23 February 2009

Red Sea Shore Based Week ~ November 2009

Just sounding-out at this stage! Drop me an email if you are interested in a week of boat dives in the Red Sea based at a hotel? Possibly Marsa Alam or Taba but other options possible!

Selsey Lifeboat Station ~ Saturday 25th April

Had to go to Tenerife for a few days last week for bank stuff. I managed to sneak-off for a morning shore dive on the Wednesday. Cuttlefish, octopus, a biiig friendly trumpet fish and lots more.
Great stuff, anyway, it's made me get my diary out to sort out a UK shore dive. Mulberry Divers are doing a marshalled dive re the above, meeting time is 14:30. Anyone care to join me?

1). Simon
2). Chris-P
3).
4).

19 February 2009

Meridian Divers Social Evening at Ocean View ~ 18th February

You have got to hand it to Ocean View at Lancing , they have got very comprehensive facilities for divers but arguably their greatest asset is a a warm welcome!

Not only is Ocean View a 5 star PADI IDC Centre but it has :-

* an on site 4 metre deep training pool
* All levels of training from novice to instructor run in spacious classrooms
* On-site servicing by Asset trained technicians including wetsuits and drysuit repairs
* Nitrox and Air to 300Bar
* On site diving and recreation club including fully licensed bar
* Boat charter available
* Access to an inland (all year) open water dive site (Brighton Marina)

I might be wrong (and some one will no doubt correct me if I am) but I don't think that any other dive centre in Sussex (possibly the South East) has all of those facilities and having now personally used of all the facilities it fair to say that they will take some beating!

But as I said above all of those wonderful facilities (the pool is REALLY warm!) are secondary to an unsurpassed friendly and welcoming atmosphere. And, yes the bar prices are very reasonable too! Graeme & business partner Sue made the Meridian Diver contingent very welcome as did the OV members present. A very pleasant evening followed as the exchange of dive stories (and other tall stories) were exchanged and some ideas discussed. In between serving the drinks and welcoming guests Graeme was showing new kit to divers and sorting out some servicing and repair jobs. Well done to our hosts for a jolly good social evening.

A special thanks to from my chum who I took for a try dive in their pool a couple of weeks ago, he was very impressed with the facilities and I think , he may just have been hooked!

Holiday Discounts ~ Cornwall & Corfu

Debbie & Stuart are pleased to be able to offer any member of 'Meridian Divers' a 10% discount on the following:-

Cornwall - holiday cottage in picturesque coastal town of Fowey. Sleeps 4/5. Pets and children welcome. Open all year round. For more information go to www.seashells-fowey.co.uk or telephone 01323 897010 / 07765 903165

Corfu - Greece - Town house in heart of traditional Greek village - known as the 'Balcony of Corfu' due to its panoramic views. Large balcony. Sleeps 4/5. Nearest beach 10 mins drive. For more information go to www.corfuhouse.co.uk or telephone 01323 897010 / 07765 002080

17 February 2009

Meridian Divers ~ Social Evening 18th February 2009

Just a reminder that we will be meeting at Ocean View at 7:30 for a social evening on Wednesday 18th February 2009.

09 February 2009

Seazones 10th May & 12th July 2009

I have booked Seazones for Sunday 10th May (high tide 12:55) and Sunday 12th July (high tide 15:11). No decision has been made where to go. If you are interested in either of the dates please post a comment and any preference of what to dive.

10th May 2009
1. Ernie
2. Tad
3. Chris-P
4. Therese
5. Simon
6. Tracey
7. Sean
8. Prometheus
Reserve 1.
Reserve 2.

12th July 2009
1. Ernie
2. Tad
3. Chris-P
4. Therese
5. Simon
6. Tracey
7. Sean
8. Prometheus
Reservce 1.
Reserve 2.

Ernie

07 February 2009

Take-Up The DIVER Buoyancy Challenge!

Pulled this off DIVERNET for anyone that's interested-sounds like fun!

How good is your underwater buoyancy?

DIVER are looking for Britain's most neutrally buoyant divers, and if you've got what it takes, you could be in line for some tasty prizes and a good day out. You also get to show off your skills in the 6m-deep, 10 x 12m-square tank where underwater sequences for major films. You'll be photographed in there too!

Britain's first DIVER Buoyancy Challenge is organised by Mavericks Diving/Ocean Optics, which is based at the Underwater Studio at Basildon in Essex, and runs diver training and specialist underwater photography and buoyancy clinics there.

The event takes place over the weekend of March 7/8. We expect it to be a lot of fun, but it also has its serious side. The DIVER Buoyancy Challenge experience is free. You will be allocated a time slot, briefed and weight-checked, and then put through an underwater obstacle course of increasing complexity. You may start with a straight midwater stop, fin pivots, hovering and controlled ascents and descents. You will progress to passing through diamonds and tunnels at different levels, perhaps stopping to play underwater 'skittles' or 'darts' before finning through a slalom course, and so on.

It's even possible to generate currents in the tank. The highest-achievers will deserve their accolades. Prizes already confirmed for the highest achievers include a Seaquest Pro QD men's or Pearl women's BC with i3 technology, donated by Mavericks Diving; a Fuji camera and housing from Fuji; an Inon wide-angle lens from Ocean Optics; a day on the Underwater Studio set during a filming project, donated by the studio; a day of personal underwater photography coaching from leading exponent Martin Edge; a place on a Jamie Watts marine biology day; and two Precision Buoyancy Workshop places with Mavericks.

There will be more prizes, too, and the event will provide the basis for a major feature in DIVER later this year, as well as a presentation at the London International Dive Show. We're looking for divers trained by any agency, including commercial, police or military as well as sport divers, and at any level at or above the equivalent of a PADI Open Water/BSAC Ocean Diver. You'll need your own dive-gear.

FIND OUT MORE:-
Join in the fun by calling Steve Warren on 01268 523786, or email mavericks@mavericksdiving.co.uk find out more about Mavericks Diving and Ocean Optics, visit www.mavericksdiving.co.uk and www.oceanoptics.co.uk and for Underwater Studio information go to www.actionunderwaterstudios.com

04 February 2009

Shipwrecks and Dive Sites of Sussex and Kent

As discussed at the last meeting a new blog site has been created to act as a resource for everyone that dives of the coast of both Sussex and Kent. The idea of this blog is that clubs, individuals and others that are interested can add to the blog to build a useful site containing info on diveable shipwrecks and divesites in Kent and Sussex

www.divingsussexshipwrecks.blogspot.com

Thank You Sheila!

Now that I and many others have handed over lots of money, I would just like to say a big 'Thank You' to Sheila (and Ernie!) for all their work in organising what I am sure will be a great holiday. I know there's been lots of emails flying about what with the change of airline, dates and accomodation and having to collate lots of information on behalf of us all. I would just like to say how much I appreciate you taking this on board - if it'd been down to me I think I would've lost all my hair by now!

Now all that's left to say is roll on April!!

03 February 2009

Meridian Divers Meeting ~ 29th January

A very productive MD meeting took place on Wednesday 28th January , Hon Sec Sheila has produced the notes which will be circulated very soon. In the meantime here is a brief flavour of the outcomes:-

1. A Pre-Red Sea Dive Trip social will be organised to give everyone the chance to mingle with buddies on the trip and to ask any questions! We hope to offer some pool practice for those with new kit or rusty skills! Still some places left in this trip , these are now open to anyone through Tony Backhurst. The last night of this trip will be spent in a hotel (for added pre-deaprture comfort) . No-one has to share a room , unless they want to :-) !

2. A summer dive trip to the Channel Islands will be explored.

3. Ernie will be posting some Seazones availability on the blog.

4. Tad will be confirming the daye for the Soup Dragon Dive.

5. Tracey will be arranging a G0-Cart Racing day at Filching Manor.

6. The next meeting will take the form of a social at Ocean View on 18th February

7. Only one place left on the Swanage Dive Trip. (Plymouth fully booked).

8. Beach BBQs are planned for the following Sundays : 24 May, 26 July, 13 September.

Worthing Wall Drift Dive ~ Sunday 8th February


4 Spaces available on this dive this Sunday (8th Febuary) for a drift dive on the Worthing Wall. Meet 08.15 am at Lady B Marina, Shoreham. Diving with ILESDIVER . Max depth 14M. Suitable for Open Water Divers and upwards, £20 per person.

Call Ocean View to book on to this dive 01903 767224



Dog Racing at Hove Track ~ Saturday 28th March



So here it is , a night out organised by Ocean view at Hove Greyhound racing track, all from Meridian divers are invited to attend on Saturday 28th March.

What you get:-
1. Admission
2. Racecard
3. Basket Meal
4. Two drinks
5. £1 bet on the tote

Any more details can be found at http://www.brightondogs.co.uk/

Cost £12 per person (if you take your own dog and it wins you get a discount!!)

Please call the shop to book and pay for this night out 01903 767224

NAS Intro Course ~ Saturday 28th March

This was put on Ocean views forum by Paul Grinyer who has sorted this one out;

Following the excellent talk give by Tad on the TR Thompson I have been in touch with The NAS to get them to run a course at the club for us. Initially we're proposing to do the Intro Course on the 28th March 2009.

We need a minimum of 10 to run the course and if there are enough people interested then we can run a second course on the Sunday 29th March 2009.

Here are the general details for the course:
An introduction to foreshore and underwater archaeology . This is the entry-level course to the NAS Training Programme and is aimed at introducing nautical archaeology to divers and non-divers, and promoting their interest in the subject. It provides a broad-based view of the subject by covering a wide range of topics.

The objectives of the course are that participants should:
1. Have been introduced to the basic principles and scope of nautical archaeology.

2. Appreciate the importance of our nautical heritage and the need for the recording, protection and preservation of the underwater heritage.

3.Have been given the necessary knowledge to undertake a basic pre-disturbance site survey The emphasis during the practical sessions is on surveying and recording.

In addition, the theory component stresses the need for the conservation and preservation of the underwater cultural heritage. The format involves a one-day course, which is conducted by approved tutors and instructors. Certain parts of the course can be adapted to suit the special requirements of the individual groups taking part.

The minimum diving qualification level for those taking part in the pool exercises is CMAS 1-Star or equivalent, e.g. BSAC Ocean Diver, SAA Open Water Diver, or PADI Open Water. The 'Introductory' course is not examined and participants are provided with a certificate of attendance only.

The course cost will be £60 per person. We need to get an idea of numbers as soon as possible so if you're interested please call Graeme at the shop 01903 767224.

This really should be an excellent and interesting course, particularly to those who are interested in wreck diving and the history of our local wreck sites.