We had a fantastic time at Capernwray last weekend the weather was great the company entertaining and we achieved everything we set out to do.

The SAA regional weekend was held on the 9th – 11th April and as a recently affiliated club we decide to show our presence and also use the opportunity to complete any outstanding training requirements and check kit prior to our upcoming club trips.

Our main objectives were as follows:

1. We wanted to show our faces at the regional weekend organised by the SAA.
2. To allow Janine and Daniel to progress their skills training towards the club diver grade.
3. For Christine and Mark to familiarise themselves in the use of the SAA Manikin (Oscar) so that in future we can use this resource on our own, perfect for what we wanted to do on club training days.
4. To assist a group of 3 divers from Cardiff who were doing the SAA diver rescue cross over course the following day in the use of “Oscar”
5. For Steve Hancock to do the four dives and skills required to pass his OWD qualification.
6. To see if we had finally managed to fix Lens dry suit.
7. Dave Shaw to carry out his assessment for Open Water Instructor (OWI)

The start of the weekend

The Yorkshire and Humberside, North Western and N Wales regions were represented and Selby Aquanauts had a great turnout throughout the weekend, Mark and Janine managed all three days, and were backed up by club members on the other days.

On Friday Mark and Christine carried out training using “Oscar” whilst Dave and Daniel carried out SMB practices. Recreational dives were also enjoyed by all. Dave also sat his OWI written exam.

Things got busier!!

On Saturday, Mark, Janine, Christine and Steve carried out 3 dives. This allowed Steve to progress with his OWD whilst being assessed by the club instructors.

On Sunday, Mark, Janine, Len and Steve carried out 2 dives. These completed Steve’s OWD and also gave him time to go through SMB deployment with Mark. Dave completed the diving assessment required for his OWI with the SAA instructors on site. They were pleased to inform him that he passed all requirements with flying colours, congratulations Dave.

Dave being congratulated by Steve Love.

A local farmhouse was found which did B&B and also allowed Marks Battle bus to be parked on the caravan site which meant that a few beers were had after the diving.

In summary, a cracking weekend of diving and dive training, the weather was as good as you could have wished for this early in the year and the venue is perfect for what we wanted to do.

See below for a few random pictures from the weekend.

Janine and Steve "horsing" around

This is how to do it up here

and now down here