25th February 2010
Submitted by Lisa on Sun, 2010-02-28 12:51
Hi Everyone
There has been some great diving on the South Coast lately and the water temp has definitely improved. We have a southerly change due and then back to more strong northerlies for next week.
Our divers returned safely from their White Island trip and it sounds like they had some amazing diving with 22 degree water, great vis and lots of sunshine. Keep an eye on our website for the White Island gallery.
The girls were out last night at Big Thumb for a yummy meal, lots of gossip and a bit of wine plus one lucky lady had a poem written just for her....
Congratulations to our new Advanced Open Water divers - Shaun Wilkinson, Matt Galvin, Tim Cuncannon, Sarah Quilliam, Jamie Williams, Joe Allison and Karen Leeman. They had a great days diving on Sunday to finish off their deep and wreck dives.
Also congratulations to Danie Ralph on completing her Open Water course and Daniel McNaughton on finishing his Dive Master course.
Abi leaves the country this weekend and as we say goodbye to her and wish her all the best in her travels we welcome our new staff member Rob West. Rob is a Dive Master with a background in outdoor education and will be a great asset to the shop.
BOAT CHARTERS...we're planning 5 days of boat charters starting on Thursday 18th March and running through until Monday 22nd March. Times will vary so contact us if you're keen for any of these days.
DIVE CLUB DIVES...leaving Splash at 10am Saturday and Sunday mornings, if you need gear hire be here at the shop by 9.30am.
Also a photography dive on Saturday morning with Paul Cooper - meeting at the shop at 10am. Paul will be leading a nice slow dive for those that want to take photo's and heading to a site to find and photograph seahorses. Afterwards hang around for the bbq and compare photos. Objective is to dive somewhere real slow and give people the chance to think about and practice taking photos. Let us know if you'd like to join Paul for this one.
GOODBYE DINNER FOR ABI - FRIDAY 26TH FEBRUARY
We are heading out for dinner tomorrow night to say goodbye to Abi before she heads overseas. Everyone is welcome to join us so let us know if you would like to come along.
CHILDRENS SNORKELLING COURSES
In conjunction with Island Bay Marine Education Centre, we are running childrens snorkelling courses for 8 to 14 year olds. Perfect for the less experienced snorkeller. $99 includes a pool session, a sea dive in the marine reserve, all equipment and a donation to the Centre. Sunday February 28th 4pm to 6pm pool session, Saturday February 6th for the sea dive. We plan to run more of these programmes throughout summer.
TRY DIVES - TUESDAY 2ND & THURSDAY 4TH MARCH
Do you know someone that would like to give breathing bubbles underwater a go? These will be held at Thorndon pool from 8pm. $30 includes all equipment and entry fee with a $25 discount when signing up for an Open Water Course.
SPEARFISHING COMPETITION AND CHARITY FISH AUCTION...Saturday 6th March
Register either between 5.30pm and 6.30pm on Friday 5th or from 7am on the morning. $20 entry fee with the first 25 entries receiving a Beuchet competition t shirt. Weigh in 3.30pm to 4.30pm with winners announced at 5pm. Bbq and refreshments from 4pm.
Charity fish auction from 5.30pm with all proceeds going to support Life Flight trust. Come on down and help support a great cause. Competition is both shore based or from a boat, all spearo's must dive in pairs, no scuba.
There are plenty of spot prizes so everyone has a chance to win a prize.
OPEN DAY AT MARINE EDUCATION CENTRE
We have organised a private tour of the Marine Education Centre and their new facilities. Tuesday March 9th. Meet at Splash at 5.45pm or at the lab at 6pm. No charge.
ONSHORE BEACH CLEAN UP - WEDNESDAY 10TH MARCH
As part of Sea Week, we will be running an on shore cleanup on March 10th, meeting at Splash 6pm. We will be focusing on the area between Owhiro Bay and Island Bay and doing a count of cigarette butts picked up in this area to highlight the problem. BBQ at the shop afterwards, register now.
OCEANHUNTER NO BUBBLES FREEDIVING COURSE - FRIDAY 12TH - SUNDAY 14TH MARCH
The guys from Ocean Hunter are coming down again to run their popular freediving course. A Friday evening of introductions and theory, followed by a weekend of pool training and sea dives covering techniques to help get you more bottom time and deeper dives. They also include a lot of information specifically to do with spearfishing. Cost is $430 and a $50 deposit wil secure your place. This course fills, so book now.
5M POOL AT KILBIRNIE - SUNDAY 14TH MARCH
Join us for a buoyancy workshop, practise your freediving skills or do a Refresher - whatever you'd like to do really. This is the perfect time and place to play when you can't get in the sea. We'll be in the pool from 9pm - 10pm so give us a call or reply to this email if you're keen to join us.
LERMONTOV, MALBOROUGH SOUNDS DAY TRIP - SUNDAY 25TH APRIL
Join us for a day diving the famous wreck. Leaving from Mana Cruising Club early morning and returning late afternoon. $150 plus any gear hire needed for three dives on the Lermontov.
DIVE LAKE TAUPO - FRIDAY 30TH APRIL - SUNDAY 2ND MAY
Join Karl for 3 dives in the lake and finish with a drift dive down the Waikato River. Drive up Friday lunchtime and head back on Sunday afternoon. $295 includes accommodation (bach style), tanks, most meals and transport if needed. $275 for Dive Club Members. You can also include these four dives as part of your Advanced Course for just an extra $250 (usually $350).
FIJI WINTER ESCAPE - JULY 2010
You can still join us in Fiji to do the famous shark feed at Beqa Lagoon. Our package includes 10 dives, four of which are shark feeding and 6 reef dives. 8 nights accommodation in a deluxe room at Lagoon Resort, return airfares from Auckland, transfers and insurance for just $2895 for divers and $2205 for non divers. Spaces are limited so register your interest now and we'll send you the information pack. A $200 deposit will secure your place.
POOR KNIGHTS - LABOUR WEEKEND
Join us for this great liveaboard trip. Leaving Tutukaka Marina on Friday 22nd October and returning Monday 25th October. Stay onboard the night before at no extra charge. $795 includes all meals while on charter, transfers to and from Whangarei if needed, 5 nights accommodation and all meals while on board. Tanks & weights included. Check out the boat at www.divenz.co.nz 6 spaces left.
UPCOMING COURSES
Open Water - starting at 9am this Sunday, 28th February
Advanced - Wednesday 17th March at 6pm for theory, then Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st for sea dives
EFR (First Aid) - Thursday 1st April at 6pm
Rescue - starting at 9am on Easter Monday, 5th April
If you haven't checked out our new website, go to www.splashgordon.co.nz
We're going to be sending our newsletters directly from our website soon, so to receive them in future you will need to go to www.splashgordon.co.nz and on the home page click on 'subscribe'. If you have any problems, comments or questions please don't hesitate to contact us.
We hope you have a great week and we look forward to seeing you over the weekend.
Dave, Paula, Lisa, Abi and the Team at Splash