Mar
8
2010
While Saturday’s night dive may have taken centre stage this weekend, some excellent ‘day diving’ also featured. The calm seas and moderate winds allowed us travel to some of our most westerly dive sites; including Carrigaddy Beag and Thany Beag. Saturday morning saw gin clear viz of fifteen metres. This decreased slightly over the weekend, with the early arrival of some plankton; a sure sign that the sea has awoken from slumber and repopulating with marine life. Spring has truly sprung folks!
Photo from Sunday morning dive, by Patrick Rooney
If that wasn’t enough, we also trained four new Drysuit Divers on Saturday. Congratulations to Kelly Bowdler, Les Zarebinski, Paul Brennan and Brendan Murray.
Saturday's Drysuit Specialty
Divers at Carrigaddy, Sunday afternoon
Mar
8
2010
Our visiting divers continue to benefit from awesome weather and even better diving. Yes, the water is a chilly 7oC but it is certainly worth wrapping up, and experiencing some of the best early season diving on record. This weekend, the dive centre played host to crowds of enthusiastic divers, from all corners of the country. Most undertook three dives on Saturday, including our ‘Night Boat Dive’. The boat departed the dive centre just after half six on Saturday, heading for the Julia T. Twelve chatty divers, two excited crew members, and a supply of energy-giving Skittles ensured a memorable journey outwards. Darkness fell shortly after seven o’clock; soon after our first two buddy pairs entered the water. Divers entered the water at intervals to avoid overcrowding on the wreck, and on the ascent/descent line. The final two divers entered the water just before eight o’clock. The dive was truly spectacular, and had a sense of magic about it. Below is an email we just received from Kieran Brady, one of Saturday night’s divers:
“I have to say that was one of the best dives I have ever done! The Julia T was full of mystery on Saturday night… the view from afar of the beams of light and suspended divers gently hovering around the silent, still boat is one that will live in the memory for a long long time….
Well done to all of you for a truly fantastic dive.”
Nicely said!
Mar
1
2010
The clock is ticking on our PADI Assistant Instructor course, starting on Tuesday 4th May. Anyone looking to start their PADI Instructor training with us in May should look at obtaining their Crewpack as soon as possible. Cillian Gray, PADI Course Director, recommends a minimum of 6 weeks’ preparation in advance of the course. Your Crewpack contains archived ‘Undersea Journal’ articles and knowledge reviews, which need to be completed before the course. In addition, you will need to review the Dive Theory subjects, previously completed as part of the Divemaster programme. So plenty for you to be getting on with! Get started by calling us today with your deposit and payment for the Crewpack. More information is available from our PADI Instructor page.
Feb
28
2010
While Ireland tackled England on the pitch yesterday, twelve fearless divers answered Ireland’s call and faced the indomitable Streamstown Drift. This month’s squad was made up of seasoned drifters and some newcomers to the game. Fast play and swift moves were the order of the day, with Streamstown rejoicing in its reputation for speed. A fine day and weeks of settled weather ensured great water clarity in Streamstown Bay. Our plan allowed for a “game of two halves” (nonsensical phrase!); air and tide generally permits two runs at the drift dive. However, yesterday saw a handful of our team desert at half-time, in a bid to view the rugby game. Those who played on were rewarded with a second whimsical underwater journey and post game snacks of hot chocolate, and Creme Eggs.
The Team; 27th February 2010
This month’s squad was managed by Cillian Gray and included; James Moloney (definitely Drift Captain at this stage!), Lila Radola, Adrian Breslin, Nina Forsman, Cormac Logan, Fiona Logan, Rob Hunter, Hadrian Fawsitt, Terry O’ Brien, Ciaran Mooney, Keith Curley and Tracy Walsh. Well played guys n’ gals, and well done Ireland.
Feb
26
2010
SCUBAPRO Days 2010 at Scubadive West
Feb
26
2010
Browsing the internet this morning on a completely unrelated matter, I stumbled upon this funny short story. Written by Flann O’Brien, it features a diver and an octopus as its protagonists. Follow the link for something entertaining to read with your morning coffee. Enjoy!
Feb
25
2010
We have had one very last minute cancellation on Saturday afternoon’s Streamstown Drift Dive. Call us today if you wish to book your place, 095 43922.
Feb
22
2010
An unabating easterly airflow keeps air temperatures cold but aids good viz. Take a look at the photo below and you will see a snowy Maol Reidh mountain, and a boat of grinning divers. This photo was taken after Sunday afternoon’s dive on the Julia T. Coats and hot chocolate were called for upon surfacing, but there was no denying the great quality diving on offer.
After the dive, Sunday 21st Feb
We had a mix of students certifying this weekend. Congratulations to James Flynn who completed his Openwater Diver course, to Noel Tierney who undertook his Drysuit Specialty and to TJ Redmond, newly qualified Advanced Openwater diver.
The weather forecast for the week promises cold but dry conditions. We are expecting next weekend to be another great one for diving, so give us a call on 095 43922 with your booking.
Feb
18
2010
We would love you to share this with as many of your non-diving friends as possible. So get on to your Facebook, start Tweeting and texting, and let’s make this one of the biggest competitions of the year.
Scubadive West, the West’s largest PADI Dive School is offering one lucky person the chance to train for FREE as a scubadiver through their ‘Make Me a Diver’ competition. The winner will receive a complete PADI Openwater Diver course, valued at approximately €600 (including 5 days’ tuition, training materials, dive gear rental and certification). Not only this, but our good friends in The Bard’s Den in Letterfrack will provide accommodation and food for this lucky person, for the duration of this five day course.
What do you have to do to be in with a chance to win? Simply, write to us and tell us why you should become Ireland’s newest scubadiver. Entries to be no less than a half-page and no more than a page in length. Closing date for entries is 1st April 2010. You can email your entry to info@scubadivewest.com (subject line ‘Make Me a Diver’), or post to ‘Make Me a Diver Competition’, Scubadive West, Renvyle, Co.Galway. Further competition details are available from our ‘Make Me A Diver‘ page.
See yourself as the next Jacques Cousteau? Picture yourself exiting the ocean James Bond style? Or fancy yourself collaborating with David Attenborough? Well, get writing and put a smile on our faces with your prose.
Feb
14
2010
The incredible weather continues, providing our divers with spectacular conditions over the weekend. Visibility of twenty metres was easily achieved on Thany Beag and the Gaddys. Check out Patrick Rooney’s photos from Saturday on Carrigaddy; a wall dive approximately fifteen minutes from the dive centre.
Jennifer Kealy explores Carrigaddy wall
Jewel Aenomes on Carrigaddy
Saturday also saw our first Drysuit Specialty for 2010 take place. Congratulations to Mike Barry, Matthieu Bentot and John Brady.
While on Sunday, Giles Nalty and Matthieu completed their Nitrox Specialty.
Julia T, Sunday 14th February (photo by Cillian Gray)
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