Stoney Cove 28th and 29th
May had been a really busy month for open water activity and this weekend was our third in a row! We were therefore relieved to see a fine, warm, sunny morning on Saturday 28th when we took our next three Open Water Students into Stoney Cove. Brothers Ryan and Scott were joined by Ilja for their qualifying dives and the weather was a very positive start to the weekend.
Our first job on the Saturday was to sort the kit - once the guys had put their scuba units together and climbed into their wetsuits we briefed and set off for Dive 1. After some questionable vis in recent weeks we were pleased to find almost 8 metres on the shelf, and this promised to deliver an awesome experience for the students. Dive 1 passed without a hitch, closely followed by a successful Dive 2 with some perch and pike action. The students performed faultlessly all through and Ryan and Scott summed up the day with a fist bump and commented that was "sick" (roughly translated as cool in the Urban Dictionary!).
Our first job on the Saturday was to sort the kit - once the guys had put their scuba units together and climbed into their wetsuits we briefed and set off for Dive 1. After some questionable vis in recent weeks we were pleased to find almost 8 metres on the shelf, and this promised to deliver an awesome experience for the students. Dive 1 passed without a hitch, closely followed by a successful Dive 2 with some perch and pike action. The students performed faultlessly all through and Ryan and Scott summed up the day with a fist bump and commented that was "sick" (roughly translated as cool in the Urban Dictionary!).
Sunday arrived and Team Open Water were back, joined by Team Dry Suit to sign off some Specialities (Steph Adams and James MacLeod). Dive 3 passed smoothly for team Open Water (apart from a delay on the Giant Strides to allow a family of 11 ducklings to swim by!), except Instructor Jon Lyall reported an aggressive move by a pike! I asked Scott and Ryan did it really swim at him or did it just look at him - they laughed and confirmed the latter! In good spirits the boys set about planning their route for Dive 4 and once agreed we set off back into the water. Both lads had decided that they wanted to ride on Nessie so our tour under the blockhouse proved to be very amusing. Coupled with the Ilja turning into a pike whisperer and managing to stroke a pike under the chin, this was a memorable dive and three very pleased, newly qualified Open Water Divers exited the water.
Team Dry Suit meanwhile, were also progressing successfully - Dive 1 done they headed back in the water for Dive 2 to complete all the required skills. These were performed with ease and kit cleared up and everyone changed we headed off to the pub for some well earned refreshments and certificate presentations. All three of our Open Water students were on a real high and I'm pleased to report that since completing their Open Water Ryan and Scott have also completed their first UK sea dive in Devon! It's been really satisfying to see Ryan, Scott and last week Lily complete their Junior Open Water courses and become the divers of the future! Go guys!
Weekend Hall of Fame
Junior Open Water - Scott Taylor
Junior Open Water - Ryan Taylor
Open Water - Ilja Gnennijs
Dry Suit Speciality - Steph Adams
Dry Suit Speciality - James MacLeod
Team Dry Suit meanwhile, were also progressing successfully - Dive 1 done they headed back in the water for Dive 2 to complete all the required skills. These were performed with ease and kit cleared up and everyone changed we headed off to the pub for some well earned refreshments and certificate presentations. All three of our Open Water students were on a real high and I'm pleased to report that since completing their Open Water Ryan and Scott have also completed their first UK sea dive in Devon! It's been really satisfying to see Ryan, Scott and last week Lily complete their Junior Open Water courses and become the divers of the future! Go guys!
Weekend Hall of Fame
Junior Open Water - Scott Taylor
Junior Open Water - Ryan Taylor
Open Water - Ilja Gnennijs
Dry Suit Speciality - Steph Adams
Dry Suit Speciality - James MacLeod
