More Ocean Divers

Hi Everyone

 

Just to make sure that everyone know we now have 2 more Ocean Divers in LSSAU, congratulations go to Stefan and Callum who completed last Friday.

 

Connor, Stefan and Callum I have not signed the applications( the form with the URN)  for you to get the Ocean Qualification Cards and Callum I also need to sign your log book certificate.  Please can you get them to me as soon as possible.

 

I look forward to seeing you all practising your skills at the pool before too long.

 

Marg

Ocean Divers and Snorkel Instructors

Hi Everyone

 

Hope you do not mind me putting this out to you all at once but it seems the easiest thing to do.

 

First - congratulations to Connor, we have a new Ocean Diver and I am sure that Callum and Stefan will be keeping up the Ashby Tradition tomorrow and Friday. 

 

Diving between now and Christmas.  The water temperature in Stoney Cove should stay in double figures i.e. not drop below 10C until mid - end of December.  Please liase with Matt and Jim for dates when they will be available.  My diary is quite full until the end of the year, but don't ignore me particularly if anyone is available for a dive mid week.  After Christmas we generally avoid young people diving because of their susceptibility to the cold,  even in dry suits, the Stoney Cove water temperature can drop to a bone chilling 3C

 

Early January LSSAU will be planning trips for next year usually the first meeting in the new year. Please stay in touch and I suggest Ashby group you plan to come over at least two Thursday evenings early spring to keep your scuba skills fresh.  Let us know when you are coming so kit and Instructors are available.

 

Snorkelling

As, I think everyone knows, BSAC has been awarded a Sport England grant for the promotion and development of Snorkelling particularly for the 14 - 18 yrs age group and snorkelling in Scouts is something that we have been pushing, with limited success for some years.  Scout HQ, Gilwell are involved and a primary plan is to get Scout leaders from around the Country trained as Snorkel Instructors so more counties can run Splash Camp type events with snorkelling as a feature. 

 

Locally I am very keen to run a Snorkel Instructor Course & Assessment for us and hopefully the Ashby team and others of a similar age will be candidates.  To successfully achieve Snorkel Instructor good personal snorkel skills will be required and then the ability to teach skills in water, lead snorkel games, as well as giving short basic presentations in a classroom.  I am planning on running an event locally perhaps March time,  and again like scuba, pool and coaching time will be available so the actual Snorkel Instructor Course will not be too much of a steep climb.  I will keep you all informed.

 

Best Regards

Marg

Diving officer

Leicestershire Scouts Sub Aqua Unit

Scouts Compete in International Bog Snorkelling Championship


August bank holiday saw ten brave folk from Leicestershire make the long trip to Llanwrtyd Wells in mid Wales in order to compete in the annual International Bog Snorkelling Championship.


The 10 strong team representing Leicestershire Scouts, the Leicestershire Scouts Sub Aqua Unit (LSSAU) and the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) were made up scuba diving instructors, scout leaders, and scouts from across the county. Ages of this motley team ranging from 12 to 50(ish)...



The weather was not untypical for a Welsh bank holiday weekend varying from drizzle, driving rain to a damp mist. The sort of weather you usually get for a Beaver camp in fact. Perfect for ensuring a full bog and bracing swim...



The race itself is against the clock and consists of two lengths of a 60 yard stretch of peat bog with simple rules....doggy paddle or basic fining only and snorkelers must be face down in the bog looking up only to check which way to go, touch the post at the far end, and return to the finish (remember to breath!!). Extra kudos and accompanying cheers are awarded for fancy dress, with our John Drage appearing as Batman doing well in the fancy dress category.


Registration for the event was completed promptly, and we were allocated our slots in one or other of the two lanes cut into the peat for this event. Competitors were called in turn to each lane before plunging into the bog (about waste deep), and “going for it” down the length of the course. Strong competitors returning times of just over two minutes for the return trip, those less fit taking three minutes plus. The trick is to pace yourself and leave something for the return leg. Wise advice from the locals, as the course is more tiring than it looks.


Onto the event....


First into “Lane 1” was Marg Baldwin (Diving Instructor LSSAU) returning a respectable time while still maintaining excellent snorkelling form. Marg was followed by Jack Walker (Explorer Scout) and Kirsty Walker (Guide / Scout) who both did well in the junior category, Jack returning a time of 2:44.


Simon Askam was next, as the LSSAU Snorkelling Instructor Simon was carrying most of our hopes (and the smart money). Simon ran true to form with a very quick 2:18, an excellent debut.


Simon was followed a short while later by Matt Drage (LSSAU) wearing a tiger on his head, and John Drage, dressed as Batman. Times here reflecting unsuitable attire.....


A longer wait for “lane 2” saw Mark Hartburn (Scout Leader) in first, followed by Benjamin Lomax (Explorer Scout) who returned a very quick 2:40 in the junior category. Richard Lomax was next in, but did not keep enough in reserve for the return trip and did not finish. Last in was Matt Davies (Diving Instructor) who completed two very unflustered lengths in 2:44.


Explorer Scout, Jack Walker described it as “Mental, but great fun”, Benjamin Lomax vowed he would be defending his “Explorer Scout Category Win” next year, and Kirsty Walker said on completing her 120 yards....”where are the showers then”.



All in all a very wet, very muddy, fantastic entertainment for the spectators, amazingly tiring for the competitors, and a great day out.....



Thanks to Tony Bain (Local Scout Leader) for support, and all the good people of Llanwrtyd Wells for making us so very welcome.



Fancy a go yourself?....it will be on next year. Check Out http://www.green-events.co.uk/ for details, eligibility and rules...




Jack Walker and Benjamin Lomax, keen and ready.

Kirsty Walker. Finished in 3 minutes 40 seconds

Lomax, Ready to go

That was easy....not!