Geoff's Newsletter Page


     2012 is 11 years for BALSAC  

           www.balsac.org


           BALSAC will next meet on Friday 3rd   February 2012 at 8:30pm for 9:30pm start.

                                    Future 2011 meeting dates: 

Friday 2nd March 2011

Friday 6th April 2011  (Cancelled GOOD FRIDAY)

Friday 4th May 2011

Friday 1st June 2011

The BALSAC meeting is at the Red Lion, Darely Road, Stone Edge,
Chesterfield, S45 0LW (Tele 01246 566142)
Ask to see the special BALSAC snack menu if you want something light to eat.

The Red Lion Web page: http://www.thefamousredlion.com/

 Directions can be found at the following WEB page:
    http://uk.multimap.com/map/places.cgi

2012 trips

18th February SDI Solo Diver Course - Mark Powell

The course is Sat 18th at National Diving & Activity Centre. Based near Chepstow and the total cost is £150.

Contact Geoff on 07850 - 007 - 312

 

London International Dive Show  - 31st March-1st April 2012 at  ExCeL London

Details : http://www.diveshows.co.uk/futureevents/futureevents.shtml

 

Best of the wreck (Brothers and Northern wrecks) itinerary  -  25th May 2012 – 1 week

Best of the wreck trip for BALSAC includes  SS. Thistlegorm, Rosalie Moller, Giannus D,

Carnatic, and Brothers wrecks and sharks for £950.. This will be 7 nights on a live-aboard

in the Red Sea. This trip includes the following:.

*Flights Gatwick/ Manchester (No flight supplements)

*Internal airport transfers

*soft drinks, water, coffee and tea

*7 nights full board boat accommodation

*Dive guides, all diving,

Details can be found at:

http://sh.digitalvault.bt.com/invite/login?c=6c696f6e666973683739&i=1f9a6-133ddd886e1-gemini02&t=a061c69b6f28c591&r=mg&lang=en

Contact Geoff on 07850 - 007 - 312.

 

EUROTEK 2012 Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th October

Details:  http://www.eurotek.uk.com/

 

B17 Bomber at Calvi Corsica Cancelled

This has been cancelled due to high prices 1200 euros for flights and hotel !

 

Gibraltar Long week - June from Manchester - £370 plus diving

5 nights Hotel Bristol. B&B. Transfers  20 Kg hold luggage.

10 Kg had luggage is included in the price

Contact Geoff on 07850 - 007 - 312

 

Malta Long week - July from Manchester - £450 plus diving

6 nights Soreda Hotel Qwqra. HB. Transfers 20 Kg hold luggage.

10 Kg had luggage is included in the price

Contact Geoff on 07850 - 007 - 312

 

Jersey – September 2012

Interest in diving this as there is no commitment upfront to pay for

Diving. Ferry and hotels still being arranged and details to

follow to folks who have expressed an interest.

Contact Geoff on 07850 - 007 - 312.

 

Dive 2012 - 27-28th October 2012 at NEC Birmingham

Details : http://www.diveshows.co.uk/futureevents/futureevents.shtml

 

TANGO Boat Dives at Weymouth – Dives 2012

For the latest update on available spaces please check  http://www.tangoofweymouth.co.uk

Details on  INDIVIDUALS  DIVES  http://www.tangoofweymouth.co.uk/i_dives.htm..

 

 

DIVE SITE

Approx DEPTH in metres

DEPARTURE TIME

SPACES

COST

Tuesday 8 May

M2 & drift

30

10.10

12

£48

Wednesday 9 May

UB74 & drift

34

12.00

12

£48

Monday 14 May

Aeolian Sky & drift

30

10.30

9

£48

Monday 21 May

Elanor R & drift

29

10.00

12

£48

Monday 4 June and Tuesday 5 June (Bank Holiday)

These dates are available for charter or large group.

 

 

 

 

Wednesday 6 June

Pommeranian & drift

34

11.00

12

£48

 

 

Stoney Cove Dive – Christmas Night
Night Dive around 6:00pm and pub afterwards. To join the group Contact Gary 0794- 6835- 781

http://www.stoneycove.com/opening.htm

 

BALSAC 24th December drink with Paul

Location to be agreed. For more detail contact Rob on 07836-  316 - 481

 

 

2013 trips

 

Truk Lagoon ‘Tanks and Boats and Planes’ : 21st May – 3rd June 2013

Truk is, according to many the standard by which all wreck diving should be measured, and should

be on the list of every wreck diver’s dream destinations. In response to previous interest, arrangements

for this trip have now been confirmed and spaces are booking up fast.

 

There are a limited number of places still available, however a deposit of £250 is required by

no later than 3rd February to secure your place. Places can only be reserved if deposits are paid on a

first come first served basis. Verbal confirmations are not sufficient to reserve a place.

 

Flying from the UK (either Manchester, Birmingham or London Heathrow) with Emirates Airlines

on scheduled flights to Manila via Dubai, the trip will involve overnight stops in Manila, 1 night at the

Truk Blue Lagoon Resort and 7 nights on the SS Thorfinn Liveaboard.  The return itinerary is flexible

and can be arranged to include extended stays in Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong or the Phillipines.

 

The guideline price for the trip, (based upon latest 2012 published rates) is £2573 plus departure

 taxes of £205. This includes return international flights in economy class with Emirates Airlines. In

Manila it includes 2 nts accommodation at the Manila Airport Hotel in a twin or double share room

with breakfast. The price also includes return Continental Micronesia flights from Manila to Truk.

 

In Truk Blue Lagoon Resort it includes transfers and 1nts accommodation in a twin or double

share room with breakfast. On Thorfinn it includes transfers, 7 nts accommodation in a twin or

double share cabin with all meals, snacks, teas, coffees and soft drinks with upto 5 dives per day

to 5 different dive sites with 3 free Nitrox 32% fills per day. The Thorfinn is also able to support

the needs of technical divers.

 

A detailed information sheet has been prepared for this trip, a pdf copy can be obtained from

the following web page:

 

http://sh.digitalvault.bt.com/invite/login?c=6c696f6e666973683739&i=39d00-133ddd8d577-gemini05&t=3ffad272b586b214&r=mg&lang=en

 

More details on Truk can be found : http://truk-lagoon.com/index.html

 

Any more information please contact Paul on 07793- 751 - 202.

Web pages with a diving twist

Please send any of your interesting Diving web pages to Balsac

 

Carl Spencer

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/5401913/Carl-Spencer.html

 

                        Extinct bear skulls found underwater

            http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/news/world-latin-america-16632419

 

Into the abyss: The diving suit that turns men into fish

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/into-the-abyss-the-diving-suit-that-turns-men-into-fish-2139167.html

 

Management of mild or marginal decompression illness in remote locations workshop proceedings

http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/9600

 

HMS Victory 'set to be recovered' from seabed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16671444

 

Swimmer Punches Tiger Shark To Escape Attack

http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16152916l

 

Great White Shark Circles Fishing Boat Off Oahu, Hawaii

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/14/great-white-shark-hawaii_n_1206392.html

 

Titanic artifacts to be auctioned

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-fg-titanic-auction-pictures,0,7495833.photogallery

 

Yorkshire diving conference

http://www.divernet.com/home_diving_news/1220968/yorkshire_diving_conference.html

                       

Simo - we can hear you dive !

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-16555916

 

Pool Access

Pool Access  - Pool access at Eckington. As part of the BALSAC and NEDSAC, relationship 

there is pool access for all BALSAC folk to try out new kit or just  practice your skills, or you

may wish just to have a swim!  Kit can be dropped off and assembled from 20:00, allowing a full

 45 minutes in the water.  For more information attend one of the BALSAC meetings. The pool is

25m long and has depths 1m - 3m. For more information call Steve on 0771 398 5767.

 

Commercials

 

Become a Commercial Diver – Train in South Africa for £2500 UK HSE Approved.

Contact Paul on 07875 164335 or web www.commdivesa.com – Jack’ Dive Chest

Commercial Diving School.

 

Beaver Diving equipment –

For quality diving kit at great prices, please contact Contact Paul on 07875 164335

 

Dry Suit/Wetsuit repair  contact Marshalls in Derby 01332 771716

 

Service Reg  - Neil –07946335389

 

Car parking at Manchester

Just Click: www.carefreeparking.com

Just Click: www.meetingandgreeting.co.uk

 

 

UK Diving Boats used by BALSAC folk. .

 

Bridlington - Large Hard Boat for Scuba Diving  - The Providence
Contact  Tony Pockley 07736634050 or WEB:  http://www.boathireandcharter.co.uk/

 

Eyemouth as Terry discussed - http://www.scimitardiving.co.uk/.

 

St Abbs  – Billy Aitcheson on Wavedancer 2 with twin tail lifts http://www.divesearch.co.uk/boat.php?boatId=94

 

Cornwall – 17/18th July 2010 – Dive Action either on Cornish Pussy or Mytilus rib depending on nr’s http://www.diveaction.co.uk/.

 

West Coast  Scotland - Wildlife & Diving cruises around the http://elizabethgcharters.co.uk/?page_id=130

 

Farne Islands diving - http://www.farne-islands.com/diving/index.htm

 

UK Diving sites used by BALSAC folk

Malta H2o Divers. Please do look at our website www.h2odivers.com/about-us/our-dive-centres.

October 2011 to March 2012 Six nights accommodation 10 dive pack - over five days All Transfer

to and from hotel, dive sites Transfer to and from the airport From 300 euro per person .

 

Cote D'Azur for around £325  - South of France near Nice

A new RIB, recently delivered

"A week's diving (ten boat dive package on Diamond Diving's brand new RIB) in Antibes and

Juan Les Pins on the much overlooked and under-rated Cote D'Azur with shared self catering

accommodation in well appointed mobile homes and all transfers.  Prices between £395 and

£560 depending on season.  Cheap flights available into Nice with EasyJet.  

Call 01908 234030 or e-mail info@diamonddiving.net  webpage http://www.diamonddiving.net/

 

Dive the Isle of Man

The cost per person is £300 for 6 day’s diving. 2 dives per day with a

selection of reefs, wrecks, caves and wall dives during the week. Chance

to see basking sharks, grey seals and common seals. Contact Michelle and Steve

on 07624 300090 or via web www.discoverdiving.im

 

Stoney Cove  The National Dive Centre –Open to divers and is in Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire.
Details can be found at Web page http://www.stoneycove.com/  

 

Eight Acre Lake  –Open to divers and is off the M62 near North Caves (Hull).
Details can be found at Web page: http://www.eightacrelake.8m.com/  

 

Leek Underwater Reservoir – There is an underwater reserviour near Leek that is 2meters deep by 40x29 meter. If you want to
dive this contact Gary on  07946835781. Web page details: http://www.therezuk.net/  

 

South of France near Niceoperating for a couple of years and specialises in helping Brits to dive
in the South of France. Check their web page out:   www.diamonddiving.net. Cheap flights are

available from local airports to Nice.

 

 

Any other Business

 

All diving should be undertaken with insurance.

All Divers are responsible to ensure they have the correct insurance cover.

DAN Europe provides insurance for diving. Details on WEB:

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/membership/benefits.asp  

 

Fancy some scuba diving jewellery?

Check out - http://www.reefjewelry.com/

 

East Midlands Underwater Photgraphers (EMUP) - Stoney Cove

If your serious about underwater photography you will be there. This will be a great talk, as all of them

are at EMUP, on the first Tuesday of each Month between October and June of each year.

EMUP website is www.emup.org.uk

 

Nitrox Table

Nitrox trained divers available at meetings as an excel file.
But remember when you print it, laminate it!!!  

 

Travel Advice Service for Scuba Divers

 

The London Dive Chamber has now opened a Midlands branch in Rugby.

For more details : http://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php

The do medicals too. Thanks Craig

                          

The London Diving Chamber is now providing a new travel advice service for         

scuba divers, through the online medicine consultants, E-Med.                  

  Services include:                                                                  

     Pre travel consultation: on how to stay healthy abroad                       

     Post travel consultation: if you are unwell on your return or just require a check up to make sure                                      

     E-mail support whilst abroad should you need some advice, diagnosis or even a prescription                                                       

     Free online anti-malarial advice together with its travel information service                                                                       

     Online anti-malarial prescriptions with free next day delivery             

     A fully comprehensive first aid pack, with prescription-only medication, sterile dressings and many other useful items for a travel medical pack. 

                                                        

    For more information on the above please visit the London Diving Chamber           

    Travel Advice Web page http://www.londondivingchamber.co.uk/                                                              

    All diving medicine queries will be answered by one of London Diving               

    Chamber doctors for free, via email, telephone or now via Skype Video   

 

The London Dive Chamber has now opened a Midlands branch in Rugby.

For more details : http://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php

They do medicals too. Thanks Craig

 

Open Water Film -  Safety for thought – Open Water had some valuable lessons we can learn.
Next time we go on a diving make a Named list of all divers is taken. Ensure each diver is checked out by
name and checked in by name on the list. Confused … watch Open Water  

 

Free Health and Safety leaflets - Diving

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/diveindx.htm

 

Tidal Predictions WEB pages

http://www.climbers-club.co.uk/tides/tides.html 

http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx

 

Yorkshire Divers WEB page

http://www.yorkshire-divers.co.uk/

 

Wind details

http://www.windguru.com/int/index.php?sc=42171

 

Second hand gear for sale

Please note: The use of sale items requires Professional Scuba Diving Training/Certification or Instruction

to ensure  correct understanding for safe scuba diving. Failure to use  items  without Professional

Scuba Diving Training/Certification or instruction can result in serious injury or death. If you have any

doubt on the use or suitability of these items please seek Professional Scuba Diving advice before using

sale items for scuba diving. .

If you are interested in buying/selling kit come to the meeting nights to discuss.

BALSAC is very active non-profit organisation for scuba divers

over the age of 18. BALSAC is not affiliated to any commercial

diving organisation and there are NO MEMBERSHIP FEES.

BALSAC  is based in Chesterfield and since 2000 has grown to a

membership of over 450 scuba divers worldwide ranging from

beginner to instructor; amateur to commercial divers.

 

A free monthly e-mail is sent to all registered BALSAC members which

highlights the telephone contact details for future trips in the UK and worldwide.

 

BALSAC meets once a month at The Red Lion pub

in Chesterfield. These meetings are regularly attended by scuba

divers from different diving organisations and diving skill levels.

The meetings are a “relaxed” social event with formality kept to

a minimum for all to discuss current scuba diving affairs; past

trips and to plan future trips in the UK and worldwide.

 


 

[Top] [Main Index]