General Diving News

ScotSAC News

Rewarding our volunteers In the January / February 2010 issue of Scottish Diver we heard about the 6 deserving recipients of the Suunto ScotSAC Diver award for volunteering. Suunto and ScotSAC have teamed up once again to offer this reward and recognition package to our volunteers. The Suunto ScotSAC Diver Award 2009 is designed to reward an individual’s exceptional contribution to our sport. This contribution could be effort that has encouraged new people to become divers, encouraged existing divers to complete further development training, the organisation of dive expeditions, or some other activity that has raised the profile of diving in a positive way. It may also be an Instructor who has encouraged and developed new divers and delivered training.

There will be 6 prizes of Suunto D6 watch size dive computers with PC interface, and an embroidered SSAC jacket. A prize package worth £600 each. Judging will be by a panel consisting of the Chairman, National Diving Officer and General Manager of Suunto Diving UK.

If you know of any individual within ScotSAC who has made a significant contribution to the sport, in any way, then now is your chance to nominate them for recognition. All Nominees must hold current membership of the Scottish Sub Aqua Club and may not be current members of the Board or National Diving Council. The closing date for nominations is 31st August 2010 with the winners being announced and prizes presented at the ScotSAC Dive Conference in November 2010. Nomination forms are available here. 

At the 2009 AGM a change was made to the ScotSAC Byelaws moving the date of the Annual General Meeting, which must now take place by 31st October each year. The date has now been set and the 2010 AGM will take place in Caledonia House, Edinburgh on Wednesday 22nd September from 7pm. Further details, meeting calling notice and proxy forms will be issued to all members with our September issue of Scottish Diver. The 2010 AGM will see the introduction of new proxy voting arrangements as required by the new Companies Act.

Under our current byelaws, nominations for Directors on the Board and Members of the National Diving Council must be submitted by 30th November prior to the AGM.  However, given the AGM date change for this year it was not possible to invite nominations so far in advance of the AGM.

Nominations are now invited for Directors on the Board to fill the following vacancies:
·         Secretary  
·         Director – 2 posts
.         Chairman

The following Board members remain in post for the duration of their appointment

Jim Anderson (Treasurer), Adrian Thomas (Director), Iain Graham (Director), Douglas Forman (Director)     

In addition to the above posts, nominations are invited for six positions of National Diving Council Members. NDC Members are elected for one year.

Job Descriptions for the posts can be found on the about us page on www.scotsac.com and clearly define the duties and requirements of the Directors. Role Descriptions. Existing post holders. This ensures any nominee is aware of their duties prior to nomination and of the skills/experience necessary to fulfil the role.

A nomination form is available on our website or by contacting ScotSAC Headquarters. All nominations for Directors or NDC Members and any resolutions for changes to the Byelaws must be received at ScotSAC HQ by 31st July 2010. In the event of any multiple nominations, ballot papers and personal statements will be circulated along with AGM notice. Please refer to Byelaw 4.5 for further information.

PRESS RELEASE – 28 MAY 2010

The quest is on to find the UK’s top underwater photographer. The title will be decided at the fourth annual British Splash-In Championship being staged at Plymouth on Saturday, July 3, 2010 by the British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP). The winner of the title – chosen by an independent panel of judges - will be jetting off to the Maldives with a companion to enjoy a fabulous one-week liveaboard trip donated Maldives Scuba Tours.

Said BSoUP chairman J.P. Trenque: “The event is open to any qualified diver or snorkeller and we hope that users of compact cameras as well as those with more advanced equipment will test their skills in this unique way. The winners of the one-day shootouts staged by the various local underwater photographic groups in the UK are also invited to take part.

“All facing the same conditions underwater and working within a specific timeframe in the vicinity of Plymouth on that particular day, the battle is to produce the one image that is judged to be the best and worthy of the title.”

In addition to the grand prize, other generous sponsorship for the Splash-In is being provided by Olympus Cameras, AP Valves, Ocean Visions, New Holland Publishers and Sport Diver magazine.

Full details of the event can be found on BSoUP’s web site: http://www.bsoup.org/splash.php

For further information:

J.P. Trenque (BSoUP Chairman), 0776 787 4046
Martha Tressler (Splash-in organiser) 0776 460 3657
Brian Pitkin (BSoUP President) 020 8668 8168

Note for editors:

Formed in 1967, the British Society of Underwater Photographers is the largest such society in the UK and also one of the oldest in the world. It was formed to create a forum for the exchange of ideas and information about underwater photography as well as to put the activity on the map. Today the Society has some 300 members ranging from divers who have just started to take photographs underwater to world-renowned professionals.

Brian Pitkin MSc, DIC, PhD
12 Coningsby Road, South Croydon, CR2 6QP, United Kingdom, e-mail: brian.pitkin@virgin.net, tel. 020 8668 8168
British Society of Underwater Photographers
http://www.bsoup.org

Following reports of a significant incident involving unidentified divers in the Loch Fyne area, where local residents were subjected to alleged verbal abuse by divers, ScotSAC wishes to remind all divers of their rights and responsibilities under the Land Reform Act.  The Land Reform Scotland Act 2003 gives the public Rights of Responsible non-motorised Access to land and water for recreation and passage.  In the event that behaviour is deemed irresponsible then the individual(s) concerned loses their right of access. 

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code guides both access takers and land managers regarding responsible behaviour.  Last year, ScotSAC published Land Access Guidance for Divers. The problem for all access takers including divers, walkers, cyclists, horse riders, and canoeists is that the provision of parking in many places is inadequate for the demand.  This obviously can lead to conflict with local residents and other road users.   

ScotSAC considers irresponsible access unacceptable, to the detriment of the sport and any of our members demonstrating such behaviour may face disciplinary action.   

Divers are reminded to:

• Park responsibly - ensuring that you are not obstructing other road users, ensure that you are parked in a public car park or with the landowner's permission. Also ensure that equipment or divers do not obstruct access roads.
• Ensure that local residents are treated with courtesy, as you would wish to be treated.
• Where possible avoid causing offence when going to the toilet, if unavoidable, and ensure that you are discrete, bag and remove all solid waste immediately.  Above all do not use gardens or road verges.  If you would object outside your house, so will local residents.
• Ensure that all changing is discrete and out of public sight.
• Organised groups may wish to consider providing a portable chemical toilet and a small toilet tent of the sort used when camping for their members to use at dives.
• If you see other divers behaving irresponsibly have a friendly chat - after all they could be losing you access to the dives you enjoy.
• Groups might also want to knock on the door of any nearby house and politely ask permission to park or at least ask where they should park to cause least obstruction. 

Just a piece of info for members, Eyemouth harbour trust have put a £3 charge (per car) on the access road up the side of the harbour leading to greenend gulley, (also known as gunsgreen),

David Carruthers B.D.O.  Musselburgh sub-aqua club.

Are you aware of the threat from a new invasive species, a carpet sea squirt, which may have significant impacts on our boating environment.

Please print off the poster, take note of the action number,
and put it up in your clubhouse.

A3 Poster PDF

ScotSAC is pleased to announce the 2010 inter-branch photography workshop trip to the Red Sea.

The concept is simple: we are inviting ScotSAC members from all branches, with an interest in underwater phtography, to participate in a one-week diving trip to the Red Sea in the autumn/winter of 2010. We aim to have no more than 2 qualified divers from each ScotSAC branch so that a good mix of people will be making some new friends. We aim to have a range of talents from photographic experts to relative newcomers and we are hopeful that the old hands will share their talent and teach the novices a bit about photographing wildlife underwater. We will not be taking inexperienced divers unless they have a suitably experienced buddy who is prepared to dive with them throughout the trip.

We have not yet fixed the dates(s) or the destination and we don't know which travel company we will go with. This is deliberate, we want to see what people want to do, particularly the experts, and we already have enough interest that we may have two or more separate trips, one on a liveaboard and one in a shore camp. Whatever happens, we plan to fill a boat or a camp (or both) so that it's 100% ScotSAC and 100% photographers! We haven't given much thought to non-diving partners yet but we'll probably take snorkelers so there's a work-around.

Once we have a group of interested divers we'll try to work out some dates and destinations to suit the group and only then will you be asked to make a committment and pay your deposit. We plan to fly from Glasgow or Edinburgh and I'd expect the total cost to be under £1000. You provide the photographic kit and dive gear (except weights and bottles).

So if you're interested, the first step is to register your interest
(remember - first come first served) - Register Online at no cost.
(If you have questions, you can ask them in the registration form)

Adrian Thomas, ScotSAC.

Photos courtesy of Keith Waugh

ScotSAC needs volunteers to help run Heart Start, Oxygen Administration and diver First Aid courses.

You do not necessarily have to be an Instructor – what we’re looking for is people who either have the knowledge, or who are willing to gain it. You should be able to communicate with others.

Assessment and certification will be given as you help out our retiring Course Director, Bert Smith, with courses this year.

The aim is to recruit a pool of people who are able to deliver the courses, on demand, on a local level to members of individual Branches.

Don’t be shy – contact Kate at HQ, who will collate the responses from what should be a dynamic and wide-ranging team.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Nigel Spike, NDO.

Please find attached details of an event which we believe may be of interest to you.  The event is completely FREE of charge but places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.  If there are other operators within your acquaintance would find this of interest, we would be grateful if you would pass on the details. We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Suzanne Kilbane, SGP Administrator, Battleby, Redgorton, Perth
DD: 01738 458556       email: suzanne.kilbane@snh.gov.uk

Once again ScotSAC has great pleasure in announcing the recipients of this year’s Suunto Awards. For those of you who are not aware of this award we were approached two years ago by John Sinclair, general manager of Suunto UK with a proposal to award six Suunto D6 computers to branch members who, in the opinion of their fellow branch members have made a significant contribution to the branch and helped promote diving in general. Suunto were one of the first companies to produce computers for diving and have always been at the forefront of computer technology. They have introduced many innovations such as mandatory safety stops and their computers give the user personal options to introduce a more conservative algorithm. However all these innovations have diver safety in mind.  This year there were 11 submissions and the selection panel had a difficult job deciding on who the recipients would be. All entrants would have been worthy of the award and those who were unsuccessful this year can be nominated by their branch next year. Suunto have very kindly agreed to sponsor the award for a third year and ScotSAC are proud and delighted to have Suunto recognise our hard working dedicated members with this valuable award. Details of how to enter wil be posted on the website and in this magazine early next year. Members of the Board and NDC are not eligible for the award. Here are this years winners with a short extract from their branch submission.

Craig Robertson, Perth Branch
Craig has held Perth Sub Aqua Club together through changing times. He is always enthusiastic and this transfers to the members of the club. Not only involved in the training and planning dives he has been a major force behind the club’s fundraising events this year and also organised the club’s 45th anniversary “do” at the end of last year.

Alistair Ried, Kilmarnock Branch
After completion of Sport Diver qualification Alistiar volunteered to become equipment officer. His next position was Secretary and has continued to do an excellent job. His enthusiasm for diving winter or summer and especially training new members has if anything become greater. Alistair is the guy who holds the summer barbeques at his home so that “the lads and lasses can have a get together”. He keeps the rib at his home and maintains it and any other piece of kit that needs attention. He never misses an opportunity to put up posters to attract new members, he is a credit to Scottish Diving.

Pepijn Van de Ven, University of Limerick Branch
Pep is always involved in our club’s activities. From attending the UL Clubs and Societies meetings every fortnight to servicing regs, he relentlessly gives up his spare time to ensure our branch of ScotSAC continues to thrive. This has amounted in ULSAC being voted among our peers as University of Limerick Club of the Year 2008/2009 ; no mean feat when there are 33 other clubs active on campus vying for this prestigious title.

James Anthony, West Lothian Branch
Time and again he sacrifices his own diving in order to lead a nervous newcomer on their first tentative steps into our fantastic sport, often trading his entire Sunday for only a few brief minutes underwater as an anxious student expends their air in double quick time. Not content with the generosity he already displays as a branch instructor, James also shoulders the critical responsibility of branch equipment officer. James is the absolute epitome of “giving something back”. Without the selfless generosity of volunteers like him the club system upon which ScotSAC is founded would be much the poorer.

Dorothy Kisielewski, Stirling University Branch
Dorothy, or Dot to all who know her, has been diving with Stirling University club since she was at the university herself 14 or 15 years ago. She has progressed from trainee to master diver to instructor. She happily gives up her Friday nights and weekends to train our trainees all year round, whatever the weather. She can always be relied upon. She helps and supports the club in any way she can and has just been unanimously voted in as BDO by the students. Dot is a grandmother and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, yet that does not stop her from diving any chance she gets. Her enjoyment and love of diving is infectious; you are guaranteed to have lots of laughs and a great time diving with her.

Richard Stow, Carlisle Branch
As our longest serving member Richard’s enthusiasm and unstinting support for the club in good and not so good times has been an example to us all.In his 45 years of membership he has held just about every post on the committee, some more than once. Over the years he has acted as mentor to numerous trainee Branch Instructors, helping and guiding them to become an asset to the branch and to ScotSAC. Branch Diving Officers both past and present gratefully acknowledge the encouragement and support given to them by Richard.

Congratulations to Sandy McPherson who has recently been appointed to the Board of ScotSAC. Sandy led the team who ran the very successful ScotSAC Conference in Eyemouth in Novermber 09. We'll let Sandy tell you a bit about himself:

I had my first dive when on holiday in Egypt in 1995. It was at Nama Bay where a sun bleached South African girl (the instructor) controlled my buoyancy, while leading me round the Near Garden dive site showed me a big shoal of glass fish. In my excitement I was down to 50 bar in 20 minutes! I started a PADI open water course the next day intending to dive when I went on holiday abroad but I knew then I couldn't wait a year before my next fix.

Shortly after returning home to Musselburgh I noticed that a new club had started. I joined and thanks to one particularly enthusiastic instructor was soon training 3 days a week. I found I enjoyed diving in Scotland just as much as the Red Sea and soon I spent my spare time and cash on my new hobby. I became a BI and then the club expedition organiser. MUSAC was founded by a group of enthusiastic and experienced instructors so there has always been a strong training culture there. It rubbed off on me because I love teaching and introducing others to the sea. I enjoy photography and bought a camera before a dry suit. My first 90 or so dives were done in a wet suit which wasn't a big deal then as we all did our training in wet suits anyway. I cant get into my old 6mm wetsuit now as it has shrunk! (you sure that's the reason? - Ed.)

I very rarely have a bad dive and it is a great escape. I never get tired watching large shoals of fish and it is particularly exciting finding some on a wreck.  My favourite sites are in the Sound of Mull and Scapa Flow. I am always looking forward to going back to somewhere like the Red Sea or the Maldives, however Scotland's secrets seem to take a bit more effort to find which makes them more valuable to me when I do see something special. Also it doesn't involve airports! How good does it feel to unload you're heavy kit from car onto a liveaboard at the start of a trip to St-Kilda? Scotland is beautiful and there is no better place to explore it than from the deck of a boat!

Kate Jenkins has joined ScotSAC as Administration and Finance Officer. Kate takes over from Huw Thomas, who was taken on temporarily to help us through the transition from Glasgow to Edinburgh. Kate will be in the office full time except for holidays and meetings.

Email is probably the most reliable means of contact - hq@scotsac.com or telephone 0131 625 4404 during office hours.