Newsletter
Issue 18 – 05th November 2009
Club News
Club Training
The training team will be busy over the winter months, but with more time spent doing Dive Leader and associated skill development courses. We will advertise these training days in advance, feel free to come along and join in the fun.
Qualifications
Congratulations to Rita Sumner who has now completed her Dive Leader qualification.
Christmas
It’s that time of year again, we have the Christmas Party at the Bull, Gerrards Cross. (If you haven’t already booked a place please check availability with Deborah Davis.) The annual Christmas Quiz on Tuesday 2nd December 2009. Teams of up to four people are welcome at a cost of £5.00 per team. No need to let book in advance, just turn up on the night. Also shortly the Christmas raffle tickets will be going on sale.
New Course Welcome
The new Ocean Diver course has just started with 5 new students and also got a couple of people who are doing PADI crossovers who will be covering some of the Ocean Diver lessons,
Please welcome the following people to the club, we’re sure you will bump into them over the coming months;
- David Chant
- Amanda Chandler
- Chris Chandler
- Steve Batham
- Paul Williams
- Paul Gorman
- Richard Cozier
Farewell
As most of you know Jane and Pete Mowatt have moved from the delightful High Wycombe area to the “more glamorous” climes Bridport. Both Jane and Pete have been heavily involved in all areas of club life since they joined many years ago; their enthusiastic determination has been major part of defining the club today.
Pete naively agreed to be the boat officer several years ago, and despite daily challenges with a variety of boats he ensured that every RIB dive went ahead and was instrumental in revitalising the RIB diving programme within the club.
Jane has been lumbered with co-ordinating most areas of the training programme at some point during her time, spending numerous days and nights arranging schedules or marshalling events at both Wraysbury and Weymouth.
Both have also been greatly involved in training virtually every student through the club in the past 5 years, guiding, mentoring and encouraging all students with a friendly and enthusiastic manner that has done much for trainees’ confidence and enthusiasm for diving in cold UK waters.
Whilst we haven’t seen the last of them, their continued enthusiasm and fun loving attitude to High Wycombe Sub Aqua Club on a weekly basis will be sorely missed throughout all areas of the club.
We wish them both all the best for the future and look forward to seeing them throughout the winter and into the 2010 diving season with the club.
Forthcoming Meetings / Diary Events
03rd November 2009 Big Tuesday / Christmas Quiz
The British Legion
Deborah Davis
20th November 2009 Little Tuesday / Committee Meeting
The Squirrel, Booker
Deborah Davis
02nd December 2009 Big Tuesday / Christmas Quiz
The British Legion
Deborah Davis
12th December 2009 HWSAC Christmas Party
The Bull, Gerrards Cross
Deborah Davis
(The Clubs Full Dive/Event Program is available on the club website)
Dive Review-by David Findlater
A group of twenty-one people from the club, led by Paul Coxon, have spent a week in the -Isles of Scilly. The group consisted of 12 divers and 8 non-divers. During their stay the divers visited 12 sites of various wrecks and reefs including the protected wrec of the 18th century Colossus, the Firebrand, and the cargo ship Cita. On many of the dives seals decided to join in the fun playing like puppies, nibbling the fins and legs of the divers.
Whilst the divers were having fun in the water the non divers where having a great time exploring the many islands, walking, cycling, taking boat trips and sampling the many bars and cafe's on the islands.
All this was helped greatly by the very knowledgeable skippers of Moonshadow divers, the good visibility and the luck of the British weather.
The trip was a great success and highly recommended should anyone want to organise the next one.
Messages from the committee
Simon Fennel (Diving Officer) –
2010 Diving Season:
- If anybody is interested in organising trips to new and exotic places (or some of the old haunts) in 2010, where the RIB isn't going to be involved then now is the time to start thinking about possibilities. We will hold a dive planning meeting at the end of November/ early December to start pulling things together for next year so if people can give some thought to possible destinations (and even do some research) that would be much appreciated. All welcome, plus if anyone has any comments/ suggestions for 2010 or feedback on 2009 (good or bad) then please drop me a note or come along on the night.
- Following 3 years as Diving officer, and 1 failed attempt to stand down previously, I will (honest) be stepping aside at the end of this year. If there are any members who would be interested in taking on the role of Diving Officer for 2010, then please feel free to get in touch to discuss what is actually involved (as opposed to the myths of what is involved). . - 2010 Diving Officer's meeting will be held in January - probably Little Tuesday. This will be to elect the Diving Officer for the 2010 Diving Season. All members are welcome to attend, however voting on the DO is open to Dive Leader and above only.
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