June 2009

So its June, and summer is here ... well, maybe! Several divers had their first dip during April, making the most of some calm days and flat seas, and May started well, though hasn't quite turned into the scorching heat wave so widely predicted. Yet. We're still only at the start of the dive plan, so things have to get better throughout June and beyond. As usual, social events have lessened while we get wet, but there are still events through the summer for non-divers to join in with. Read on ... !

Jayne

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

Evening at PMWR

We were invited to an evening at the Marine Centre in Kimmeridge to learn about the Finding Sanctuary Project, and Dan Edwards gave a presentation outlining the aims of the project and how we as local divers can contribute to it. There are plans to talk to all dive clubs to find out where they dive and which areas they feel should be protected; we invited Dan to join us on a diving weekend so that he could see what we get up to and have an opportunity to talk with us in more detail.

The Finding Sanctuary Project has also contacted all BSAC clubs seeking volunteers to help them gather this information from diving groups in their locality. You would be expected to conduct interviews and help map scuba diving activity in the South West, all training, materials and expenses will be paid for. If anyone is interested in learning more about this, please contact Tom Hooper, the Project Manager, on 01392 878327. More information is also available on the website at www.finding-sanctuary.com

The other aim of the evening was to have a brainstorming session about ways our affiliation with the Marine Centre could be enhanced. One of the main areas we as divers can help PMWR with is the recording of marine life; there are several species which are of particular interest to them. It was felt that the easiest way for those who would like to assist with this process would be to have a standard laminated A5 sized reporting form, with clear ID information for the species of interest, copies of this could be issued to boat crews as they depart the slip at Kimmeridge, and handed in to the Marine Wardens immediately on their return. Hopefully we'll have a good selection of divers who would be willing to help out with this.

Start of Season Meal

Our traditional celebration of the start of the diving season was well attended as usual, with just about all active club members coming along to feast on the oriental buffet. Thanks to everyone who came along to support this, was a great opportunity to catch up on everyone's news.

Diving & Boats

Yours truly started off the season with a May Day dive under the pier, and there was so much life down there I had to force myself out after an hour. Since then, both IPSAC Diver and Neptune were put on the water... then taken out again... repeat as necessary (but hopefully not too many more times this season). A combination of bad weather, with big easterlies forecast, as well as some mechanical problems, meant that we didn't have the best start to the season boat-wise, but all is now well & all boats are go ! So far dives have taken place on the Valentines and the Aeolian Sky amongst others. And great to see two of our new trainees out there too !

Pier Camera

An update on the progress with the pier camera; the brackets have been manufactured and fitted to the camera, cable has been measured, next is the job of fixing it all to the selected pier leg. So plenty going on, if anyone is interested in leading this project, please contact Chris.

Up and Coming ... details of forthcoming events

Dive Plan 09

Keep checking the Dive Plan as dives are being added all the time; Robin has added some Seasearch Tuesdays during June & July, and our new Dive Coordinators are adding dives of their own, so keep an eye out. If you are a Dive Coordinator, remember that you can add a dive to the plan any time you like !

Black Swan Wednesdays

Our usual watering hole on Wednesday evenings after diving is the Black Swan; this year they've revamped their menu to include some new veggie dishes, but old favourites like curry or fish & chips are still available. Some hungry IPSAC diver is usually coordinating the dining event on the pier on Wednesdays, taking orders to phone through to the pub so that by the time we're out, the food will be ready and waiting for us.

Kimmeridge Mondays

In case anyone needs a reminder... we meet every Monday (weather permitting) at Kimmeridge where you can go for a dive or snorkel, or just light up the barbie and relax while watching the sun go down over the bay. Open to all, just come along; meet up from 6pm onwards.

Diving Events for All

There's a couple of events on the dive plan that are open to everyone, not just divers. Firstly, on Sunday 14th June, a family day out at Lulworth Cove; there will be diving as well as picnicking on the beach; more details to follow.

Following this, we have a get together on the pebbles of Chesil Cove on Friday 19th June. Again, diving for those who want to seek out cuttlefish, barbeque on the beach for those wanting to stay dry. All welcome, hope to see you there.

Fancy being a guest speaker ?

Robin was recently approached by Friends of Durlston to give a talk on the underwater world. There may be other opportunities with local clubs and societies for club members to give similar talks, and I understand that this is not always for free, so could be a means of raising money for club funds as well as promoting IPSAC. If you think that you'd like to be involved in something like this, please let us know.

Dates for Your Diary ... a summary of what is planned

14th June - Family Day at Lulworth

19th June - Chesil Cove beach BBQ