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April 2008 Newsletter | |
A slightly early April Newsletter as yours truly is jetting off once more; off to find some sunshine in warmer climes but hopefully when we return it won't be long until the UK dive season is in full swing and we can get in some nice green water ! |
Update ... what has happened in the club since the last newsletter | ||
February Meal Out |  | |
Our monthly nosh up was at the Halfway Inn where 16 members came along to tuck into the excellent pub grub served there. A certain free-diving personality also made an appearance, albeit only two-dimensionally ;-) Thanks to Nick for providing the additional entertainment! | ||
 | Skittles Night | |
Another successful evening of throwing round wooden things at other wooden things down a wooden alley. Well, it kept us all entertained ! Things were close by the end of the third round of skittling, with a tie for top scores between Nicky and John who claimed a prize each. After a buffet of sandwiches and far too much cheesecake, we moved on to Killer which gave those with the ability to knock down a single skittle a chance to shine. Hence yours truly was out pretty quickly ! Pete eventually was last man standing and claimed the last prize. Thanks to everyone who came along to support this event. |
Visit to the Hyperbaric Chamber, Poole |  | |
15 members visited the Diver Clinic in Poole for a tour of the 'pot'. The centre had kindly agreed to open for a special evening tour for us in return for the help the club gave them installing the buoyed area off the pier last year. We all experienced sitting inside the chamber and got just a taster of what it would be like spending hours in there. The center manager, Spencer, then gave us a very informative presentation about DCI and its treatment; the whole group agreed it was a very fascinating evening. Thanks to everyone who came along to this; the money raised was split between the clinic, who support the spinal physiotherapy unit at Poole Hospital, and the club. |
 | Bobs Historical Dive Gear Evening | |
Also in March, Bob hosted an evening where he explained how he began collecting his amazing array of old regulators and his involvement with the Historical Diving Society. We got to see just a small sample of his collection of over 200 items of scuba gear, see the technical drawings he's made of them over the years and, for some, most entertaining of all, look through his collection of magazines and clippings of anything scuba related going back to the 1950s. I'm not sure that any of us will be following instructions on how to make our own aqua lung, though Peter was very taken with the underwater camera housing made from plywood, so who knows... ! Many thanks to Bob for such an entertaining evening and also to Jon, Jo and Dutch for providing refreshments for everyone. The money raised was presented to Bob who has chosen to pass it onto the Friends of the Pier. |
Training Updates |  | |
The classroom and pool sections of the Ocean Diver course are nearing completion and our six new trainees are making good progress. We look forward to welcoming them to their open water dives, let's hope they bring us good weather this year ! |
 | IPSACs Anniversary... or not ! | |
BSAC have written to Chris confirming that BSAC Branch number 1058 was registered in 1978, making us 30 years old ! In fact, the branch was established quite some years before the club was created and named IPSAC, so the club is still only a teenager. Nevertheless, as we're always on the lookout for an excuse to go dining, I'm sure this will be used as reason to celebrate in the near future ! |
Up and Coming ... details of forthcoming events | ||
Quiz Night |  | |
I've had many enquiries as to whether we're having another quiz night this year, so get brushing up on your general knowledge (not forgetting the trivia, of course) for an evening testing the old grey matter at the Black Swan, Swanage on Wednesday 16th April at 7pm. Cost will be £8 each, this will include a jacket potato supper with choice of fillings: | ||
Start of Season Meal |  | |
Our traditional get together to celebrate the start of this year's diving season will be on Thursday 1st May at the Ghurka, Sandford. |
 | Dive Planning | |
Chris is working on this year's Dive Plan and it will shortly be published in the member's area of the website. At the time of writing this newsletter, the first shakedown dive under the pier is planned for Wednesday 7th May, but all will be confirmed soon ! Lets hope that this year the weather will be kinder to us than last... |
Help Needed at the Pier | |
A reminder that the Friends of the Pier are in dire need of volunteers to act as 'Gate Guardians' on dive season Wednesday afternoons, plus any other times that anyone may be able to help out. Please give some consideration to this and if you are able to help please contact the Pier. |
Radio Course | |
This is now set for Saturday 20th April; many thanks to Jane for investigating this and making all the arrangements ! |
 | BSAC Qualification Cards | |
Did you know that you can now send for a credit card size qualification card from BSAC ? Very handy for proving your qualification on overseas trips etc. Just complete the form and send them a photo plus fee of £10.50 (BSAC member rate). All details can be found on the BSAC web site here : Diver Qualification Cards |
Dates for Your Diary ... a summary of what is planned | ||
Every Saturday Evening Swimming pool sessions at Wareham swimming baths, see below for details. | ||
Pool Sessions | ||
We are coming to the end of the swimming pool sessions at the Purbeck Sports Centre, Wareham. The last dates we have the pool available to us in April are Saturday 5th and 19th. Sessions are £2.00 per person. Please try to come along and support this; either for a swim or just to check our your kit before the season gets underway. | ||