would be good to go along with someone/or more?

Get your PADI scuba certification. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to scuba dive, this is where it starts. The PADI Open Water Diver course is the world’s most popular scuba course, and has introduced millions of people to the adventurous diving lifestyle.

This is the first part, the referral, it covers the theory and pool sessions, you can then go on to finish your course abroad or here in the UK. This course is filling up, so please be quick. I am scheduling others though, so get in touch!

Thanks,

Ian

On Saturday 20th of March we will be holding a BBQ (weather permitting) in Streatham!  Those of you that have been before will know the drill, but I’ll reiterate in any case!

Bring food for yourself, and food to share (not loads – as last time we ended up with tons of left over food)!  Please also bring something to drink – this could either be just for yourself, or to share around.

If you could register your interest, please do, and we’ll try to co-ordinate things!  http://www.glug.co.uk/trips-page

Fingers crossed for good weather!

Doug

I was thinking of making club nights more informative, and bringing in guests speakers to do presentations, offer tips, answer questions etc. First up I have a professional underwater photographer/videographer who has worked with monty halls, to name but one in his career, who will come in an talk all things cameras/videos etc.

What do people think? Good idea? If so, what would people like know about for example UW photo’s, decompression theory, tech diving, rebreathers? You let me know, its your club.

Thanks

Ian

Training Coordinator

I am arranging a scuba review to be done in the next couple of weeks, if you feel you need a tune up ready for the diving season, or if you are about to head off abroad, then please get in touch asap. I have a couple of places left.

Thanks very much,

Ian.

GLUG Training

With only 6 months left to another fabulous Red Sea trip, there are only 6 places left. To date, I have kept this trip closed to GLUG UK members but will now be opening it up to our affiliate clubs and general friends. I notice some of you have registered interest but have not actually reserved a place with Oonasdivers. To ensure that you secure a place, you may want to book a place as soon as possible.

For further information, please go to the Events Page.

Charlie

Due to mix-up in their bookings, Ocean Optics have some spaces on their Underwater Photography Stage on January 31st (This Sunday) , which they’re offering to us at a discount.  The UW Photography Stage is a large tank, normally used for film making, into which Ocean Optics place an artificial reef, including all sorts of little critters to photograph, as well as a small boat, jellyfish, a Hammerhead shark, etc.  It’s ideal for divers wanting to practice their photography skills.

Normally, they charge £45 for a two-hour session in the tank, but if we can get four divers together, the group will pay just £100 – that’s £25 each.

I’m quite keen to get in some extra practice before my Philippines trip, so if you’d like to join me, and take advantage of this great discount, please give me a call ASAP (07595 465265) – I’m sure Ocean Optics will be trying to sell the spaces to others too.  If you live in London, I can also give you transport to get there.

Neil.

It’s an AP Valves Buddy Ranger (XL size).  It’s served me very well for several years, but is still in very good condition.

It’s currently got an Air2 on it – but I will be keeping that.  (I should be able to swap it for the Inflator on the new BC, but that’s not guaranteed – you might have to buy a new inflator).

The colour is bright yellow, as pictured – and it’s not faded, despite quite a few years of use.  It has a pull dump on the right shoulder and the bottom left of the back (but not an inflator dump).

There are two integrated Weight pockets (you can see the handles in the picture), holding up to 5Kg each, but despite this, there is still plenty of pocket space for slates, camera, or even a small reel and SMB (one of the things I really like about Buddy BCs is the huge pockets!).

There are also two shoulder pockets for trim weights, which is great for keeping you horizontal in the water.

The BC does not come with the emergency bottle that’s an optional extra on Buddy BCs, but I believe one could be fitted easily (in fact, I think I have the one that came with the Buddy Commando I had originally – would need servicing though).

For a review of this BCD, click here.

It’s a great BC for beginners, and still has many years use left in it.

If you’re interested, leave a comment below, or give me a call on 07595 465265.  All reasonable offers considered.

Divetime (free)

Lists over 11,500 Dive sites worldwide, using a Map Interface.  Information is basic, but enough to help you plan.    There’s also a website at http://www.divetime.com/

iDive Nitrox (59p)

App for calculating Max Depth, Equivalent Air Depth, etc.  for Nitrox mixes.   Not sure how useful it is in practice, though – would you take your iPhone on a Dive boat?

iDiving (59p)

I prefer this to the iDive Nitrox App above.  It lets you plan a series of Air or Nitrox dives, and for each one it gives you the Non-decompression limits,  EAD, PPO2, Max Allowed depth, etc.

Expensive, but very comprehensive Dive Log program.  Stores comprehensive information about each dive, and can even import Dive profiles from various PC & Mac OS X Dive log programs.  You can attach Photos to Dive Sites and Countries, and even get your Dive Buddy or Guide to sign your logbook using their finger, on a Signature screen.

Amazon Kindle (Free – books extra)

And finally, for those who need to keep their baggage allowance down…  Amazon Kindle.  This is basically an iPhone eBook reader, for those who can’t afford the US$259 for the Kindle device.  Personally, I think it would be hard to read a whole novel on the iPhone screen, but it is useful for storing Guidebooks – and reference material,  such as Martin Edge’s excellent “The Underwater Photographer” book.  The paperback version weighs the best part of 1Kg, but the electronic version weighs nothing – and I find it invaluable as a reference guide.

We still have a significant number of people in the database who remain marked as ‘not renewed’. If, when you login to the site, your status is ‘Membership Renewal Due’ then you need act now!

Anyone who believes that they have paid and that the indicated status is therefore incorrect should email me ASAP as should anyone who arranges payment from this point forward. The email address to use is

A full list of payment methods is available here - it is now too late to use the cash option without at least temporarily loosing access to the site.

Cheers

Mark
(Webmaster & Membership Secretary)