Save the Dive Pool!
You may have read in the local Oldham Evening Chronicle that there are proposals
to redevelop the central Sports facility in Oldham - this includes the swimming stadium
as well as the other facilities. Whilst the redevelopment is currently only a proposal,
then it is obvious that unless we make our voice heard at an early stage in the process,
then the provision of comparable diving facilities in the new development will not
make it onto the drawing board. I have included a link to an “I-petition” drawn up
by the Oldham Dive Club (high-board, not SCUBA) and it only seems right that we should
sign-up to show our support. The more we can get to sign up, then the more likely
our voice will be heard. If you have family, friends and colleagues who are willing
to support us, then please ask them to sign-up as well. Thank you.
Congratulations
I don’t think that I’ve mentioned this before, but we have a new fully fledged Open
Water Instructor in our club. I think that most of the current club members have
been on the receiving end of very valued instruction from Dave Menzies over the past
few years - his dive management skills (and most of the others!) are second to none!
Anyway, he provided this instruction under the guise of an Assistant Instructor -
so he took himself off to Tenerife in March to attend an intensive week-long Instructor
Training course. I’m extremely pleased to say that he passed with flying colours
- so a big thank you to Dave for putting himself through the trials and tribulations
and congratulations to him on passing the exams - Well Done!
Welcome
We have another new member in our midst - Iain Lingard, a qualified Sport Diver has
recently joined our ranks. A good friend of Ian Baker, he has already signed on to
the May RIB weekend and the Oban trip in September. As he works away in Oxford we
may not see him down at the pool that much, but if you see him around, then give
him a big welcome and make him feel at home - Welcome, Ian!
April Diary
April traditionally sees the start of the UK diving season and although we didn’t
start our sea diving at Easter we did a fortnight later on the weekend of the 21st
& 22nd. But before that, we did venture to Capernwray over the Easter break for a
spot of refresher training. Only a handful of hardy souls turned out but with the
water temperatures slowly picking up to a balmy 8 degrees, the hardy four survived
two 35 minute dives in crystal clear visibility. To be able to see the African Queen
from the Podsnap and the Oil Rig from the plane is exceptional! A good day was had
by all and it was rounded off by the Capernwray equivalent of a Chocolate Extravaganza!
Which brings me neatly to the home of the real “Extravaganza” - Abersoch! As mentioned
we journeyed down to Tyn Rhos over the weekend of the 21st & 22nd - five members
turned up for the boat ‘fettling’ on the Saturday. Jobs completed to make the boat
‘sea-worthy’ for the season included fitting a new bilge pump and switch, new fuel
line filters, recharging the battery and pumping up the tubes and tyres! Thanks to
Pete, Dave, Pat and Stewart for their efforts in getting the boat ready - it was
successfully launched and run on the Saturday afternoon, but although the seals were
out in force on Half-Tide rocks, we decided against having a dip. Sunday dawned bright,
but a swell had been building which meant that the only really safe place to dive
was Chapel Bay on East St. Tudwals. Pat, Pam, Stewart & myself had a shallow splash
in the bay, but there wasn’t a right lot to see - Hermit Crab, a couple of Pipefish
and a few Scallop and that was your lot!! A second wave saw Rod & Jan diving with
Dave in the Channel, but again there wasn’t a right lot to see. Probably a bit too
cold for the marine life yet, but at least the season got underway successfully!
May Events
As I’m writing this on the 7th (apologies!), You’ve already missed the entertaining
and informative talk on Cave Diving by Iain and Dave on Wednesday the 2nd and also
the Skills Training day at Capernwray on the 6th! So, what else is there to look
forward to in May?? Well, we have our first full RIB weekend at Abersoch next weekend
- the 12th & 13th. Only four members have put their names down for this so far, so
if you want to join them on the weekend, then contact Dave asap - the forecast is
currently looking good! Alternatively, if you can only manage a day, then Pat is
arranging a visit to Eccleston Delph on Sunday 13th. A new venue for most club members,
Eccleston now vies with Capernwray with underwater ‘attractions’ for divers. If you
haven’t been and fancy a dip, then get in touch with Pat for details.
Our advertised hardboat weekend to Dartmouth on the 26th & 27th of the month has
unfortunately had to be cancelled due to a lack of support and we round the month
off with the first of our Summer evening dips at Capernwray on Wednesday 30th. We’ll
be there from 4pm (or possibly earlier if demand exists), and you can either go for
a dip or practise some skills (or do both!). These are excellent informal and social
evenings - we do realise that it is a trek for most, but it would be great to see
you there.
