Rumours of Course Director Going Over to the Dark Side

There have been some rumors of a course director under taking BSAC training in Horsea lake. This is catagorically denied. Said course director was off duty at the time.

Move Over Brad.........

Here comes Murrell.....

Some of you may have seen a BBC programme about Buster Crabb on the beeb the other night. You know the guy, good looking dashing hero type, tries to sort out the baddies, disappears into the murky depths never to be seen again. Loads of conspiracy theories and blatant lies from both sides. Some of the filming was actually done in the Solent and not from a british navy vessel but from our old mate Pete Street’s boat Trojan. But who was the equally dashing divemaster dressed in black and acting his heart out in the corner. None other than our own Chris Murrell. It was not quite up to RADA standards darling and he's not yet asked whether he should get an agent, and I note he's not been nominated for an oscar. But hey, it's early days. So when you next watch it on the inevitable series of repeats – watch for that fleeting moment of fame.

For those of you who might get him confused with Brad, here are some photos for comparison, uncanny huh?

Spring Ball Nearly Full

The Spring Ball is on 24 March and at the moment we have had 112 provisional bookings, so we suspect it is going to be over subscribed. There is a choice menu and we need payment as soon as possible so we can send you the options sheet. If you want to go and have not let us know yet, get in quick.

Another Cracking Club Night

In spite of howling gales outside, the January club night was extremely well attended with 86 people turning up. The food was superb and the raffle of unwanted Christmas Presents (which included 1/2 bottle of rum and an age discrimination handbook) raised £186 for charity. Not bad for a normal club night! Thanks to everyone for donating money and prizes. I will remind you again nearer the time, but please note that the next club night is on 1 February.

Another one goes to "The Dark Side"

Many congratulations to Felipe Meza, our club member from Chile, who recently passed his CCR course on the Evolution. Felipe, on a tour with the Chilean Navy and here for a couple of years, had previously qualified on the Mk16 but decided to move on to the Evolution for pleasure diving.

Last Dive of 2006

14 dive club members braved the wind and rain for a last plunge of the year in Vobster on 29 December. With hardly anyone there, viz was superb with about 15m even in the more usually silty areas of the lake. As we could actually see things, I have produced a short 5 minute video of all the attractions for those of you who have not quite managed to see them in the gloom. The next club dive will be on 4 January to vobster again. Contact Chris in the dive centre if you want to come along.

Santa goes to Rainbow Centre

Once again we sponsored the Rainbow Centre Christmas party with a donation of £600, which (coupled with a further £500 which was raised from the London marathon I ran - money still coming in somehow!) all meant that a great party was had by all. Donk and Tina kindly helped out by standing in for Santa and Elf (they were away on business - busy time of year apparantly) and Katie who looked absolutely wonderful in fairy outfit wings and wand! There are a few photos in the Gallery.

Christmas Ball Photos in the Gallery

For those of you who can't remember the Christmas Ball, I have posted some photos on the website in the Gallery section. It was another cracking night and a sell out with 131 members and guests turning up for a evening of frivolity. Click here to go to the Gallery

Christmas Ball - the morning after......

Well the Ball was another outstanding success. There was drinking and dancing a plenty for 130 people and we also raised over £1400 for the Rowan's Hospice. With all the Triton staff staying at the Royal Beach that night (to help assist club members of course, had absolutely nothing to do with excessive drinking till 4am), for the first time in years the shop wasnt open by 08:30......when we all crawled into work at 10:30 we were met by a queue of customers standing outside in the cold.....oops!.......sorry guys!.....

Anyway hair of the dog and all that, once it had turned midday we thought it only proper to banish the hangovers with a bottle of bubbly. Photos from the night will be in the gallery soon, until then here's a photo of Bill, Jean and David looking slightly worse for wear!

She's back!!

....and looking very suspicious!

This latest image was captured aboard a boat in the Red Sea. The constrictions of land based travel have been over come. It seems that no where is safe.......

Mark Rogers

It is with deep sadness and regret that we have to tell you that Mark Rogers recently went missing on a dive to the Blue Hole and died as a result of the incident. Mark was a dive guide and instructor at Poseidon Divers in Dahab and was well known to many members of the club who have visited the centre over the past couple of years. He was extremely popular with everyone he met because of his friendliness, energy, enthusiasm and huge sense of fun. Our thoughts, and those of everyone in the club, are with his family and friends at this time. We will miss you Mark.

Now even Daleks want to learn to dive ....

"There is a Dakek at the front door" was the call. And true to form there was. Club member Rob Thrush popped into the dive centre ... with a Dalek on the back seat of his car. .... complete with flashing lights and voice effect machine. Well it is not often you get a visit from outer space so we thought we would invite it in for a photo. The Dalek can be seen this evening at Gunwharf raising money for Children in Need.

First Aid at Work Course

Many congratulations to all 9 candidates who recently passed their First Aid at Work course with us. The course runs over a 4 day period and is recognized by the HSE. Anyone interested in this training should contact the centre.

Water Watch Week Makes the PADI Undersea Journal

Some of you may remember that back in June we encouraged local schools to take part in Water Watch Week. We also produced a website in support of the programme (www.waterwatchweek.org). Well our efforts and those of the children involved have not gone unnoticed and this quarter we have got a mention in the PADI Undersea Journal. The magazine goes out to all PADI professionals around the World and is this is the second time we have been featured.

New Baby!

Congratulations to Sharon and Tony. Keira Marie Oliver was born on 4th November to the sound of fireworks at 19:21 weighing 7 lb and 12 oz. Mother and baby are doing well and have left hospital and are settling in back home.

Halloween Party Photos in the Gallery

It was another epic party with some great costumes, excellent food, atrocious dance moves (except from Kevan of course!) and sore heads the following morning! Photos from the night have been published in the gallery.

Well Done to All the Runners ...

Well done to all the dive club members who ran the Great South Run this morning. 2 members had to drop out at late notice but it was a still a good showing. Conditions for the race were pretty appalling with strong Southerly winds and lashing rain - the last mile was a real treat! So if you have sponsored myself, Catriona, Kim, Chris, Andrea or Wyndham now is the time to get in touch and let them have your pledges so that we can get all the money to the Lifeboats. We will let you know how much we raised in due course. Thanks as well to all those club members who stood in the rain to cheer the runners on - it was much appreciated.

New First Aid Instructors

Many congratulations to Tina, Jenny, Alex, Ian, and Paul, who passed their EFR Instructors course on 18 October.

Gozo refreshes parts other holidays cannot reach

Touch me ..... I' is chilled right down to the core. And Gozo is just the place to do it. Hard working Neal relaxed so much that his hair saw some remarkable growth in just a short period of 7 days. We even have the photographic evidence to prove it as you can see in the before and after shots above. Whilst Neal is quite proud of his new flowing locks he intends to have a cut straight away as the dog didn't recognize him when he got home!

Gozo Report Published

I have published a eport from the Gozo trip onto the website (click here for link) for all of those who want to know what they missed. Photos just being resized for the Gallery.