LSSAU NEWS BLOG

Nibbles and drinks before Christmas - update on time

2011-12-12T07:38:00.001-08:00

We have only just been advised by Lutterworth Leisure Centre that they will
be closing on 19 December not to reopen until 27 December, so there will be
no meeting at the pool on 22 December.

As a result we will bring forward the time when we meet at the Royal Oak in
Bitteswell to around 8.30pm with nibbles etc from 9.00pm.

Hopefully many of us will be able to make it.

Cheers
Geoff

LSSAU, members nights and special subjects

2011-11-15T01:29:00.001-08:00

At last Thursday's meeting we continued the discussion regarding holding a
members night once a month. The intention of the members night was to have
the time and space available for a talk, presentation, discussion etc on a
wide variety of diving related topics that would be for the interest of and
benefit to members. It would also afford an opportunity for just the members
to get together, something which has been difficult for some time.

We thought we could start things off on the 24 November with Jim telling us
about his recent trip to Croatia during which the team he was with, had some
interesting historical dives. There will be an article in the new Dive
magazine around that time hence the timing of his talk.

As many of you will be aware, we start the new year with a dive weekend
planning meeting, choosing dive sites for the coming year and volunteers
putting their hands up to organise a given weekend. For the less experienced
members this can be a little daunting, however there are many willing
experienced hands who are more than happy to jointly organise a weekend.
This will be on 12 January, so please make every effort to be there.

With that in mind, we thought it might be useful to have a members night in
January but after 12th, where we take a look at why we organise weekends and

the sorts of things and skills that are required. As I shall be progressing
my
diving skills by starting Advanced Diver, it fits in nicely for me to take
this on.

In February, following the theme of organising and planning, Coops will take
us through the trip he organised in c1985 to Roatan. It will be interesting
for many of us to understand the complexities of organising such a
challenging exercise. For those of you who maybe don't know, it was
following
the trip to Roatan that LSSAU was formed.

In March, Marg will take us through the sorts of things she encounters on
her overseas trips, this time telling us about her most recent trip to Fiji.

It is always interesting to learn about the various things we divers find on
the seabed and deem sufficiently interesting, important, essential that we
have to bring them to the surface - broadly described as tat. As a well
experienced collector of tat, in April Rich will bring along various items
that
he has "saved" and invites everyone else to bring something along, along
with
some comment/ pictures etc as to where it came from and something as to what
it is and its origins if you know them. Who knows, there may be gold, buried
treasure!

For May, with the weather hopefully warming up and the diving weekends
almost upon
us, we thought a session on how to correctly use the radio would be useful.
The current thinking is for us to invite someone with a fair degree of
specialist skills along to take us through the use and protocol of inshore
VHF radio.

Rather than continuing on and planning more for the rest of the year, we
thought it would be best to stop for now in June with Coops telling us about

Leicestershire's contribution to the space race with "The Skylark Years"
which he presented last year to the 50th anniversary of Leicester University

X-Ray Astronomy Group.

That leaves us with an open book for further subjects during the year and
for any member to volunteer to enthuse the rest of us in some chosen subject
or field of their choice. The great thing is that anyone can step forward.

The actual dates for each month are noted on the calendar in
scubascouts.co.uk website, so please take a look and note them in your
diary. Hopefully this will give you all plenty of notice. I am sure that
they will be both enjoyable and interesting, more so if we get a good
turnout, so can I please encourage you to make a note to attend.

Cheers
Geoff

If I have missed names from this email, please forward it on to them as such
omission is by default not by design.

LSSAU - weekend away to Lyme Regis on 8 to 10 July 2011

2011-07-12T05:50:00.000-07:00

LSSAU – weekend away to Lyme Regis on 8 to 10 July 2011

This is the first time that LSSAU has dived out of Lyme Regis for many years. Attendees were Roger Cooper, Matt Davies, Geoff Duggan, Mark Hartburn, Matt Drage, Ben Lomax, Jack Hall, Jack Walker, Simon Pilsworth, Tim Beaver and Dan Pilsworth.

Dive sites for ocean divers were limited, the best being the Baygitano (Baggy), a steam collier torpedoed in 1917. Whilst much of the vessel is flattened, the two boilers stand 3m high along with some sections and the bows remain intact. The Baggy is at 18 - 22m and is located one and a half miles due south of Lyme Regis. It is said by many to be one of the all time favourite dives, known by divers everywhere as The Baggy. There is loads of life, fish congers, lobsters, crabs etc and it is an ideal training wreck, perfect for observing the construction of a WW1 steamship. The LP cylinder is broken open so the 60” piston can be seen. There are no tidal problems and it is ideal for RIB divers.

Other potential sites were scenic, other wrecks being too deep. A scenic dive was also close by at Pinhay, c2m due west.

Mindful of costs, it was decided to take one boat, Vixen, with the aim of shuttling back and fore with two separate waves of divers and Coops helming.

Saturday morning was delayed due to launching without a four by four, the harbour drying out at low tide. All bar one dived the Baggy, albeit the weather was force 4/5 rising 6 from the south west – straight into the bay. We went for a walk in the afternoon, returning at 5pm to agree that there was time for one boat load to dive off Pinhay. Matt Drage and Geoff returned to the scout hut at Uplyme to prepare tea.

Vixen was left overnight on a pontoon in the outer harbour, so allowing an early start without the problems of launching. All had an enjoyable 45min dive on the baggy, four returning after lunch for a second dive, the rest either returning to the hut to clean up or retrieving Vixen. Vixen was washed down at the hut ready to be dropped off at a secure boat yard in Castletown for use the following weekend by Marg.

All inclusive cost came to £60 per head.

The Baggy was an interesting wreck with huge boilers, a couple of swim throughs and lots of sea life. There were shoals of fish all over the top of the wreck and we saw a couple of huge conger eels side by side under the plating, they looked ten inches in diameter, five feet long and had huge heads. We also saw a couple of smaller ones elsewhere along with lobster, edible crabs, spider crabs, a multitude of different fish, including Dab, and filter feeders galore.

The Pinhay site was interesting but nothing special indicating that maybe it wasn’t right on the site that had been recommended.

Buddy pairs were Matt Drage/ Geoff Duggan, Matt Davies/ Jack Walker, Mark Hartburn/ Ben Lomax/ Tim Beaver, Simon Pilsworth/ Jack Hall.

From a planning viewpoint, due to the lack of an air-bar in Lyme, air was only available in the evening from a very helpful local farmer called John, each diver therefore having to have two cylinders. Additionally, as the harbour dried out at low tide, equipment had to be carried/ carted round the harbour to the far side which remains in water throughout. We had to plan this carefully to avoid loss of time when switching over for the second dive.

Thanks go to everyone for mucking in and making it an enjoyable and successful weekend.

11/7/11

LSSAU Diving Trip - Lyme Regis - 8-10th July 2011

2011-06-14T02:07:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone,

The next dive weekend is rapidly coming upon us.

Can you please let me know if you are interested in this trip?

Accommodation......scout hut in Uplyme. Sleeping on floor but good facilities with great kitchen and showers.

Dive Sites......Loads to choose from, a mixture of scenic. wildlife and wreck dives suitable for all active divers.

If I have missed anyone from the list, please forward this email to them.

Many thanks

Geoff

LSSAU Diving Trip - Farne Islands - 10-12th June 2011

2011-05-11T00:33:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Can you please let me know if you are interested in this trip?

Accomodation......Probably the village hall used in 2009. Sleeping on floor but good facilities with great kitchen.

Dive Sites......Loads to choose from, a mixture of scenic. wildlife and wreck dives suitable for all active divers.

Many thanks

Matt / Mark - mark.hartburn@btinternet.com

Medicals

2011-02-21T03:58:00.001-08:00

Medicals are booked for 31st March at County HQ 7PM, so if you need one
please come along.

Dive Boat Servicing and Maintenance

2011-02-11T03:41:00.001-08:00

Hi All

Fox and Vixen are now located in their new home.

The open water dive season is fast approaching, with a boat handling course imminent.

Both boats need some TLC before they can be used. Without this work there will not be any trips away!!

We are proposing Sunday Morning 20^th February, at 10.30am, to try and get the boats prepared.

Many hands make light work!

For more details either drop us a email or attend next Thursday.

Regards

Richard

Splash Camp set for 17 & 18 September 2011

2011-02-04T00:14:00.001-08:00

We now have the dates for splash camp 2011 it will be 17 & 18 September.

2011-01-28T12:26:00.001-08:00

We now have a new bsac Open Water Instructor.

Congratulations Michael very well done!

We have a new life saver.

2011-01-27T12:15:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to Jack Hall who recently passed his BSAC life saver exam.

LSSAU Dive Weekend Dates 2011

2011-01-07T01:59:00.000-08:00

Hi All

Here's some dates for dive weekends this year:

SUN 06 FEB - Boat Maintenance Day
SAT 02 - SUN 03 APR - Bridlington RIB weekend
SAT 14 - SUN 15 MAY - Plymouth (Matt / Mark (DP1))
SAT 11 - SUN 12 JUN - Farne Islands (Jim / Mark (DP2))
SAT 09 - SUN 10 JUL - Venue TBC (Geoff)
SAT 20 - SUN 21 AUG - Cornwall (venue TBC) (Adam)
SAT 17 - SUN 18 SEP - Splash Camp
SAT 24 SEP - SAT 01 OCT (dates TBC) Sound Of Mull, Scotland (Marg)

The dates are on the websites calendar and any amendments will appear there also.

Cheers
Matt

2010-12-17T00:19:00.001-08:00

We have now had our last meeting of the year and will return Jan 6th 2011.
On the 6th Jan as normal we will be choosing all of our 2011 dates so if you
want any input on weekends away & any other events & you would like to take
part please show up on the 6th and put them forward.

I would like to wish everyone Merry Christmas & a Happy New year.

Kind Regards

Simon Askham - LSSAU - Snorkel Instructor

2010-12-10T10:01:00.001-08:00

Just a quick note to say that next Thursday, the 16th Dec, we shall be
meeting at the Royal Oak in Bitteswell for a drink, a few nibbles and a chin
wag after the normal session at Lutterworth pool, say from 10pm onwards.

May I take the opportunity of wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and all the
very best for the New Year.

Hope we see you next Thursday.

Cheers
Geoff

My First Night Dive

2010-10-22T06:25:00.001-07:00

By Alexander Halliwell

Yesterday evening was the first ever time that I went scuba diving at Stoney
Cove at night time, let me tell you that I enjoyed every second of that
dive.
My diving buddy was Marg and I am sure that if you asked her about the dive,
she will agree with me that we had the best diver ever.

We saw numerous pike from small to large, about a dozen if not more than
that. We also saw hundreds of crayfish including some that had decided to
climb up the weeds looking as if they were about to bungee jump. The more
usual fish perch and roach were also around, there were tiny perch as well
as big fat ones. But the real stars of the Dive were the PIKE! Including the
one that swam straight towards us.

New Site Launched

2010-10-14T10:04:00.001-07:00

Our new website has just been launched, hope you like it. If you have any issues or spot any errors please let me know.

Kind Regards

Simon Askham - LSSAU - Snorkel Instructor - info@scubascouts.co.uk

Leicestershire Scouts Sub Aqua Unit - www.ScubaScouts.co.uk

Nights away permits

2010-10-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

As many of you will recall we discussed the need for a few more of us to hold nights away permits at the 2009 AGM. Scouting POR states that that at least one person attending a weekend away where there are under 18 year olds present should hold a nights away permit. There are only one or two members of the unit currently holding such a permit which could in the future create a problem whereby we might struggle to have a permit holder available to go on a weekend away.

In order that more unit members can be accredited with holding a nights away permit, we have arranged for Steve Pope from the Leicestershire caving unit (known to Simon Pilsworth) to come along to LSSAU on Thursday 28 October commencing at 8.00pm to do a talk/ workshop with as many of us as we wish regarding nights away permits. Following this he will make submissions to county for permits to be issued.

It would be great if we could have as many as possible attending so maximising the benefit of Steve coming over so giving us maximum flexibility and coverage for those attending future weekends away.

Cheers Geoff

Executive meeting 23rd Sept

2010-09-21T07:58:00.000-07:00

An Executive meeting will be held on this coming Thursday 23rd Sept 8pm at
the leisure centre.

Splash Camp 2010

2010-09-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone

We appear to have cruised through yet another Splash Camp with ease –
however as we all know these things don't just happen so a big thank you to
Simon for making sure we all turned up and thank you to everyone for turning
up and making sure it all happened. Everyones efforts from teaching to
fetching and returning kit are all greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Marg

Photos can be seen in the gallery section.

Weymouth/ Portland dive weekend 24, 25 26 September 2010

2010-09-07T01:42:00.001-07:00

Good morning one and all.

Given that we are getting close to the date when we have to crystallise numbers, I am seeking confirmation of those who would like to go.

At present I have firm commitment from Tim Beaver, Sam Watts, Mark Hartburn and Jack Walker.

Please therefore could I ask for anyone else who is interested to confirm such interest and for the four above to confirm that they remain interested.
Thanks

Geoff

This is to let you know that subject to interest, we have added an additional dive weekend to the calendar.

We had a cracking weekend in Weymouth earlier in the year and found the facilities in Portland harbour to be excellent.

Portland harbour offers some interesting wreck and scenic diving opportunities in waters of up to 20m that due to the shelter offered by the harbour, should be suitable for diving almost irrespective of the weather.

We have a number of newly qualified ocean divers and this weekend is offered as an ideal opportunity for them to extend their diving experience in sheltered open water.

Enquiries have been made as to the availability of nearby scout hut in Chickerell where we stayed in last time.

If you are interested in going, please will you let me know as soon as you can as I will need to firm up on the accommodation. It would be helpful if you let me know either way so that I know you received information regarding the weekend.

I would ask Andy Dunsworth to mention it to Wayne Potter, given you live close together.

I don’t have email addresses for some of the recently qualified ocean divers and so would ask Matt and Jim in particular to forward this email to anyone they see that I have missed. The same applies to the rest of you, if I have missed anyone, please could you let them know/ copy this email to them.

Thanks
Geoff

To All Members - Splash Camp Help 18th & 19th Sept

2010-08-27T02:24:00.001-07:00

Hi All

It is that time again where we have Splash Camp on the horizon & I want to start getting a list of helpers together, help of any kind is required from poolside helping people getting kitted up to full on scuba try dives......

Date - Sept 18th & 19th Sept

Location - Roundhill Community College, 997 Melton Rd, Thurmaston, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE4 8GQ‎

Times - To be confirmed but I think if it is the same as last year it will be a sat afternoon & sun morning sessions.

If you can help that is great let me know and I will put you down on my list and if you require a lift over to the pool this can be arranged closer to the event.

Kind Regards

Simon Paul Askham - LSSAU - Snorkel Instructor

Leicestershire Scouts Sub Aqua Unit - www.ScubaScouts.co.uk

Try Dive price increase

2010-08-27T01:02:00.001-07:00

As of Sept 2010 we have made the decision to increase the price of try dives from £5 to £8 for members of scouting & £10 for none scout members.

This is due to our overheads increasing, we often make a loss on pool & classroom hire.....

We still think this is a bargain for a try dive with the best Scout sub aqua unit in the world!

Important News - Change of location

2010-08-13T09:53:00.001-07:00

Important News:

As of the 19th Aug we will no longer be meeting at the school classroom, we will now be using a room at the pool leisure centre! The time for the classroom session will still be 8-9!

Weymouth/ Portland dive weekend 24, 25 26 September 2010

2010-07-23T01:19:00.001-07:00

This is to let you know that subject to interest, we have added an additional dive weekend to the calendar.

We had a cracking weekend in Weymouth earlier in the year and found the facilities in Portland harbour to be excellent.

Portland harbour offers some interesting wreck and scenic diving opportunities in waters of up to 20m that due to the shelter offered by the harbour, should be suitable for diving almost irrespective of the weather.

We have a number of newly qualified ocean divers and this weekend is offered as an ideal opportunity for them to extend their diving experience in sheltered open water.

Enquiries have been made as to the availability of nearby scout hut in Chickerell where we stayed in last time.

If you are interested in going, please will you let me know as soon as you can as I will need to firm up on the accommodation. It would be helpful if you let me know either way so that I know you received information regarding the weekend.

I would ask Andy Dunsworth to mention it to Wayne Potter, given you live close together.

I don’t have email addresses for some of the recently qualified ocean divers and so would ask Matt and Jim in particular to forward this email to anyone they see that I have missed. The same applies to the rest of you, if I have missed anyone, please could you let them know/ copy this email to them.

Thanks

Geoff

LSSAU weekend to Plymouth - Images

2010-07-06T02:30:00.000-07:00

LSSAU weekend to Plymouth - Plymouth Sound & Whitsands Bay, Friday 2 to Sunday 4 July 2010

2010-07-06T01:16:00.001-07:00

A most relaxed and enjoyable weekend attended by Jim, Matt Da, Geoff, James, Mark, Adam and Matt Dr, accommodation being at the Brixton Scout hut, which features safe parking for the boat and good beer in the Foxhound Inn close by but is somewhat tired as a facility, although they are making efforts to improve things.

Based on the weather forecast before we left Leicester, south westerly force 2/3 rising force 5/6, we fully expected to be diving within the confines of Plymouth Sound, a large natural harbour protected from the extremes of the weather by a long breakwater. One of the seven P’s associated with planning must have come to our aid as Saturday morning rose with fine weather, wind easterly force 2/3.

We launched at Mountbatten and, having contacted Brixham coastguard to advise them of our plans, toodled off on the twenty five minute journey round past Cawsands Bay to Whitsands Bay with the plan of diving whichever of the Scylla and James Egan Layne had the least numbers of dive boats on it. The Scylla it was. Buddy pairs agreed, Mark and Matt Da, Adam and Matt Dr, and Jim, Geoff and James, we dropped in for a look round. Unfortunately, although he had checked it earlier, James suit started to leak when we were half way down. After a few minutes on the deck the leak was considered too great for safe diving and we returned to the marker line and back to the surface. Jim experienced a problem with his ears which also raised concerns about continuing the dive and which later, having not cleared satisfactorily, resulted in Jim making the decision not to dive the rest of the weekend. Those that got onto the Scylla had an enjoyable dive and noted a considerable increase in growth and life.

We returned to Mountbatten for lunch and to fill up the cylinders and then back out to Whitsands Bay. Jim boat handled and Matt Dr and James remained on shore, having chosen not to dive that afternoon. The weather had deteriorated and the passage around the headland was sufficiently rough to make us think carefully about continuing, however on rounding the headland things improved and the decision to continue was vindicated with a very acceptable seas state over the James Egan Layne. Matt Da and Adam followed Geoff and Mark down onto the Egan Layne, the marker line dropping us onto a high point on the stern only five metres below the surface. Vis was

5-6 metres and a very enjoyable dive was had by all, even finding a large conger eel hiding down a pipe.

Cylinders dropped off for filling and collection the following day, we recovered the boat and returned to Brixton, for “Otter” and chilli spagbol. Having risen at 6am we were all pretty shattered and had retired by 10.30pm.

Sunday started at a far more human time of 7am with sunshine but the weather forecast had caught up with itself – now blowing South Westerly straight into Whitsands Bay and the breakwater across Plymouth Sound. There was no way we could go beyond the confines of the harbour. Permission granted from the Longroom, we launched (8.5 out of 10 to Matt Dr for artistic impression), toodled across the sound to the inner breakwater wall and dropped in around a Martello tower (fort), circumventing it and then heading due south to turn left along the breakwater. A scenic and interesting dive with Matt Dr and James, Mark and Geoff, Matt Da and Adam was followed by a cylinder fill (for some) and a scenic dive in 6 to 9m off Bovisand before returning to Mountbatten for boat recovery and wash down. We then returned to Brixton to repack everything before setting off at 5pm to return to Foxbox for 10pm.

Thanks to Geoff for organising a relaxed and enjoyable weekend, cost being £62 per head. Thanks also to Alan for being home contact.

Plymouth dive weekend 2/3/4 July 2010

2010-06-08T08:16:00.001-07:00

This is to let you know that the next dive weekend is now looming over the horizon, to be in just over three weeks time, Friday 2 July to Sunday 4 July.

Diving will be out of Plymouth, which depending on weather conditions, will hopefully include the Scylla and James Egan Lane, with accommodation booked fairly close by at the scout hut in Brixton.

I am organising the weekend and so would ask all interested parties to let me know if they would like to go.

As emails can sometimes get lost in transit, please can you let me know either way, if you are or are not interested in attending.

Details of the other weekends planned this year may be found on LSSAU website, www.scubascouts, within the calendar, so please have a look and see which of the weekends you can come along on, the next one being in early August to the Farne Islands.

I would ask Andy Dunsworth to mention it to Wayne Potter, given you live close by.

If I have missed anyone, please could you let them know/ copy this email to them.

Could I ask that you send your responses shortly as firstly, time is required in order to complete the necessary organising and secondly, numbers will be limited to the capacity of the boats.

I have confirmations so far from Roger Cooper, Matt Drage, Adam Marczak, Jim Mills and Matt Davies

Thanks

Geoff

LSSAU - first weekend to the seaside in 2010

2010-06-08T04:50:00.001-07:00

LSSAU – first weekend to the seaside in 2010

Weymouth – Portland Harbour – Portland Bill, late Friday 4 June to late Sunday 6 June

Another cracking weekend with Marg, Jim, Coops (part, boat handling), Geoff, Adam and Dragey Jnr attending, accommodation was provided by Weymouth Air Scouts, Granby Close, Chickerell comprising a great hut with pretty good facilities, all apart from parking which was a bit tight.

The Marquis of Granby a couple of hundred yards away, provided a suitable hostelry and meeting place having driven some 180 miles from Leicestershire to the “Jurassic” coast – what a suitable name for a beer. Buddy pairs agreed, Marg and Adam, Jim and Matt, and Geoff and Simon, we partook of some biscuits and cheese before retiring to bed.

Saturday started and finished with bright sunshine and a flat calm sea. We launched at the Sailing Centre which is an excellent facility with lots of space and more than sufficient parking. The sea was perfect for the circa seven mile sea journey around the Bill to Blacknor Point where we successfully located the wreck of the James Fennel, a former naval tug that had sunk in 1920 in some 18 metres of water. Located on the west side of the Bill close to Chesil Beach, all that remain of height are the boiler and engine with the rest an organised pile of plates and girders. It had a lot of life on it with several species of fish and crabs easily spotted. Visibility was a good at around 6 metres, albeit the silt kicked up quite easily.

We stopped at Castletown for lunch and to fill the cylinders, which was very pleasant, before travelling out across Portland Harbour to dive the Countess of Erne, a former paddle steamer later converted to a coal hulk, which broke its moorings in September 1935 and sunk after hitting the harbour wall. This remains intact with a pleasant swim through under the cross beams, all covered in weed, algae etc and with loads of fish and crab life. Visibility ranged from four metres at best to not a lot when the silt kicked up.

A quick jaunt back to the Sailing Centre to drop off Coops, who had to leave us early, and then we were back to Castletown to put cylinders in for filling before stopping on the way back to Chickerell at the Ferry Bridge, where we had the pleasure of meeting up with former unit members from Australia, Jamie and Milly, and Sam plus Sam’s mum Fiona and brother Conner. They all joined us for our evening meal – a great evening being had by all.

Sunday resumed the sunshine but the wind had risen and was making the harbour quite choppy. We left the harbour to dive on the leeward side of the middle wall under a former loading station built half way along its length. This was a scenic dive with much of the interesting features lying in the six to eight metre belt. The structures make it feel like a ship wreck and it is an artificial reef home to large spider crabs, Ballan Wrasse, Tom Pot blennies and the rare Black Face Blenny which was seen by all the divers. We returned to the Sailing Centre for lunch and to rescue three youngsters who had got into distress and might otherwise have drowned, before returning them to their waiting parents......young crows that is.

Our final dive, finishing off the cylinders, was on the right hand mid wall of the harbour, the bones of a wreck called the Craigside which for many years has been unnamed but extensive work by NAS has made identification possible there is another wreck close by Enicuri, colloquially known as the Spaniard. Both wrecks lie in approximately 12m. Visibility wasn’t the best at around 2 to 3 metres or less when the silt kicked up.

Having washed the boat and kit down, we returned to the hut to load up and prepare for home.

Thanks go to Marg and Jim for organising a most enjoyable weekend.

Simon Pilsworth Scout Gala Sunday 13 June, 2pm until 5pm

2010-06-08T04:48:00.000-07:00

Simon has asked if we can take our boat to a Scouts Gala to promote the unit, we will take the boat over to Willow Park in Wigston for around 1pm in readiness for the gala/ fete at 2.00pm and then man it until around 4.30pm when we can leave ahead of the official finish at 5.00pm.

Any unit helpers would be greatly received!

Portland Dive weekend

2010-05-24T12:48:00.001-07:00

Hi All

Portland Dive Weekend 5th & 6th June

Anyone interested in joining the trip to Portland please notify me ASAP. We shall be travelling down on friday afternoon / evening and weather permitting having two days diving returning sunday.

Cheers
Jim

Can anyone who has a more up to date contact list forward this on.

AGM

2010-05-19T23:44:00.001-07:00

This year's AGM will be help on Thurs 24th June 20:00 at the School, all members welcome.

Weymouth/ Portlanddive weekend 7/8/9 May 2010

2010-04-26T00:49:00.001-07:00

The first dive weekend is now looming over the horizon, to be in a fortnights time, Friday 7 May to Sunday 9 May.

Diving will be in Portland harbour, where there are several vessels to go and have a look at, with accommodation booked close by.

Marg is organising the weekend and has asked me to send out an email to all potentially interested parties seeking responses from those who would like to go.

Please therefore, as emails can sometimes get lost in transit, can you let both Marg and myself know either way, if you are or are not interested in attending.

Could I ask that you send your responses shortly as time is required in order to complete the necessary organising.

Thanks

Geoff

Medicals 25th March

2010-03-09T00:31:00.001-08:00

For those in need of an Open Water Medical Dr St John will be holding surgery @ 19.30 to 21.30

Thursday 25th March

At County Scout Centre (HQ) Winchester Road, Blaby

Please bring a 'wee sample' in a small shallow jar - no sample pots can be provided

Snorkell Instructors arrive early please.

Coops

NO DIVING TONIGHT 18th FEB!

2010-02-18T11:16:00.000-08:00

NO DIVING TONIGHT 18th FEB Due to snow, the school is closed there's been a couple of inches in Lutterworth and the roads are all a bit slow and dodgy.

Kind Regards

Simon Paul Askham - LSSAU - Snorkel Instructor

Leicestershire Scouts Sub Aqua Unit - www.ScubaScouts.co.uk

2010 Trips away dates added to calendar

2010-01-08T10:12:00.001-08:00

Inland dive - Jim - When 9 - 10 Apr 2010

Weymouth - Marg When 7 - 8 May 2010

Cornwall - Jim When 4 - 5 Jun 2010

Plymouth - Geoff When 2 - 4 Jul 2010

Farnes - Adam & Matt When 6 - 8 Aug 2010

Scotland/Abroad Week Trip. When 4 - 11 Sep 2010 - TBC

More Ocean Divers

2009-10-27T01:40:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-27T01:24:00.001-07:00

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

2009-09-03T01:51:00.000-07:00

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!