Open Water Weekend 14th and 15th May
May has shaped up as a very busy month for open water activity, and we headed off to Stoney Cove on Saturday 14th for our first of three open water weekends on the trot.
We were blessed with some absolutely cracking weather and had three open water students, two specialities and both our Divemaster Trainees in the water. Having set up our gear (including our new Northampton Scuba School/Scubanuts flags) in our school space, we set about kitting up for the weekend. Our students were treated to one of Dennis' legendary orientations of Stoney, and then we set about the serious business of briefing for the dives. The fantastic weather now became a bit of a nuisance - far too hot and humid to be standing around in all our gear, we had to plan to enable us to jump in as soon as we could once fully suited. Stefan set off with Russell and Den for his three Deep Speciality Dives, whilst the open water students (Brian, Caroline and Kathryn) followed Alison and Jon into the water, with DM trainees Darren and Gavin in tow.
The vis on the shelf wasn't the best - but away from the busy areas it was a decent 4 to 6 metres. Our open water students weren't phased however performing their skills with ease. Dive 1 went to plan and we had an absolutely cracking Dive 2, checking out the small fry and a pike looking for his dinner in the cockpit. The dives completed we headed to the pub for a well earned drink and celebration of Stefan having achieved his Deep Speciality.
Day 2 the weather turned initially - but the early rain rapidly cleared to show us a bit of sun. We were joined today by Lucy for her Underwater Photography Speciality and hoped that the vis would allow plenty of shots of pike! Brian, Caroline and Kathryn were fired up to get back in the water for dives 3 and 4, so once their quick review was completed we headed in and knocked off their remaining skills on Dive 3. This left us with an easy dive to plan for number 4 and once done, three very happy, newly qualified Open Water Divers exited the water! A check with Russ showed that Lucy's photography speciality had also gone to plan, though unfortunately the vis hadn't enabled many pike to be spotted. But as we adjourned to the pub for drinks and paperwork we celebrated a successful end to a fantastic weekend! Roll on Capernwray for more fun next weekend!
Weekend Hall of Fame
We were blessed with some absolutely cracking weather and had three open water students, two specialities and both our Divemaster Trainees in the water. Having set up our gear (including our new Northampton Scuba School/Scubanuts flags) in our school space, we set about kitting up for the weekend. Our students were treated to one of Dennis' legendary orientations of Stoney, and then we set about the serious business of briefing for the dives. The fantastic weather now became a bit of a nuisance - far too hot and humid to be standing around in all our gear, we had to plan to enable us to jump in as soon as we could once fully suited. Stefan set off with Russell and Den for his three Deep Speciality Dives, whilst the open water students (Brian, Caroline and Kathryn) followed Alison and Jon into the water, with DM trainees Darren and Gavin in tow.
The vis on the shelf wasn't the best - but away from the busy areas it was a decent 4 to 6 metres. Our open water students weren't phased however performing their skills with ease. Dive 1 went to plan and we had an absolutely cracking Dive 2, checking out the small fry and a pike looking for his dinner in the cockpit. The dives completed we headed to the pub for a well earned drink and celebration of Stefan having achieved his Deep Speciality.
Day 2 the weather turned initially - but the early rain rapidly cleared to show us a bit of sun. We were joined today by Lucy for her Underwater Photography Speciality and hoped that the vis would allow plenty of shots of pike! Brian, Caroline and Kathryn were fired up to get back in the water for dives 3 and 4, so once their quick review was completed we headed in and knocked off their remaining skills on Dive 3. This left us with an easy dive to plan for number 4 and once done, three very happy, newly qualified Open Water Divers exited the water! A check with Russ showed that Lucy's photography speciality had also gone to plan, though unfortunately the vis hadn't enabled many pike to be spotted. But as we adjourned to the pub for drinks and paperwork we celebrated a successful end to a fantastic weekend! Roll on Capernwray for more fun next weekend!
Weekend Hall of Fame
- Open Water - Brian Van Niekerk
- Open Water - Caroline Freeman
- Open Water - Kathryn Hardy
- Deep Speciality - Stefan Linnell
- Underwater Digital Photography Speciality - Lucy Mercer
