June Newsletter

June's newsletter arrives with you a bit late as we've been spending too much time UK diving ! The weather in May/June has been pretty good so far, and it didn't take too long for the poor viz at the start of May to clear up... only to be replaced by plankton bloom. But its good to get back in the water and see all the boats fully kitted and ready for the months ahead.

With some watery activity scheduled for at least three times a week, we've switched from a dining back to a diving club, so there's few social events arranged that don't involve water! Of course we haven't totally abandoned our love of food, as can be seen at the Monday BBQs at Kimmeridge and the Wednesday evenings at the Black Swan who kindly serve us food late so we can eat after the pier dives.

Hope to see you all either above or below water !

Jayne


A couple of words from the Chairman;
We’ve had a good start to the season with trainees going through OK; successful and enjoyable dives being accomplished; the boat, all serviced, behaving well and the website providing a fine day-to-day review of activities.

The only current weakness that I see in the club is not enough tow-bars. Most of the time when an Easterly threatens and I have to get Neptune out it’s no problem to pull IPSAC out at the same time, there’s normally plenty of willing hands about. However if I’m away when members want to put the boat back, or IPSAC needs to go to West Bay, we’re very limited as who can do it – it would be good if a couple more members with the bigger cars could get tow-hitches fitted.

Recognising that the fitting of hitches is not a particularly cheap business (Terry has details of a good supplier) the committee would like to offer a couple of members a £100 contribution to getting a unit fitted. Should you be interested in taking up this offer – have a chat with me or any other committee member.

Chris

Update ... what has happened in the club since the last newsletter

Radio Course

The VHF Radio course took place on 20th April and was kindly arranged and hosted by Jane Bell. Colin Ridley, RYA instructor of the year, led the course and 9 club members are now fully competent radio operators ! Hopefully this will improve our radio communication while out on the boats this season, and it has already proved its worth when one boat had engine problems and radio'd to the other for assistance. Feel free to test our radio operators on their phonetic alphabet, but please don't upset them by using 'Roger, over & out' !! Many thanks to Jane for organising this informative event.

Start of Season Meal

Our now traditional nosh up to kick off the new dive season took place at the Gurkha on 1st May. 25 members came along to feast on the oriental buffet and it was a good opportunity to catch up on everyone's news before the season kicks off. Thanks to everyone for coming along to support this and making it a lively evening !

Diving Season is Here !

Wednesday 7th May was the official first dive of our Summer Calendar. Despite great weather, the viz was still not brilliant, but that didn't deter some of our hardy divers from jumping in off the pier. And jump in they certainly had to, from the far end of the pier, as this was perhaps one of the lowest tides ever seen ! Making the most of the early good weather, Nick invited people to join him from a dive off Chesil where the viz was certainly better than under the pier.

Boats

Thanks to everyone who went down the pier at the start of the season to help get IPSAC Diver ready for her first diving outing that weekend. So far, she seems to be running pretty well, so fingers crossed for a season with fewer boat problems than last year.
Chris has been working very hard on Neptune all winter and she now has great kit storage with much improved bottle racks and best of all (for us shorties at any rate!) a ladder to help us get back aboard in a more dignified fashion ! Jane has also been busy getting Belle fitted out for diving this year, with a new GPS and radio, not to mention the dive flag ! So with three boats all ready for diving, and more boat handlers, let's hope we'll have a better season all round.
Several sets of boat keys are now available for boat handlers; if you haven't already got a set, contact Jeremy.

Training Update

Congratulations to two of our new Ocean Diver trainees, Becky and Alex, who braved the poor viz to do their first 2 open water dives early in May. Andrew also took the plunge with his first dive off the pier last week. Great to see the trainees getting in the open water.

Kimmeridge Barbecue

The unseasonally good weather in May meant that we could not miss the opportunity to meet up earlier than planned for our first barbecue at Kimmeridge. A great turnout, with diving and snorkelling for the more active members and a nice sit watching the sun go down whilst being gently smoked by the surrounding barbies for others. So far we've had several great Mondays down there so let's hope this is the start of things to come this year. Everyone welcome; we all usually meet around 6pm.

Up and Coming ... details of forthcoming events

Dive Planning

The Dive Plan for this year is now complete and on line in the member's area. But do keep checking as extra dives are being added here and there by members who fancy organising a dive on a free day.

Please note that the cut off time for booking a dive is there for a reason. To make the dive plan work for everyone and to ease the job of the dive coordinator, please cancel yourself off a dive ASAP if you know that you're unable to make it. Obviously, last minute things do happen, but if you're able, please let the dive coordinator know if you have to drop out. A drop in numbers may mean, for example, a third boat is not needed; we don't want to be launching a boat to find there are no divers to go on it !

Seasearch Dives

Following on from above, if you're a Seasearch-er, keep an eye on the Dive Plan as Robin is adding some Tuesday dives to conduct Seasearches in specific areas. You can find more information about Seasearch on their web site www.seasearch.org.uk

BBQ Events this Summer

A reminder for those who may not have looked at the dive plan that there are a couple of events listed which are open to everyone, divers and non divers alike. Unfortunately the Mid Summer Solstice BBQ at Chesil Cove has been cancelled due to the weather. Always the way eh ? Plan a barbie and that's the end of the blue skies !

We have another beach BBQ planned for the 6th July at Lulworth, kicking off at 10am. No need to book (if not diving), just come along. Let's hope that the weather will be a bit more settled by then as this could be a great club day out. More details will be circulated nearer the time.

Club trip to the Scilly Isles

Thirteen club members head off to the Isles of Scilly for a week's diving on 12th July. Thanks to Nick for organising this; a full trip report will be available on our return !

Diving Costs

With the current fuel prices, unfortunately the Committee is reviewing the cost of dives. They will be monitoring costs carefully over the next few weeks and will keep members informed of any changes to our current dive pricing.

Gate Guardians Needed !

The Wednesday evening dives from the pier are always very well attended, with at least one boat going out and several divers going under the pier. This is only made possible by the goodwill of the Pier Volunteers, who man the gate later than the usual 6pm closing time just so that IPSAC members can have a dive. Can you help out at all ? Spare a Wednesday evening when you don't fancy a dive just to help out the volunteers ? Please give some consideration to this and if you are able to help please contact the Pier.

Pool Sessions

No more pool sessions now until later in the year. Time to get that kit in some salty water !

Club Diving Rates

Evening Dives (Mondays and Wednesdays) £8.00 per person

Daytime Dives (Tuesdays and Weekends) £20 per person, per day (based on 2 dives)

Private Boat Hire
£20 per head including fuel. When hiring please ensure that the boat is left ready for use, especially fuel and oil levels topped up. Please see treasurer with fuel receipts for refund.
Any bookings for the club boat should be made with the Boat Officer.