Well if you did not realise it before now, I’m going to tell you that the AGM is just 5 weeks away. I wonder how many of you will make the effort to attend this year?
The past month has been quite active with trips to the club wreck and our annual expedition to Cornwall. Thankfully this year this trip went without any injuries but sadly did not pass without mishap. Pete Davies had engine problems yet again; we have said that he needs to sink the one he’s got and spend some more on a new one. Due to the Harbour Regatta happening early in the month, the West Wales trip had to be postponed (I understand the boat was not available either). The Harbour regatta saw us providing safety cover for WesFed as we do every year. It also saw members taking part in the Gig racing and although we did not reach the finals, all our boats recorded very good times. Mid month saw another group visiting our club wreck and also experiencing the worst weather of all the trips. I understand there was quite a bit of fish feeding going on aboard the boat. I would like to thank Chris Barker, our Advanced Diver Rep, for organising all these trips to the wreck. Late in the month saw us revisiting Marazion and Trevair campsite. Both Val and Phil were surprised and happy to see us, especially after last year and made every effort to welcome us. As normal we did our own thing, much to their annoyance, but they let us get on with it. The weather was very kind to us and we had some wonderful days when we dived the various sites available from here. Another thing worth mentioning is that this expedition had the most number of divers attending throughout the week that I can remember with one day having 20+ divers wanting to dive, thankfully everyone enjoyed themselves. One thing that I am glad about is the amount of drills that we managed to complete and I thank all those who gave up their time to allow this to happen.
Training
The new Sports Diver program is well under way and I have been asked to provide a new Dive Leader program. Can everyone who is interested in this program please let me know? I am planning to carry out the Dive Leader knowledge review in the coming weeks, so if you need to do this you had better get studying At present there are five candidates.
Practical skills for all grades are being done when conditions allow, Stewart Butterfield is organising another trip to Horsea Island, an ideal site to complete drill and if you are lucky there may even be a Bar-B-Que. again.
General
Over the last few months I have been saying how important it is that we get the boats in a saleable state. To that end another working party was organised on the 9th September, my thanks go to Carol Sheppard, Terry Hall, Bob Abbott (yes he’s back in the fold) Matthew Bell, Per Borjesson and Shaun Morris for making the effort to help out. Also I would like to thank Cyril Hucker for taking the time to complete the welding on the trailer, this is what has been holding us up for sometime. Although we did not complete all the work, the majority of it has now been done and hopefully the rest will be completed in the coming weeks. Sadly I do not think there is enough time this season for us to sell one of the boats, but hopefully early next year we will have both boats in a state were we can sell one of them. We have moved the Dunlop and created a space for our new boat, which should be arriving in the very near future. If you would like to be one of the first persons to have a ride in it, get your names down and see Carol Sheppard who is organising the draw.
The fund raising is still going and monies are still being raised, I know that Carol is doing a few as I write, so see her if you would like to know what is going on.
Forthcoming Fund Raisers
A £1 prize guessing game on how much the Dunlop boats weighs will be run as soon as it is road worthy.
A Treasure Hunt around Bristol City centre and another ‘Guess Who’ competitions are also being planned
Are there any more ideas out there on how to raise funds? Come on you must have some.
Lecture Program for 2001
Club Diver – New program will be starting soon for new starts
Sports Diver – New program ongoing. Open Water Dives being carried out.
Dive Leader – Review to be planned.
New program being planned
Advanced Diver – Mandatory SDC’s as and when required.
Optional SDC’s to be discussed
See our Web Site for relevant information on dates for Lecture program details
Dates for your diary
28th – 30th September 2001 – Porthkerris Cornwall
6th – 21st November 2001 – Phuket, Thailand
22nd December 2001 – Annual Club Dinner Dance – Jury’s Hotel, Prince Street
NOTE: – There may be additional expeditions being planned that are not listed here.
See our Web Site for information on these events and other diving expedition
Happenings
I am organising an Oxygen Admin and First Aid for Divers course over the weekend of the 3rd & 4th of November. These are being run within the Regional Coaching group. If you would like to attend please let me have your name as soon as possible. As we have our own O2 kit, I think we should all be able to use it effectively so have a think about it. The cost is £10 registration and costs on the day. (Should be no more than £25 hopefully).
DO’s thought for the month
SOMETIME IT’S EASIER TO DO IT YOURSELF,
That way you know the job’s been done
Harry Ryalls
BAS-AC
