Newsletter
Issue 17 – 05th October 2009
Club News
Well the diving season in England is coming to a close. That is unless you’re a completely hardcore diver who has an in suit heating system!
This year has been very successful for the club and we have completed many dives trips including: Portland (lots of times), West Bay, Kimmeridge, Lulworth Cove, Swanage, Poole, Isle of Wight, Scily Isles, Manacles (BSAC Divefest), Pembroke, Farnes (in 2 weeks), Plymouth, Isle of Man and not forgetting the lovely inland sites Wraysbury, Vobster Quay, and Stoney Cove. All these plus many more aboard.
New Qualifications
Congratulations to the following people who have completed the OD course over the summer
Gail Mooney (mask clear now a speciality)
Nick Mooney
James Martin
Paul Martin
Rob Passaway
Congratulations to the following people who have completed the SD course over the summer
Niamh Doherty
Jess Weedon
Leman Moore
Liam Bateman
Congratulations to the following people who have completed the DL course over the summer
Phil Rivett
all we need to do is get Ian Darkins signed off, so stop messing around Ian - you know it makes sense!!
Also some geezer called Len Sumner eventually got his advanced diver signed off, thanks to all the poor souls who helped him, especially Rita for nagging him
Welcome
A big welcome to Paul Gorman, Neil Hornsby, Benjamin Hornsby and Howard Pickard who have recently joined the club.
Change in Equipment Officer
After an unhealthy length of time as the HWSAC Equipment Officer, Jon Pearce has finally stepped down due to the increasing commitments of his growing family. In his time responsible for the club's kit, Jon, ably assisted by Ian Darkins and others has worked to maintain a high standard of kit for use in training both in the pool and in open water. This includes a formal, organised process of servicing all BCDs and regulators on an annual basis, as well as replacing old and damaged kit before it becomes a risk to members using it. As well as maintaining the club's array of dive kit, he has also filled untold diving cylinders over the years, allowing the volume of training and diving that the club completes each year to go ahead with no problems. The Club owes Jon a huge debt of gratitude for his work in the compressor room over the years, without which the training of new members would not have happened.
We are extremely grateful that Ian Darkins has agreed to take on the role of Equipment officer for the remainder of the year, which will ensure that the standards we have grown accustomed to in the past will be seamlessly maintained into the future.
New Course
We have a new OD course starting in October with 10 people signed up, so all help will be gratefully accepted.
Cubs and Seals Dives
Last weekend we ran the first 'Cubs and Seals dive at Lulworth Cove, brilliant weather and some very good diving and David Sherlock still managed to smile even though he lost his wallet over the side of the Rib.
We have another Cubs and Seals dive planned in the Farne Islands later in October and hopefully more to come.
Christmas Party
Yes it’s that time of year again!! The High Wycombe Sub-Aqua Club Christmas Party is being held on the Saturday 12th December 2009 at the Bull Gerrards Cross. As usual it’s a three course meal and disco. If you are interested in coming along and haven’t booked a place please please contact Deborah Davis ASAP.
Forthcoming Meetings / Diary Events
06th October 2009 Big Tuesday
The British Legion
Deborah Davis
17th – 18th October 2009
Farne Islands Trip
Chartered Boat
20th October 2009 Little Tuesday / Committee Meeting
The Squirrel, Booker
Deborah Davis
(The Clubs Full Dive/Event Program is available on the club website)
Messages from the committee
Simon Fennel (Diving Officer) –
Diving Related Incidents:
- Please can I ask that if people have some form of diving incident (however trivial you may think it is) to give me a quick call to let me know. If the dive in question is part of a club organised trip, then it is a requirement for the Dive Manager; if it is a dive that is not part of an organised club event, then it is helpful to know for informational purposes. This is not to lecture you on "what you did wrong" or stick you in the "Remedial Mask Clearing" group, but more for informational purposes so that I know what is going on from a diving standpoint with members and also to keep track of potential trends that might develop from a training point of view. If in doubt, give me a call/ drop me an email - it is always nice to talk to the odd person now and again!
Winter Training Opportunities:
- Now the main diving season is drawing to a close, we are looking to organise further training (either advancing diver grades or Skill Development courses) during the winter and into 2010. We will be looking to run a Dive Leader theory course (as a minimum) plus a couple of different SDCs depending on demand. If there are any courses that members are interested in doing, then please let me know.
Instructor Training:
- Following an earlier email, we have had several people offering their services to help, however I'd like to take an opportunity to remind everyone that we are on the look out for new assistants and instructors to get involved in teaching theory, pool and open water lessons. Everyone can contribute in some way depending on their current diver grade so please get in touch with either Len or me to discuss where you can get involved.
Pool Cleaning:
To counter the variable quality of the water in the pool, we have agreed with the Leisure centre management to undertake a cleaning exercise once a month to remove the assortment of sand, plasters, nose clips and plastic cups that have an affinity for our play area. If anybody is willing to give us a hand doing this (probably the first Thursday of every month), then please can you let either Ian Darkins or me know.
Slimmer of the Month
This months award title goes to Angela Gregory who lost ten kilos in just minutes when she dropped her weight belt whilst getting back in the boat in Weymouth bay.
Notice from Author
I hope you have found this newsletter informative. Please send me you dive reviews / photos / stories / comments / requests for the newsletter to me at: info@wycombesubaqua.com