For any keen u/w photographers, Martin and Alex have announced ’Martin Edge & Alex Mustard On Underwater Photography’, a day of advice, insights and ideas. London, 6th November. Tickets on sale now, just £20.  You can get more information about it here: http://www.amustard.com/download/UWPday.pdf and buy a ticket here: http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/store/product_info.php?cPath=209&products_id=1045.

Alex is one of the best u/w photographers in the world right now (quote from Martin Edge introducing him at ‘Visions in the Sea’ in November 2009 – he may have said ‘probably the best’!) and  Martin is one of the best teachers – and a great photographer too.  Location is Imperial College, South Kensington.  Tickets are selling fast, so if you’re interested I recommend you book soon.

S/Y Indo Siren

I’m organising a Liveaboard trip to Raja Ampat in Indonesia, for January 14th-24th 2012.   Yes, it’s a long way in advance, but (1) the Liveaboard is pretty much booked up until then, and (2) it’s not going to be a cheap trip, so it gives people time to save!

Raja Ampat is well-known as being the epicentre of marine biodiversity:  over 550 Coral species; over 1100 fish species – and that’s before you even get to nudibranchs, starfish, molluscs, etc.!

You can expect to see everything from tiny anemone crabs and nudibranchs, to Wobbegong sharks and Manta Rays.  With luck, we might also see the Epaulette Shark, which “runs” away along the sea bed when startled!

The trip is for experienced divers – the currents can be unpredictable at times, and visibility can sometimes be less than you might expect in tropical waters.  We’ll also be over 500 miles from the nearest Hyperbaric Chamber – and it’s mostly sea in between.   Although we’ll spend 10 nights on board the boat, the area is so remote that it’s likely we’ll need to stopover at least once, and possibly twice, in each direction, so this is really at least a 2-week trip.  There are options to extend the trip, either at a Raja Ampat resort, or in Manado or Bali.

At present, I have three GLUG members (plus me) signed up for the trip, plus two from NCRD (Northern California Rainbow Divers) (and three more from NCRD interested).  The boat takes a total of 16 divers.

Hello all,

Welcome to the GLUG training bulletin for May 2010

Just wanted to update you all with what’s going on!!! I am planning to run a series of courses designed to improve your diving over the next few months.

Some upcoming hilights!

Nitrox (EANx) Diver (June 2010)

Scuba Review/Refresher Course (various times in April/May 2010)

Advanced Open Water (Aug 2010)

Rescue Diver (£299/£399 with First Aid Training)

Dry Suit Diver (July 2010)

Deep Diver (Aug 2010)

Wreck Diver (Aug 2010)

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If you or anyone you know is interested in any training from absolute beginner to instructor, or interested in technical diving including rebreathers, we can get you trained and diving!!!

All courses can be arranged, if you are unable to make a date, or I haven’t mentioned a course, then please get in touch and we can arrange one. Training can be arranged in the UK or abroad.

http://www.glug.co.uk/training/padi

Don’t forget club night, 1st Tuesday of every month at the Phoenix Club on Charing Cross Road.

Please contact me on: 

or

Thanks very much,

Ian

GLUG Training Coordinator

www.pathfinderdiving.co.uk

The latest issue of UWP mag is available at www.uwpmag.com.  Although it is aimed at underwater photographers, it also has articles on dive destinations and other issues. 

The May/June issue includes an article I have written about my trip to the Philippines over Xmas/New Year (with Huw – another gluggie).  Our trip was with the same dive company that Neil and others travelled with in February (and was partly inspired by that trip…)

You have to register to download it, but you will not get any spam etc. - it’s entirely for advertising purposes.  (Each issue gets over 11,00 downloads – and many more read it online.)

Enjoy!

Alan

I still have one place available on the forthcoming Weymouth weekend.  We’re using the very spacious boat Tango and staying at the Alverstoke Guesthouse nearby.  Suitable for BSAC Sports/PADI Advanced upwards with UK diving experience and a drysuit.  We’ll be starting off at around 27-30m as most of us haven’t dived yet this year.  Please let me know asap if you’re interested.

I’m running a non-GLUG dive on the last bank holiday in May.  We’re using the Old Harbour Dive Centre’s boat – XDream – and accommodation is at Margaret Smith’s house nearby – it’s been converted to take 12 divers in comfort.  Suitable for PADI Advanced/BSAC Sports upwards, but must have UK dive experience and a drysuit.  Max depth 35m, but we’ll be starting off shallower than that.  3 places available.  Total fee which includes 3 days’ diving (& light lunch), 3 nights’ B&B and 2 dinners is £225 – a bargain!

Please contact me if interested or if you know of anyone who might be.  Mostly GLUG divers on board at the moment.

if anyone is interested they need to book on the trip. with only 3 people so far, we need @ least 8, and so  i will have to cancel by the end of may if there arn’t enougth, so i can get my deposit back