A quick early morning dash to guildie on Saturday morning gave an opportunity to run yet another SMB Distinctive Specialty and bring another student to the brink of Master Scuba Diver. Of course we also took the opportunity to finish of a long awaited Rescue course that will allow Orca to go on and qualify another Dive Master as well.
In fact it was all a fairly relaxing day and I am sure that it will seem even more so once we have completed our next trip to Guildie later in July when it looks like we have around twenty people going to Open Water.
Guildie doesn't change much but at least the weather does and on Saturday it was a reasonable decent day with only the slightest passing hint of rain. Having got on site by 10 am the first disappointing news was the Kirstie would be unable to dive as she had started to suffer badly from a cold, which meant we had top quality surface cover.
The SMB Specialty is fast becoming one of my favourite two dive courses not least because launching a DSMB is such a vital skill for any diver and so many people get it wrong. We now have a full presentation for the SMB course together with a range of equipment to use and compare. I have taken to the view that as DSMB launching is all about practising I also make sure that students get plenty of this by getting them to launch a range of DSMB's using both automatic and manual filling options.
Mid water launching is always a fine skill to learn and in Guildie that was even more the case as visibility was close to as bad as I can ever recall it. Still there is nothing quite as satisfying as seeing DSMB standing proud at the surface because they have been properly deployed.
So after another pleasant weekends dive it is back to the classroom as next Sunday I am running another Equipment specialty back by popular demand and this time with an all new and improved presentation.
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Saturday, 21 June 2008
Club Nights, Wreck Diving and Scuba Reviews
Suddenly I seem to have hit busy having arrived home from Bristol to hit both the centre club night and the Junior club night in the pool and a couple needing a scuba review.
Once again we put a talk on at the club night this time covering wreck diving. The presentation included wreck identification and anatomy. We also considered the main legislation covering sea wrecks. For those that didn't get to the meeting the three main acts are, Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, Military Remains Act 1986 and the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
The relevance of these acts was more pertinent having just visited Lundy where we came into close proximity to Iona II which is protected as a site of historical interest under the first of these acts.
We also had a chance to talk about some of my favorite wreck sites and look at some of the photos that I have taken on these. As predictable as it may seem the Thistlegorm is still high on my list and looking at pictures served to wet the appetite of those booked on our Northern Red Sea safari as they will get a chance to explore her themselves.
There was a call at the meeting to run a disabled diving course for those that want to help out as part of our team. I expect to get some dates out very shortly for this so keep watching the web page.
On Friday evening we had another good turnout at the Junior club night in the pool. It looked to me that as though Gary had his hands full in the pool. Meanwhile I was taking Robert and Catherine through their paces in a scuba tune-up. Both have done a reasonable amount of diving in the past and were now planning a foreign trip. Going through the tune-up book reminded me of how important this type of activity is for ensuring that you are up to speed.
Both said they enjoyed the experience as we reflected on some things they remembered and some things they didn't. Robert could not recall ever doing a weight check which have to say worries me, but now he has been reminded I hope that he and Catherine are better weighted when they dive in Taba later this year.
It was also good to see Claire's smiling face back at the pool. Our Dive Master has been away at university for the academic year and should now be back getting involved for the summer. Just in time to help us with our next International Scout camp coming up in July. More on that later.
Once again we put a talk on at the club night this time covering wreck diving. The presentation included wreck identification and anatomy. We also considered the main legislation covering sea wrecks. For those that didn't get to the meeting the three main acts are, Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, Military Remains Act 1986 and the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
The relevance of these acts was more pertinent having just visited Lundy where we came into close proximity to Iona II which is protected as a site of historical interest under the first of these acts.
We also had a chance to talk about some of my favorite wreck sites and look at some of the photos that I have taken on these. As predictable as it may seem the Thistlegorm is still high on my list and looking at pictures served to wet the appetite of those booked on our Northern Red Sea safari as they will get a chance to explore her themselves.
There was a call at the meeting to run a disabled diving course for those that want to help out as part of our team. I expect to get some dates out very shortly for this so keep watching the web page.
On Friday evening we had another good turnout at the Junior club night in the pool. It looked to me that as though Gary had his hands full in the pool. Meanwhile I was taking Robert and Catherine through their paces in a scuba tune-up. Both have done a reasonable amount of diving in the past and were now planning a foreign trip. Going through the tune-up book reminded me of how important this type of activity is for ensuring that you are up to speed.
Both said they enjoyed the experience as we reflected on some things they remembered and some things they didn't. Robert could not recall ever doing a weight check which have to say worries me, but now he has been reminded I hope that he and Catherine are better weighted when they dive in Taba later this year.
It was also good to see Claire's smiling face back at the pool. Our Dive Master has been away at university for the academic year and should now be back getting involved for the summer. Just in time to help us with our next International Scout camp coming up in July. More on that later.
Friday, 20 June 2008
Perfect Weekend at Lundy
Last weekend at Lundy was just amazing. I am sure that we could not have planned things better if we tried as we managed to enjoy superb weather with fantastic sea conditions. Take a look at the picture on the left taken by Kit and you will see exactly what I mean. Not only were the surface conditions wonderful, the viz was stunning too despite a small amount of plankton bloom still evident in the water.
We all arrived at the pier in Ilfracombe harbour as planned 8am Saturday morning to be greeted by Andy the skipper of Obsession. Andy was friendly, helpful and an ideal host and skipper. The boat was well kept and I was not at all surprised to discover Andy is involved with the RNLI. On top of all that he is a diver and makes a damn fine cup of tea. In fact whilst I am at it I would make a shameless plug for Andy and recommend him to anyone who happens to read this blog.
On the way out to Lundy just as we started to kit up we were joined by a pod of dolphins, they 
were every where though despite best efforts with the camera nobody managed to get the elusive mid jump shot. I still happen to think that Kit's effort taken at the point of re-entry is pretty good though. As you can imagine we circled and slowed to enjoy the display as there is little to match seeing these animals in the wild.
were every where though despite best efforts with the camera nobody managed to get the elusive mid jump shot. I still happen to think that Kit's effort taken at the point of re-entry is pretty good though. As you can imagine we circled and slowed to enjoy the display as there is little to match seeing these animals in the wild.Then as we arrived at the Knoll Pins for our first dive we were greeted by this sunbather who 
slowly slid beneath the waves to wait for us to join him. Actually I didn't see him on the dive but there were reports of close fin biting encounters. Andy explained that we were diving in the no-take zone and that we should expect to see a lot of life. He also suggested that the lobsters acted as if they knew that they lived in the marine reserve and this proved to be the case. As we descended my first sight was of a huge resplendent and regal lobster waving his claws and happily wandering across the open sea bed.
slowly slid beneath the waves to wait for us to join him. Actually I didn't see him on the dive but there were reports of close fin biting encounters. Andy explained that we were diving in the no-take zone and that we should expect to see a lot of life. He also suggested that the lobsters acted as if they knew that they lived in the marine reserve and this proved to be the case. As we descended my first sight was of a huge resplendent and regal lobster waving his claws and happily wandering across the open sea bed.The site lived up to the promise as it was covered in life with more lobsters and spider crabs than I think I have ever seen on a single dive. We were also treated to a number of dog fish gliding by and an abundance of nudibranchs.
Our second dive was equally as rewarding as we worked out way along the coast looking for more seals and admiring the sea life.
Sunday was a later start, which made for relaxing lie in at the Montpelier guest house for me. It also allowed me to have a full English breakfast and very much appreciated it was too. For our first dive we did the MV Robert. The Robert is pretty much intact though she is covered in life with pumnose anemones and jewel anemones everywhere. As we were told she looks very silted up inside so most of us confined ourselves to a swim round and exploration of the decks. This wreck lies on its' port side and although the bottom composition kicked up fairly easily the viz remained good so it was possible to see most of the ship from the bows.
Close to the Robert lies a much older wreck the Iona II which is protected and requires a licence to dive. The Iona II is a paddle steamer that was sunk on her way to supply arms to the confederates fighting in the American civil war. The history has sparked my interest and one day I hope to get the chance to go back and dive this wreck as well.
As we stopped for lunch near the island we were joined by a couple of curious seals. Most likely they were curious about all the sunbathing activity as well, most strange for this time of year.Once we finished our lunch we dipped in to see if we could locate these two but while some of the group reported sightings once again they eluded me and I had to content myself with a really relaxing last dive drifting in the mild current and watching the underwater world go by.
Overall this was a brilliant weekend of relaxed and leisurely diving. We only managed on small and exciting incident as Carina lost a fin during her safety stop only to be saved by Alan Lee as she came to the surface.
A big thanks to all who joined us on this trip for their company and good humour. Once again also, a really big thank you to Andy and if you are at all tempted make Lundy a must and give Andy a call or look at his website http://www.obsessionboatcharters.co.uk/
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Lundy here we come!
This weekend we are off to dive Lundy Island in the Bristol channel. This is a new destination for me and the good news is that I have just spoken to the skipper who has confirmed the conditions are great and it is all systems go.
Lundy was designated England's, and Britain's, first statutory Marine Nature Reserve in November 1986. The area is of international importance as well as it has been selected as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC)under the European Union's Habitats Directive legislation.
The island itself measures 3.5 miles by 0.5 mile and acts as a huge breakwater to water that flows from the south and west into the Bristol Channel. For us divers the convergence of clear oceanic water from the west and Mediterranean water from the south accounts for "remarkably good underwater visibility".
Because of it's unique position the island supports a massive variety of sea life and gets visited by such creatures as Leatherback turtles, seals and Basking sharks so my fingers are crossed.
Over the weekend we aim to get four dives completed and have plans to do the Knoll Pins and MV Robert dive sites. The Knoll Pins is a spectacular dive where we are expecting to see jewel anemones, cup corals, dead men's fingers, sea fans and an abundance of fish and crustaceans such as lobsters and edible crabs.
The MV Robert is a small single screw coaster that capsized and sank in 1975. It is actually the only intact wreck amongst over one hundred around Lundy. It is apparently a great spot to see John Dory.
So as you can see I am getting excited and I look forward to putting another blog on to let you know haw it all went.
Lundy was designated England's, and Britain's, first statutory Marine Nature Reserve in November 1986. The area is of international importance as well as it has been selected as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC)under the European Union's Habitats Directive legislation.
The island itself measures 3.5 miles by 0.5 mile and acts as a huge breakwater to water that flows from the south and west into the Bristol Channel. For us divers the convergence of clear oceanic water from the west and Mediterranean water from the south accounts for "remarkably good underwater visibility".
Because of it's unique position the island supports a massive variety of sea life and gets visited by such creatures as Leatherback turtles, seals and Basking sharks so my fingers are crossed.
Over the weekend we aim to get four dives completed and have plans to do the Knoll Pins and MV Robert dive sites. The Knoll Pins is a spectacular dive where we are expecting to see jewel anemones, cup corals, dead men's fingers, sea fans and an abundance of fish and crustaceans such as lobsters and edible crabs.
The MV Robert is a small single screw coaster that capsized and sank in 1975. It is actually the only intact wreck amongst over one hundred around Lundy. It is apparently a great spot to see John Dory.
So as you can see I am getting excited and I look forward to putting another blog on to let you know haw it all went.
Thursday, 5 June 2008
Equipment Specialty
On Sunday we hosted an Equipment Specialty course at the centre which meant the centre was awash with dive gear of all sorts, shapes and sizes. Actually the course is going to prove a dry one as another is already booked by popular demand.
The manual states that the teaching and practical content should last six hours so you can imagine how chuffed I was to come in bang on time. The other thing that was immensely pleasing was getting some of my masks cleaned. Thanks to Blake my old mouldy Mares X-vision now gleams and I shall be looking forward to trying it out on our trip to Lundy Islands at the weekend.
To ensure that the course was great value the presentation was a team effort with Kirstie which meant that we could draw on a variety of equipment related experiences. We also provided a full slide show presentation just to make sure that we covered the full syllabus.
I have to say that given the amount of cash we all tend to spend on diving gear this course is an absolute cracker and in terms of getting tips on choosing and looking after your kit the cost of this certification is probably covered many times over.
Mind you one of the participants realised that his regulators really should be serviced rather than waiting for them to start malfunctioning on a dive. The good news is that they are now in for servicing with one of the best kit experts in the area.
One of the discussions that always arises when you start discussing equipment is centred on which is best and the truth is that it has to be personal choice and reaching your own decision is best done by discussing things with an experienced and unbiased diver.
My last serious diving purchase was my O3 dry suit and this is a very good case in point. There are hundreds on the market to choose from ranging in style, construction, colour and price. now the most important thing is that whatever you get should be fit for purpose and should keep you dry. I actually got the O3 in the days before Orca, here's what happened.
Realising I needed a new suit I went to a local dive shop and as you may expect was encouraged to buy the one they had in stock. It didn't fit and I was told they would get one in for me to try as it would only take a week. The fitting consisted of standing on a mat to confirm my foot size, if this ever happens to you I actually would advice you to walk out and find a centre that will measure properly.
After many broken promises three months later a suit, not the style I wanted, arrived and not surprisingly didn't fit much better than the first. To have waited as long as I did even in the off season required the patience of a saint and the good lesson was that now I know what is really important to me in selecting a dry-suit.
A UK manufacturer who I can get quick and prompt service from and a company that actually measures you to make sure that you get something that really does fit. I love my suit, it works well for me and I will happily recommend people to consider O3 suits.
What works for you may be different and there are some great suits on the market. What I would ask is learn some of the lessons I did. Decide what is important for you, don't get fobbed off or accept poor customer service and certainly don't use a dive shop that tries to flog something off the peg without measuring you up.
The manual states that the teaching and practical content should last six hours so you can imagine how chuffed I was to come in bang on time. The other thing that was immensely pleasing was getting some of my masks cleaned. Thanks to Blake my old mouldy Mares X-vision now gleams and I shall be looking forward to trying it out on our trip to Lundy Islands at the weekend.
To ensure that the course was great value the presentation was a team effort with Kirstie which meant that we could draw on a variety of equipment related experiences. We also provided a full slide show presentation just to make sure that we covered the full syllabus.
I have to say that given the amount of cash we all tend to spend on diving gear this course is an absolute cracker and in terms of getting tips on choosing and looking after your kit the cost of this certification is probably covered many times over.
Mind you one of the participants realised that his regulators really should be serviced rather than waiting for them to start malfunctioning on a dive. The good news is that they are now in for servicing with one of the best kit experts in the area.
One of the discussions that always arises when you start discussing equipment is centred on which is best and the truth is that it has to be personal choice and reaching your own decision is best done by discussing things with an experienced and unbiased diver.
My last serious diving purchase was my O3 dry suit and this is a very good case in point. There are hundreds on the market to choose from ranging in style, construction, colour and price. now the most important thing is that whatever you get should be fit for purpose and should keep you dry. I actually got the O3 in the days before Orca, here's what happened.Realising I needed a new suit I went to a local dive shop and as you may expect was encouraged to buy the one they had in stock. It didn't fit and I was told they would get one in for me to try as it would only take a week. The fitting consisted of standing on a mat to confirm my foot size, if this ever happens to you I actually would advice you to walk out and find a centre that will measure properly.
After many broken promises three months later a suit, not the style I wanted, arrived and not surprisingly didn't fit much better than the first. To have waited as long as I did even in the off season required the patience of a saint and the good lesson was that now I know what is really important to me in selecting a dry-suit.
A UK manufacturer who I can get quick and prompt service from and a company that actually measures you to make sure that you get something that really does fit. I love my suit, it works well for me and I will happily recommend people to consider O3 suits.
What works for you may be different and there are some great suits on the market. What I would ask is learn some of the lessons I did. Decide what is important for you, don't get fobbed off or accept poor customer service and certainly don't use a dive shop that tries to flog something off the peg without measuring you up.
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