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Rockabill................second best to Blaskets when stuck at home!
If you can't go west, go east!
blasketting
The lads couldn't have picked a better week in the wild west. All go in flat seas and clear skies. Best diving in the world!
Aaaaahhh! Nothing can beat the skelligs!
Guess where we are
As you can see in the background we are in Drogheda getting ready to "Brave" the historic Boyne river. This year, as part of the Drogheda Maritime Festival, the Drogheda Triathlon Club were asked to organise an inaugural 2.7 km swim down the River Boyne. Well it was a swim for the tourists and a race for others. 150 took part and club was well placed overall - if you count 2nd, 97th and 104th good places.
The swim itself was a terrific with warm and clean river water, aided by only a slightly ebbing tide, cheering crowds, kayak and boat support, and loads of goodies at the end. After starting a the Mell the yellow capped swimmers fought their way downstream to the first bridge. It was here that the mass started to thin out and swimmers found their own space and clean swim lines to relax and get into a rhythm. After passing under 6 bridges - the last being the railway viaduct there was only 400m to go and everyone pushed the pace a bit harder to get ahead of the cluster that had surrounded them for the last 20 - 35 minutes. A really well organised and enjoyable event. Will be returning next year and hope to have a few more Club members participate.
Mullaghmore
Dived Thumb rock and the Gullies. 25m viz at 20 metres. Guess what we found ????
(Click photo to see further snaps)
John Dory
Lobster
Congor
Plenty of pollock
Dogfish
Mermaids
Dolphins
Etc etc.
Pondering the Skelligs
After a long day of terrific diving. Now exhausted but still exhilarated and eager for the next day of diving and exploration. So eager this diver has decided not to leave the dive boats so that he will be first in line in the morning. Now that's enthusiasm.
May Bank Holiday Weekend
He was either sucking a lemon or feeling queasy
Its been a busy holiday weekend of diving, sailing, cycling and general posing on buoys. Looking forward to more fun and adventure as the summer progress and underwater viz increases.
Practising for the Giro D'Italia
Buoy Boys
Royal Canal Walk (part three)
Some club members couldn't make an early season shore dive so, along with a few friends, they headed off to complete Part 3 of their epic "Walk along the Royal Canal". The numbers on this journey are dwindling. Are they falling along the tow path or just snorkelling the rest of the way?
The dive season has started
On Sunday a few of our most eager members took to the water for a shore dive off Sandycove. From the photos it appears to have been a good dive with reasonable visibility. Good omen for the rest of the year!
Saint Patrick's Weekend
It was an activity filled weekend with cycling, walking, exploring and snokelling
Proof of the pudding. After a beautiful climb and another on the way
The lads at the top of The Cut - Glorious weather
I know exactly where we are!!
Exploring a backgarden
A mysterious pond - Is it worth diving?? The eternal question
Out of the fog and we discovered Harry Potter's tree in Hobbit Land.
Dalkey Island St Patrick's Day Finswim - James did the Island against the current in 37 minutes. Others were just behind him, but only after taking a small shortcut
New Regional Snorkelling Officer
In recent years snorkelling has been growing in strength. In light of this CFT has now appointed a network of Regional Snorkelling Officers reporting to the National Snorkelling Officer. Fidelma Carroll from Aer Lingus has taken on the role of Regional Snorkelling officer for Dublin North. If you have any snorkelling related queries or ideas please direct them to Fidelma
Fitness to Dive and Snorkels
Hi All,
As we are getting close to the dive season kicking off please note that you must be paid in full, complete the Fitness to Dive Process and a minimum of 3 open water snorkels before any diving commences. Your logbook is used to record the snorkels.
The Fitness to dive consists of 3 stages and each stage is verified online on CFT COMS http://diving.ie/ or www.cft.ie under members section. Once you have completed the fitness to dives you will have the 3 green ticks representing each of the sections :
First Name SecondName IRISH SAC CURRENT
Below is summary of the requirements of Fitness to Dive; refer to the COMS guide under CFT Documentation on this website and current Courses and Test Book 2013 for full details.
(a) Annual Fitness Test-
Pool Exercises
1. Snorkel or swim 200m without stopping
2. Snorkel dive with fins and mask and fin a distance of 25m underwater
3. Tow a snorkel diver 50m
Or
Open Water exercises
1. Snorkel or swim 200m without stopping
2.Snorkel dive to 5m in sheltered open water
3. Tow a snorkel diver 50m
Notes:
1.The test must be witnessed by the Diving Officer or by his/her nominee
2.Repeat testing will be at the discretion of the Diving Officer
3.If any person becomes unusually breathless, the pool test must be stopped
Once this is completed I will verify on COMS.
(b) Annual Medical Disclaimer
The Diver must complete this on COMS (reviewed by CFT medical officer if necessary)
(c) Have an in date Medical Assessment by a GP stating you are medically fit to dive
A medical assessment is required as follows:
1 On joining CFT as a diving member
2 On reaching the age of 35
3 Three yearly from the age of 35
4 Annually from the age of 55
5 If a diver’s health status has changed since the last medical examination
If you require a medical please take the medical assessment form to your GP and have them complete the medical, sign the the form and sign and stamp your logbook. You then need to show your completed form and signed & stamped logbook to me. I will then verify your medical assessment on COMS. The medical assessment form is attached and can also be downloaded under the COMS members section.
Once the Fitness to dive process above and 3 open water snorkels are completed and logged, I will sign and stamp active diver insert for the season and you can you can begin diving. Any questions or queries please contact me. I will be at the pool next Monday so you can speak to me then also. I will also be asking people to complete the annual fitness test ... :)
Mark Lawlor
Diving Officer, ISAC
Canal Walk - Aftermath
Good day out today . Twenty five bodies and all still alive & kicking.
All went according to plan and the outing was so successful we are going to continue to the Shannon over the next few months.
Jim (Hannon) has offered to lead the next walk Sunday 9th March Louisa Bridge To Kilcock 15kms with break.
All wecome. More details closer to date.
The explorers
Under way
The Club can find evidence of wrecks even here!
Almost there
This mornings cycle
Please note Alan had the BIGGEST scone!
Preparations for Canal Walk
I trotted / ran the proposed course for next week’s canal walk this a.m. with my two trusty dogs.
Perfect….if a little muddy in places.
We meet 10am 12th Lock carpark in Blanchardstown .
We then walk approx 10km to Louisa Bridge, Leixlip from where we can get a return train every hour @ 47mins past the hour. Return journey to Castleknock Stn is 13mins.
WE will then adjourn to The Twelfth Lock Pub for refreshments.
So……….wear trail boots or old runners please.
Be prepared for whatever weather forecast.
Bring cash for return ticket or leap card.
Children & dogs entirely at your own risk.
Wear a smile at all times.
Be there or be linear.
Please let me know by text or email if you are attending.
Visit to Lambay Island
Hi All
I have had correspondence with Lambay island to allow ISAC visitors to the Island for a walking tour which will be part of a club outing towards the end of August early September (weather permitting).
There will be a cost for this which has to be confirmed over the coming weeks but I need to confirm numbers with them firstly.
This trip will be open to all ISAC Club members who have CFT insurance paid as the island were very clear on this regarding boats/passengers landing on their pier area. It will also be open to junior snorkelers also.
Access to the Island will be on the club boats and the day will consist of a walking tour, picnic on the Island and snorkeling off the beach area. I understand the old house are will be out of bounds for visitors.
Spaces will be limited.
Hanging Around
Rockabill
Evening out at the Rockabill
