED TO BOOK YOUR SPACE EARLY.
4. ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN TRAINED FOR THE COMPRESSOR PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE SIGNED THE PROCEDURE BOOK - (see Margarett or Angie)
5. DIVE FILES ARTICLE IS NEARLY COMPLETE - SO LOOK OUT FOR JUNE'S EDITION OF SPORT DIVER!
6. SINKONE4SUSSEX - VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORMS ARE IN THE OFFICE.
7. BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 25TH MAY - BBQ AND RIB FUN @ WEST BEACH 4.00PM {WEATHER PERMITTING}
8. CAMPING TRIP TO KERNOW DIVE FESTIVAL 20TH/21ST JUNE WITH RICHARD AND SUE - NUMBERS AND PITCH SPACES HAVE NOW BEEN CONFIRMED.
9. INTEREST AT THE MOMENT - JULY 11TH/12TH FOR A TRIP TO DIVE THE SCYLLA AT PLYMOUTH - FORMS ARE UP ON THE BOARDS AS USUAL.
10. RED SEA LIVE ABOARD TRIP 24th JULY 09 – MY GELEN (NEW LUXURY 5* LIVE ABOARD WITH AMRO) – 2 SPACES STILL AVAILABLE.
11. PADI PROJECT AWARE GOLF DAY - MON 10TH AUGUST 2009 AT SHENDISH MANOR (2 Teams or more for this year) IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO TAKE PART IN THE GOLF THEN WHY NOT JUST COME ALONG FOR THE MEAL AND AUCTION - IT'S A REAL GOOD FUN DAY OUT TO CATCH UP WITH FELLOW DIVERS ALIKE.... FORMS ARE IN THE OFFICE AND DON'T FORGET ALL MONEY RAISED GOES TO THE PROJECT AWARE FOUNDATION.
12. WEEKEND TO PORTLAND 15TH/16TH AUGUST 2009 - INTEREST'S AT THE MOMENT - FORMS ARE UP IN SHOP AS USUAL.
13. BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 31ST AUGUST 2009 - BEACH BBQ AT WEST BEACH NEWHAVEN - FORMS UP ON BOARD {WEATHER PERMITTING}
14. SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER - SWANAGE DAY TRIP - FORMS UP ON BOARD IN SHOP.
15. WEEKEND OF 19TH/20TH SEPTEMBER - EXTREME SPORTS SHOW, MADEIRA DRIVE, BRIGHTON - VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED FOR THE STALL - SINKONE4SUSSEX AWARENESS - SPEAK TO ANGIE IN THE OFFICE.
16. SATURDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER - ONE DAY TRIP TO LITTLEHAMPTON AS USUAL PUT YOUR NAME ON THE FORM IF YOUR INTERESTED.
17. NEW INTERACTIVE WEBSITE BEING DESIGNED – LAUNCH DAY & PARTY TO FOLLOW COMPLETION - WATCH THIS SPACE..
18. ALL NEW OPEN WATER STUDENTS NOW RECEIVE A ONE DAY KIT HIRE FREE OF CHARGE UPON PASSING. THIS IS TO ENCOURAGE THEM OUT DIVING ONCE QUALIFIED.
19. VERY IMPORTANT – ALL DIVERS MUST ENSURE IF DIVING IN THE MARINA THAT THE ROPES ARE FITTED ACROSS AT ALL TIMES.
20. ONCE AGAIN – IF DIVING THE MARINA YOU MUST HAVE DIVE PERMIT PASSES – AS SECURITY WILL BE CHECKING.
21. PROJECTAWARE:- INK CARTRIDGES - ENVELOPES IN THE OFFICE.
22. SARA & I NEED SOME VOLUNTEERS PLEASE– TO HELP CEMENT THE GNOMES AND TO START THE UNDERWATER FEATURE AT OUR MARINA DIVE SITE.
23. ALSO FOR THE NEW WEBSITE - SARA NEEDS PHOTOS OF ALL DM'S AND ABOVE - OTHERWISE WE WILL BE PICKING YOUR PHOTO'S FROM OUR OWN SELECTION.
24. NEED VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE UNDERWATER PHOTO'S OF MARINA DIVE SITE FOR THE NEW WEB SITE.
25. ANYONE WISHES TO PLAN ANY OTHER TRIPS – FEEL FREE
26. NEXT MEETING IS TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY 5TH JUNE 2009 @ THE HOPE INN, 7.30PM

UPDATE ON WHALE WARS

Just had an update to say that Whale Wars, the series about Sea Shepherd's Antarctic campaign, premiere's in the UK :-

DISCOVERY CHANNEL

MONDAY 27TH APRIL

@ 9PM

and not as previously posted.

TRY DIVES FOR THE KIDS @ SEAFORD HEAD OVER THE EASTER BREAK

http://picasaweb.google.com/angela1312/ TRY DIVES SEAFORD HEAD FOR THE KIDS?

Above is a few photo's taken on Friday 17th April 2009 from the Try Dives held at Seaford Head for the kids during their easter break.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS - MARCH 09

Well done to the following on this months achievements

OPEN WATER

• Tim Manly
• Hector Manly
• Samuel Manly
• Alice Manly
• Henny Whetstone
• Alison Briscoe
• Steven Briscoe

NITROX

• Andrew Brotherton

EFR & CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH AED

• Ian Cottenham
• Traycie Bailey
• Mick Austen

Congratulations to all the above on your achievements.

KERNOW DIVE FESTIVAL, PENZANCE, CORNWALL - 20TH - 21ST JUNE 2009

We have now worked out the costing's - as follows:-

(This will include the hire of a 4 man tent for 2/3 people to share, dives, camp site fee & BBQ on Saturday night) This does not include travel or fuel costs.

DIVERS £55.00 per person

NON DIVERS £35.00 per person

Could you please let me know if you are interested as soon as possible with a £20 deposit so that I can reserve your space and pre-order the tent. If you have your own tent and do not require tent hire then we will adjust the price accordingly.

We must have definate dates by Friday 17th April.

For more information on the camp site and local activities visit http://www.cardinney-camping-park.co.uk/

DIVER BUOYANCY CHALLENGE

DIVER BUOYANCY CHALLENGE

This was a really good weekend of fun. After filling in all the usual disclaimer's it was time to have a quick cuppa in the cafe before going into the pool area for the challenge.

This was really challenging. We had to position ourselves through a window and stay there for over a minute without touching any of the sides. We then had to travel through a group of diamonds pick up a goody bag at the end, turn round and travel back through them without touching them. We also had to ascend and descend through tightly group diamonds at various heights, and do a puzzle whilst being stationery through a window and so on. This was a really good fun day out and we will definately be attending more or maybe holding our own buoyancy clinics down the marina in the future.

RIB DIVES - TOP KNOTS

*NB ALL RIB DIVES ARE WEATHER PERMITTING*

Sat 21st March Drift Dive (Seaford Bay) Meet @ 09.00 O/W £10

Sat 21st March Wreck Dive (Local) Meet @ 11.30 Adv £20

Sun 22nd March Drift Dive (Seaford Bay) Meet @ 09.00 O/W £10

Sun 22nd March Wreck Dive (Off Shore) Meet @ 12.00 Adv £25

*NO DIVES FOR SAT 28TH MARCH - LIDS*

Sun 29th March Drift Dive (Seaford Bay) Meet @ 09.00 O/W £10

Sun 29th March Wreck Dive (Off Shore) Meet @ 11.00 Adv £25

Sat 4th April Wreck Dive (Off Shore) Meet @ 10.30 Adv £25

Sat 4th April Drift Dive (Seven Sisters) Meet @ 13.30 O/W £15

Sun 5th April Drift Dive (Seven Sisters) Meet @ 09.00 O/W £15

Sun 5th April Wreck Dive (Off Shore) Meet @ 12.00 Adv £25

Fri 10th April (Bank Hol) Wreck Dive (Off Shore) Meet @ 10.00 Adv £25

Fri 10th April (Bank Hol) Drift Dive (Peacehaven) Meet @ 13.30 O/W £10

Sat 11th April Wreck Dive (Local) Meet @ 11.00 Adv £20

Sat 11th April Drift Dive (Seven Sisters) Meet @ 13.30 O/W £15

Easter Sun 12th April Drift Dive (Seaford Bay) Meet @ 09.00 O/W £10

Easter Sun 12th April Wreck Dive (Off Shore) Meet @ 11.15 Adv £25

Mon 13th April (Bank Hol) Drift Dive (Seaford Bay) Meet @ 09.00 O/W £10

Mon 13th April (Bank Hol) Brighton Pier Dive Meet @ 11.45 Adv £20

(PLEASE ENSURE THAT EACH DIVER MUST HAVE HIS/HER OWN SMB, REEL, TORCH, TIMING DEVICE OR DIVE COMPUTER - THESE CAN BE HIRED FROM THE SHOP)

THE CAPTAINS TABLE - NOW OPEN

The Captains Table The Cafe is now open. Have spoken to Christine who is the owner and she is going to draw up some special prices for our divers. The food is fabulous.

BUDDIES MEETING

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who attended:-

1. Angie
2. Sara
3. Debs
4. Sue & Zak
5. Richard
6. Dave
7. Natalie
8. Ray
9. Ken
10. Allison
11. Andrew
12. Steve
13. Alan
14. Richard Garrett
15. Chris Douch
16. Ian
17. Miranda
18. Phillip Dempster
19. Glenn
20. Wallace

Plus apologies for absent were recieved from:-

1. Matt
2. Arek
3. Mick A
4. Steve W

The agenda was as follows:-

• RIB DIVES ARE COMMENCING FROM END MARCH - THEY WILL BE GOING FURTHER AFIELD THIS YEAR DUE TO THE POWER OF THE ENGINE.
• DIVER BUOYANCY CHALLENGE OVER THE WEEKEND OF 7TH & 8TH MARCH. FOR THOSE PARTICIPATING MEET AT DIVE CENTRE 10.00AM.
• PADI PRO SEMINAR IS ON MONDAY 23RD MARCH – DOORS OPEN @ 6.30 – SEMINAR STARTS 7.00PM Location: Brighton Pier (signs will be put up directing you to the exact meeting point).
• EFR AND EFR UPDATE ON SATURDAY 28TH MARCH 2009.
• DIVE SHOW AT EXCEL LONDON OVER THE WEEKEND OF 28TH / 29TH MARCH - CALL THE OFFICE IF YOU REQUIRE TICKETS. ALSO, STEVE FROM OCEAN OPTICS WILL BE ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF THE BUOYANCY CHALLENGE.
• RED SEA LIVE ABOARD TRIP 24th JULY 09 – MY GELEN (NEW LUXURY 5* LIVE ABOARD WITH AMRO) – SPACES AVAILABLE.
• NEW INTERACTIVE WEBSITE BEING DESIGNED – LAUNCH DAY & PARTY TO FOLLOW COMPLETION.
• CAMPING TRIP TO KERNOW DIVE FESTIVAL 20TH / 21ST JUNE WITH RICHARD AND SUE - NEED TO CONFIRM NUMBERS AT NEXT MEETING. LOTS OF INTERESTS ON THIS ONE. CALL THE OFFICE FOR DETAILS OF TRIP, ALSO IF YOU DONT HAVE A TENT WE HAVE DETAILS ON RENT A TENT AT VERY REASONABLE PRICES.
• PADI PROJECT AWARE GOLF DAY (2 Teams or more for this year) 10TH AUGUST 2009 More details to follow in the spring…. Or just come along for the meal and auction – its real good fun…
• ALL NEW OPEN WATER STUDENTS NOW RECEIVE A ONE DAY KIT HIRE FREE OF CHARGE UPON PASSING. THIS IS TO ENCOURAGE THEM OUT DIVING ONCE QUALIFIED.
• VERY IMPORTANT – ALL DIVERS MUST ENSURE IF DIVING IN THE MARINA THAT THE ROPES ARE FITTED ACROSS AT ALL TIMES.
• ONCE AGAIN – IF DIVING THE MARINA YOU MUST HAVE DIVE PERMIT PASSES – AS SECURITY WILL BE CHECKING.
• PROJECTAWARE:- INK CARTRIDGES - ENVELOPES IN THE OFFICE.
• I NEED SOME VOLUNTEERS – TO HELP CEMENT THE GNOMES AND TO START THE UNDERWATER FEATURE.
• WE WILL BE PLANNING SOME BBQ/ BEACH DIVES OVER THE BANK HOLIDAY WEEKENDS (DETAILS NEARER THE TIME).
• FOR THE NEW WEBSITE WE NEED PHOTOS OF ALL DM'S AND ABOVE - OTHERWISE WE WILL BE PICKING YOUR PHOTO'S FROM OUR OWN PHOTO'S THAT WE HAVE OF YOU.
• NEW UNDERWATER PHOTO'S OF MARINA DIVE SITE FOR THE NEW WEB SITE.
• ANYONE WISHES TO PLAN ANY OTHER TRIPS – FEEL FREE
• NEXT MEETING IS TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY 17TH APRIL 2009.

THE DIVER BUOYANCY CHALLENGE - UPDATE

As per our previous post - Sunday 1st Feb, we have now managed to filled all 8 places for the Diver Buoyancy Challenge.

I have spoken to Steve and he has confirmed our spaces and time slots and said that he is looking forward to seeing us all again, especially M.

Will post names and itinery nearer the time. Special thanks to those that volunteered.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS - JANUARY 2009

We would like to congratulate the following on this months achievements:-

OPEN WATER

• Adam Cobb
• Victoria Lea-White

DIVEMASTER

• Andrew Brotherton

SPECIALITY - WRECK DIVER

• Chris Burns
• Paul Burns
• Wayne Smith

SPECIALITY - DEEP DIVER

• Chris Burns
• Paul Burns
• Wayne Smith

Well done to the above on this months achievements .