Naas Sub-Aqua Club Ltd.

Trainee Lectures

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:41:59 +0000

The first set of trainee lectures started on Sunday the 17th of January 2010 for the new members of Naas Sub-Aqua Club. Lectures were give by club instructors Barry Lawler, Andrew Murray, Liam Whelan and David Lawler and the venue was Lawler's Hotel, Naas. Lectures covered were Introduction to CMAS/CFT, Hand Signals, Intrduction to Dive Physics, Out of Air, Decompression and Dive Equipment. To put faces to the names here are some of the new members that were in attendance:

Search and Recovery

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 06:30:53 +0000

Naas Sub-Aqua Club members made a huge commitment in their Search & Recovery Unit by recently spending over €7,000 on specialised equipment for Search & Recovery training and operations. The eagerly awaited equipment arrived on the 23^rd of December 2009. This specialised equipment consists of 4 x Aga Interspiro full face masks with Buddy Phone,two way communications system complete with Buddy Phone base unit. The bulk of this money has been raised from various fund raising events and contributions. We are extremely grateful to all the local businesses (see sponsors page) and general public that have generously supported us and made this important investment possible.

Over the past two years twelve members have been trained in various Search & Recovery techniques and are now qualified as CFT Search & Recovery Divers. The twelve members completed their course with the very well respected Blackwater Sub-Aqua Club in Fermoy. While further training sessions have taken place over the past year in the Grand Canal, the team badly needed the masks and communications equipment to become fully equipped should they be called out on a search. The new equipment will certainly give great encouragement to the dedicated team. It will also greatly improve their personal safety and effectiveness while training and on active searches.

Scuba diving is mainly a leisure activity but the S&R Unit is also a very important aspect for the club as it is contributing to the local community and part of the County Kildare emergency plan. Plans are also in place to train in conjunction with the Kildare Civil Defence and help them on underwater searches should the need arise. Training will take place at various places along the Grand Canal and river Barrow over the winter months when weather sometimes prohibits other club diving activities. This training will built up the skills of the S&R Team and they will become a valuable asset to the local community in times of need.

New Year's Day Snorkel 2010

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:18:20 +0000

The annual Naas Sub-Aqua Club New Years day snorkel was a great success despite the atrocious road conditions. Eighteen members negotiated the badly snow covered roads to make the event at Digby Bridge on the Grand Canal. They arrived only to find the canal frozen over and having to break the ice ahead of them as they snorkelled.

The group consisted of seven of the fifteen new trainee members that have joined the club this year. I think the remaining new members did not believe the event would actually go ahead with the Arctic weather conditions we have been experiencing over the past week.

(Left to Right) Trainees: Robert Keane, Kevin Heffernan, John Moran, Barry O'Sullivan, Stephen O'Brien, Una Corrigan, Jimmy Galloway, Alan Gibbons, Enda Sullivan, Colm Usher and Stephanie Doran.

Christmas Party 2009

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:10:09 +0000

The Naas Sub-Aqua Club Christmas Party in Tougher's was well suported with over 30 members,family and friends attending to kick off the festive season. See photos with some of those in attendance. I'm so happy Santa had not to endure nursing me on his knee!

New Members 2009

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:26:43 +0000

This year Naas Sub-Aqua Club will be taking on new members. You do not have to have any previous experience as full scuba training will be provided over the winter months. We will start with a poster campaign throughout the county and surrounding areas in early October. This will be followed with free Try-a-Dives in the swimming pool on Thursday evenings from 8 -9pm in October. The diving course will commence on Thursday 5th of November. Lectures program will be held over four Sunday afternoon with pool snorkel and scuba training taking place every Thursday evening 8 – 9pm throughout the winter months.

Try-a-Dive Dates:

~~Thursday 29th of October, Thursday 5th of November, Thursday 12th of November, Thursday 19th of November, Thursday 26th of November.~~

Try-a-dives are now over and we are concentrating on training new members.

If however you are interested in joining Naas Sub-Aqua Club or want to find out more information, please e-mail nsac@eircom.net

More information on the club on the "About Us" Page.

Closing date for accepting new members is January 10th 2010.

(We will not take on new members after this date unless qualified as we will have started our lecture program)

Christmas Party

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:56:51 +0000

Our Christmas party is on Friday the 18^thof December 2009 in Toughers function room. Toughers is located in front of Toughers Business Park, Ladytown, Naas (on the Newbridge Rd., from Naas, old N7).The cost is €45 per head for the Party Night. You are all very welcome to attend and get to know the other members of the club. Please let Una Corrigan, our Treasurer know on 087 7854660 ASAP if you require tickets, i.e. by Thursday night next, 12th Nov. €15 deposit required ASAP

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. E-mail: nsac@eircom.net

December 2009 Newsletter

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:54:25 +0000

December 2009 News Letter

Click here to download December 2009 Newsletter in PDF format: Download file

Gozo - The Return

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:27:02 +0000

Having dived Gozo in 2006 we had to return to this beautiful island off Malta where relaxed shore diving can be enjoyed by hiring jeeps, cylinders and weights. We based ourselves in Marsalforn, a lovely seaside town with plenty of good restaurants along the seafront on the north coast of the island.

Annual BBQ and 1km Swim

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:03:44 +0000

The annual Naas Sub-Aqua Club barbeque & 1Km sponsored fin swim took place at Digby Bridge, the Grand Canal on Saturday the 29^th of August.

Five New Rescue Divers for Naas SAC

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:29:37 +0000

All the dedication & training over the past two months paid dividends for our five Rescue diver candidates on Saturday with all five passing the test. The Dublin South Regional Rescue test was held in the Coal Harbour, Dun Laoghaire on Saturday the 8^th August. There were nine candidates in total participating from the region.

The successful Naas Sub-Aqua Club candidates were Bernard Krugar, Joan McElwain, Pascal Michel, Simon Knott & Tom Cruise.

March 21st Weekend

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:34:27 +0000

Update: Friday 19th March 2010 (22:30)

Snorkels and Diving

The weather forecast for diving Sunday is still very uncertain with strong Southerly winds forecast. However the wind speed at the moment is forecast to drop to force 4 on Sunday.

There is a chance of diving if the wind eases and the sea settles. We may get diving just offshore using the boat. If diving is possible it will probably be a late call on Saturday when I get an updated weather forecast, sending the txt notice out at 6.30pm Saturday evening.

Please ensure you have fulfilled all the requirements (Have all 3 boxes green on the CFT website) Log in and tick the "Medical Disclaimer" immeadiatly if you have not already done so.

Pool Fitness Test

With three pool fitness tests dates completed, 44 of the 48 paid members having sucessfully completed the pool fitness test. I was very impressed by the efforts put in by some members who struggled at the first test but through their perserverance and training managed to achive success in the end, well done one and all. There are only four members to complete the test and a test date will be organised for them on Thursday the 1st of April. This should ensure all members are fit to dive for the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. The Curragh swimming pool is there at your disposal for training every Thursday night 7.45pm - 9pm , please use it to stay water fit and practice your diving skills. It is at the discretion of the diving officer to ask any member to complete the fitness test again if he is any doubt they are fit to dive.

An unfit diver is a danger to themselves and their buddy!

Trainee Lectures

All four set of lectures have no been completed, special thanks to Barry Lawler the training officer for arranging the course and all the instructors that helped out and gave up their time on the Sundays giving lectures. The Instructors were Barry Lawler, Dave Lawler, Tony Leeson, Andrew Murray and Liam Whelan.

Accommodation

We are now booking accommodation for the May and June Bank Holiday weekend with limited spaces on both. It will be on a first come best dressed basis and once full I wil close he sheet.

Click on the following links to book now:

"Mullaghmore Accommodation Booking Form

"Inish Meain, Aran Island Accommodation Booking Form

Pool Training

Pool training has recommences every Thursday, Curragh Pool at 7.45pm - 9pm. As you can see from the two snorkels you have completed, water fitness is very important for diving especially in Irish waters.

Google Groups & Google Docs

We will shortly be using Google Groups and Google Docs to organise Diving and Bank Holiday weekends. Click on the following sample page to fill in, submit & try: "Dive Weekend Test Page" You will be plesantly surprised at how simple to whole process is!

Accommodation

We are now taking accommodation booking for the Annaghvaan, Easter Bank Holiday weekend, Mullaghmore, May Bank Holiday weekend & Inish Meain, Aran Islands, June Bank Holiday weekend. (First Come, First Serve Basis)

Click on the following links to book now:

"Annaghvaan Accommodation Booking Form"

"Mullaghmore Accommodation Booking Form

"Inish Meain, Aran Island Accommodation Booking Form

More interesting developments can be seen on the Naas Sub-Aqua Club Google Groups page which you should have received an invitation to during the week.

If you wish your mobile number to be put on the hillwalking txt list please e-mail nsac@eircom.net

On Sunday's when the weather prevents us from diving we will try organise Hill Walks when possible.If you wish to be included in the hillwalkers txt list please e-mail. Family & friends are welcome to come along!

nsac@eircom.net

What you will need for basic Hillwalking

1. Bring a lunch, hot drink, few chocolate bars and bottle of water

2. Good walking boots are essential (Good ankle support)

3. A stick or walking pole is very helpful

4. Rain gear (Coat & leggings)

5. Change of clothes back at car.

6. Mobile Phone.(In waterproof cover)

We will post any activity updates on this page. Stay tuned - stayed informed!

**Hill Walking**
Date	Mountain	Height	Walkers	Distance	Time
9/11/08	Camenabologue	758mt	7	12km	4.5hr
21/12/08	Lug Duff (Glendalough )	510mt	5	12km	4hr
28/12/08	Djouce	725mt	7	12km	4.5hr
11/01/09	Around Lough Dan	N/A	4	18km	5hr
25/10/09	Glandalough	350mt	5	10km	2.5hr
1/11/09	Camenabologue	758mt	6	14.4km	4.5hr
8/11/09	Fananierin (Glenmalure)	436mt	6	14km	4.5hr
15/11/09	"Spink" Glendalough	510mt	5	12km	4hr
28/11/09	Powerscourt Waterfall	350mt	5	8km	2.5hr
6/12/09	Fananierin (Glenmalure)	436mt	6	14km	4.25hr
13/12/09	Lugnaquilla	925mt	5	13.5km	4.5hr

Weather Forecast:

Windguru - Rosslare Wexford Dublin

Tides:

Easytide - Dunmore East Dun Laoghaire

Summer Holidays - Valentia Is. 2009

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:35:50 +0000

Valentia Island, Co. Kerry was this year’s venue for the annual club summer dive holiday. While we have dived Valentia Island previously on bank holiday weekends, this was the first full week we had spent diving there. With the long range weather forecast looking extremely dodgy on the week leading up to the holiday, no one was too optimistic about getting too much diving. Thankfully this was not to be the case and the fact that it is an island providing us with several options as the wind changed direction during the week.

Weekend Accommodation

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:22:33 +0000

Annaghvaan Accommodation, Easter Bank Holiday Weekend, 2nd - 5th of April 2010

Click on following link: Annaghvaan Accommodation Form

Mullaghmore Accommodation, May Bank Holiday Weekend, 30th of April - 3rd May 2010

Click on the following link: Mullaghmore Accommodation Form

Inish Meain, Aran Island Accommodation, June Bank Holiday Weekend, 4th - 7th of June 2010

Click on the following link: Inish Meain Accommodation Form

Inish Meain - June Bank Holiday Weekend

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 11:23:30 +0000

“Clear blue skies, sunshine, temperatures of 27 °C and a flat calm sea with great visibility”. You could be forgiven for thinking I was talking about some far away foreign shore but not so! It was the June Bank Holiday weekend on Inish Meain, Aran Islands, nine mile south of Rossaveel .

New Club Divers

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 10:12:35 +0000

Congratulations to out two recently qualified Club Divers, Bernard Kruger & Simon Knott. Bernard passed his D** test as part of a regional test in Dun Laoghaire on the 23^rd of May. Simon passed his test the following Wednesday evening, also in Dun Laoghaire.

Hopefully this will encourage the remaining trainees to get diving whenever possible in preparation for their Club Diver test. It is important that we get everyone up to D** standard this season so we can then concentrate on the new trainees that we hope to take on in October which is only four months away.