Trip Report: Oxford BSAC snorkeling joined together with Dorking Snorkeling Club for a day on Pagham beach on 26th June 2011.
This expedition to Lyme Regis was organised by John Waterhouse.
We were staying in a large house at Axminster and had both the club boats ISIS and Gemini to dive from. There were plans to also do some snorkeling, but this did not occur.
Dive OXON is a multi club diving event.
This year the Oxford branch took along there brand new drive boat ISIS.
The plan for the Oxford branch was to dive using three (yes 3) dive boats.
During April, Oxford BSAC, held a try dive and try snorkel day at Hinksey swimming pool in Oxford.
With over 100 free try dives and try snorkels taking place throughout the day, the club quickly realised how in need of new equipment they were.
Upon hearing this, a local business (who wished to remain anonymous) came to the rescue and donated £400 of snorkelling kits to the club.
Throughout the year Oxford BSAC has a number of Try-snorkel nights, inviting local community groups to come and have a go at snorkelling. Some of these evenings attract up to 18 snorkellers in the pool at the same time so donations like these are gratefully received.
On 11th June 2011, Blenheim Palace hosted the 2011 Junior Regatta. Oxford BSAC provided two of its boats and crew for the event. Both Isis, the small diving boat and Naiad, the Sport England Lottery grant funded snorkeling RIB were kept active throughout the day.
One boat was used to cover the starting line, while the second boat followed alongside each race in case any of the children fell overboard.
It is great to help out on days like these that would not be able to take place without safety cover. It also gave Oxford BSAC chance to have a stand at the busy event, meeting many people who already have an interest in water sports.
Thanks to Annie, our chief fundraiser who ran a treasure hunt offering a try-dive as first prize and a lolly game for the children.
Last summer Oxford BSAC helped out at a Multiple Sclerosis Pirate Day, where money was raised for the charity by people dressing up and walking the plank into the River Thames. Divers swept the river bed the day before for dangerous objects and provided safety boat cover on the day.
A big thank you to everyone who helped.
Our next snorkelling trip is to Pagham, West Sussex on Sunday 26th June 2011.
Places are limited and must be booked.
{jcomments on}Friday 3rd June saw the first open water outing this year for 10 snorkellers from Oxford BSAC.
A glance at the TV listings for this weekend should turn your attention to the new series set to cause an explosion of interest in UK diving.
Britain’s Secret Seas is presented by BSAC scuba diver Paul Rose and his team, and the first episode, ‘Giants of the West’ – will be televised this Sunday, BBC2 at 8pm.
The website for the show says “Featuring glorious underwater photography, this HD series reveals our native waters as being every bit as dramatic, colourful, and surprising as the oceans of the world” – we can hardly wait….. and if anyone else feels the same they can watch preview clips on the Britain’s Secret Seas website.
