Welcome to the Big Squid Newsletter April 2015
Thirsty Squid night, our social evening, is on the 7th April at the Railway Tavern in Clapham. We will be there from 7pm onwards. If you haven’t been before it’s very informal and friendly and you will be made to feel welcome.
First Instructor Development Course run at Big Squid
Congratulations to Peter Hazzard (Phaz) and Vanessa Baxter who completed the inaugural Big Squid Instructor Development course with Course Director Alex Griffin.
Both Vanessa and Phaz went on to pass their instructor exam and are now qualified PADI instructors.
The Census of Marine Life
Did you know that over 17,000 species thrive in the deep sea where no light penetrates the ocean waves? Or that an old restaurant menu can teach us about the history of fish populations? Or that there are 38,000 different kinds of microbes in a liter of seawater? These were all discoveries made by the Census of Marine Life, a 10-year international effort that assessed the diversity (how many different kinds), distribution (where they live), and abundance (how many individuals) of marine life. The effort brought together unprecedented amounts of information on marine species into databases that provide a ‘phone book’ of sorts for the ocean.
Marsa Shagra dive trip
We had a great trip to Marsa Shagra. We spotted Guitar Sharks and Turtles amongst other species.
The group also tried diving with Scooters which was great fun. You can see pictures from the trip on this link.
Pembrokeshire 20th – 21st June
Our UK dive season includes a trip to Pembrokeshire on the 20-21 June.
On land, the Pembrokeshire coast is Britain’s first and only coastal National Park..
Beneath the surrounding sea and around the scattered rocky islets the outstanding natural beauty extends onwards, although hidden from most visitors to the area!
Big Squid will be visiting Pembrokeshire this summer, for the weekend of June 21st and 22nd We will sample some of the huge range of dive sites, which include spectacular scenic dives and many popular wrecks. The water is warmed by the Gulf Stream, and there are many seals in the area which may visit you, popping up to investigate while you wait for the boat to pick you up. If you tempt them by swimming away slowly they may even come and play with your fins!
We will be staying in a converted farm near Milfod Haven, and diving from a fast, well-equipped hard boat that will take us out directly from
the harbour for a two-dive trip each day.
Between dives we have time for lunch for which we may well take a picnic ashore to a secluded beach.
We hope to visit the remote sites such as “The Smalls” reef or Grassholm island. The seals out here are particularly curious about divers! More details here.
Stock Restructuring
We are continuing to restructure the stock we hold and as a result will be clearing out items we have decided to no longer hold in store, this is resulting in massive discounts on such items as Lavacore, Weezle Under suits, Fourth Element thermal clothing, Scubapro Fins, Aqualung Fins, Torches, reels and more. Stop by the shop before it’s all gone!
Pictures By Dan Charity
Dan Charity is a professional photographer as well as teaching for Big Squid and he has an online gallery of his pictures many of which are taken in UK waters. You can find them here
Big Squid UK Trips 2015
Cornwall 30-31 May £279
Portland 29-30 August £199
Lundy 12-13 September £289 ( Trip Full)
Portland 10-11 October £199
Further details on all trips here
Upcoming Courses
Refresher 15th April
Club pool night 15th April
Discover Scuba 15th April
Advanced Open Water Diver 18th April
Open Water Qualifying Dives 18th and 19th April
Emergency First Response 19th April
Dry Suit Diver 19th April
Enriched Air Diver 21st April
Open Water Referral Course 25th-26th April
Refresher 26th April
Club pool night 26th April
Discover Scuba 26th April
Refresher 29th April
Discover Scuba 29th April
Club Pool night 29th April
Advanced Open Water 2nd May
Full course information is available here
Wraysbury Fun Dives
The Big Squid van will be headed down to Wraysbury on the 18th and 19th April and Chepstow on the 2nd May. Let us know if you wish to join us diving and we can pair you up with a buddy. We can provide full kit rental or just tanks and weights.