SMB and PPB Courses, and BIG WEEKEND filling up fast

Since we published the newsletter at the end of last week we have taken quite a few bookings for the SMB and PPB courses we are running later in the year. So, if you want to go on either of those courses, get your names down sooner rather than later. And, we are already starting to book up dives and accommodation for the bog weekend on 23/24/25 May. I cannot stress enough, this is a Bank holiday weekend so is likely to be busy. If you want to join in with the fun, let us know as soon as possible.

Successful Students

Well done to all our successful students this weekend just gone. They were blessed with calm water and sunshine. We look forward to seeing you all again soon.

March Newsletter

The March Newsletter is finished - I know, it's a few days early this month .... well I try. Loads of great stuff in it including details on the Spinnaker Tower event. We also have a great trip lined up - THE big club weekend in May. There are more discount offers on dive gear and some great courses that you might like to book onto this season. As well, there reports on a club trip by Sue G-P, a St Lucia trip by Nick Ayling and a report from Ian and I on a trip to France for this years Top Oceanic Dealer Awards. Click here for more.

Club boat out for the first time this season

The club RIB was out this weekend for the first time this season and a number of members took advantage of some superb diving conditions down in Portland. Viz was between 5 - 10m according to some (although sue G-P reckons she might have made it worse for those that followed her). Sue has written a report for the newsletter so you can find out all about it.

Bad News for my Marathon des Sables Attempt

You may have realized that I was due to be leaving for Morocco in 10 days time. Unfortunately I have had a bit of a disaster. Within the last 3 weeks of so, I have managed to develop a condition that will prevent me from taking part in the race. This was discovered during the final medical and ECG. All is not lost and I have been offered a place on the race next year, however, it means another 12 months of training, preparation and planning. The sponsors who have provided kit and financial support have been great and over the next 12 months (once I am fit again) I will continue to write kit reviews during training runs and competitions. If you have donated money towards this run, I hope that you will be happy to allow me to keep the money in the Run the Sahara appeal account until this time next year.
I have written a full update of what happened on my "Run the Sahara" website which you can read by clicking here. Thank you for your continued support.

Successful IDC Finishes

This weekend saw the end of our first IDC of the year. 3 Candidates completed the training programme and by the end of it all of them were achieving some excellent scores in the evaluated areas of pool work, presentations and open water training. Sarah and Graham will be going to Gildenborough next weekend to take the Instructors Exam and Lee will be going to Bristol in a few weeks. We wish all 3 of the them every success in the exam and look forward to a celebratory drink on their return.

The next IDC we are running is in June. There are already 3 candidates on the course, but if you are an aspiring instructor who thinks that being a diving educator is the ticket for you, why not get in touch.

The Sun is Out ...

What a cracking weekend to finish an Open Water course. The boat was out for the first time this month as we finished off an Open Water Course. The water was 8 degrees and visibility was around 4m on the Dredger, but it was a flat calm sea - the RIB cruised at 28 knots with 10 passengers on board - great fun for everyone. Many congratulations to all of the students who successfully completed the Course.

Another Top Dealer Award

Ian and I have just come back from France having been at the Oceanic Seminar. And once again, we have won a Top Dealer award. We have won an award for about the last 6 years, so we are getting used to it, but it is always nice to be recognised for what you have achieved. Many thanks to all our customers, who made it possible by supporting us.