This time last year, eight intrepid divers got ready to make their way down to the Dorset coast, to a small fishing village called West Bay (site of the TV series Broadchurch). The plan was to dive some of the well-known reefs in the area, searching for pink sea fans, and the elusive sunset cup coral. Sadly, the weather gods were not with us and the trip was cancelled, so we found ourselves preparing once again for a second attempt this year.
Plymouth – May 2017
It was a very hot & sunny Friday afternoon when we left Putney to drive the 4-5 hours to Plymouth – sadly that was the last we would see of the good weather. Thunderstorms & epic lightning kept some of us awake on Friday night, but we all made it down to the boat after breakfast on Saturday morning. We were joined by Jules from Clifton BSAC on the Aquanaut boat ‘Outcast’ skippered by Dougie.
Galapagos – May 2017
….. So let’s start with a question – why would 4 of our members agree to suffer spending a day in 3 different planes flying across the globe, in addition spending another day sailing in not so calm ocean? – well this time the “Darwin and Wolf” is the right answer. Yes we (Iris, Leszek, Tim and me – Michal) fulfil our-self (yet another) diving dream and went for a trip to these northern / remote islands of Galapagos group… so what have we seen ….
Continue reading Galapagos – May 2017
Pool games – April 2017
Let the hunger games begin…
Ok, so the annual Putney SAC pool games didn’t herald the fall of a despotic regime and the transformation of society, but the stakes were still pretty high. Pride and all that… and some Quality Street for the winners which I totally forgot to buy. Woops. If I were a gamemaker I’m pretty sure I’d be shot. Luckily, our club members are a little more forgiving (I think…).
We had two teams of three competing in this year’s games – longstanding members (Team A) vs. less longstanding members (Team B). I don’t think I’m allowed to say oldies vs. youngsters but oh look, I just did. The games consist of four challenges which are both demanding (for the participants) and hilarious (for the bystanders). Continue reading Pool games – April 2017
Newhaven – March 2017
They say the early bird catches the worm, but I’m not sure the same can be said for the early diver getting the good conditions. Not for us anyway. Starting at the crack of dawn (my first sunrise of 2017 I think), 4 brave divers and a kind cox made their way to Newhaven for the first UK ocean dive of the year.
Boat handling course
Second only to diving off it, the most fun you can have with the club boat is driving it (is that the right choice of verb?). With that in mind, 9 brave PSAC souls made the decision to take the BSAC Boat Handling Course to increase their usefulness to the club and give them the freedom to take the boat out on the open waves. The course is split into two sections, a day of classroom teaching, and a day of hands on teaching on the Thames.
Christmas Dinner
As the year begins to draw to a close, members of Putney SAC, old and new, and those without whom many of us wouldn’t be able to dive (the understanding spouse) gathered for the annual Christmas dinner to partake in the two most important activities of a dive club other than diving: eating, and talking about diving!
It was great to see so many new members there – even some who haven’t completed their first course yet. 2017 looks like it’s going to be a great year for the club and with a packed dive and social calendar, there’s plenty of opportunity to get involved.
Happy Christmas to you all, and see you in the new year if not before!
Photographer of the Year 2016
Congratulations to our photo award winners. As voted by the club members at the AGM this week, the best photos are as follows.
Photographer of the Year 2016 (submissions)
Our members have submitted their best shots, drum roll please….! Continue reading Photographer of the Year 2016 (submissions)
Lundy
Our destination: Lundy, an island in the Bristol Channel. The trip: almost a year in the planning. The anticipation: high. Lundy has reefs, wrecks, seals, and that relaxed island life. What more could you ask for? Well, some decent weather and a working compressor would be a start.