Welcome to the Big Squid Newsletter for July 2015
Thirsty Squid night, our social evening, is on the 7th July 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.
Lake Tahoma Vortex
Video footage has captured a giant spiralling vortex in a lake in the United States.
The video was taken at Lake Texoma, on the border between Texas and Oklahoma.
The vortex opened up after water was drained away from the lake, following severe flooding.
The two and a half metre wide hole could easily swallow a small boat, although it is walled off with buoys to stop vessels approaching.
Big Squid vegetarian BBQ, 20th August
As is customary, we will be having our Big Squid vegetarian BBQ in honour of former Big Squid Instructor Kevin Beurle and basically have some yummy food and a few drinks.
Everyone is welcome to attend whether you knew him or not.
As in previous years, the BBQ will be completely vegetarian (meat eaters, I promise you’ll be OK without meat for one night!). Get creative, get inventive and let’s see what culinary delights we can rustle up on the night.
Please bring your own drinks and a couple of items of vegetarian friendly food. Faye (Social Squid) will coordinate a rough list nearer the time to make sure we don’t have a hundred veggie sausages and nothing else ;). There are a couple of supermarkets nearby if you don’t wish to bring heavy drinks or food on the tube / train / bike / bus.
We will also be asking all those who attend to pay £3 each on the night please to cover the cost of charcoal, napkins, paper plates, cutlery etc. etc. which Big Squid will provide.
So, get your sun dances perfected, your veggie recipe creative juices flowing and get set for a night of merriment and squidtastic socialising.
Portland 29th – 30th August
Our UK dive season includes a trip to Portland on the 29-30 th August
Whether or not you have experience of diving in British salt water you are welcome to join Big Squid on a weekend scuba diving trip to Portland.
We usually dive around Portland Harbour or Balaclava Bay. With 4-5 dives over two days on a mixture of dive sites comprising wrecks and reefs.
On Past visits to Portland we have spotted: Red Mullet, Turbot, Dogfish, Greater Pipe Fish, Lesser Sand Eel, Garfish, Tom Pot Blenny, Pollack, Mackerel, Cork Wing Wrasse, Cuttlefish. Trigger Fish, Giant Jellyfish and Spider Crabs,
More details here.
Scubapro Jetfin
Scubapro’s Jet Fin is famous. Its durable rubber construction and distinctively beefy shape has
been seen on dive boats, research vessels and in the world’s most remote dive locales since 1965.
Featuring a proven vented design that decreases drag on the up stroke and enhances
thrust on the down stroke, the Jet Fin set the standard for power and durability 50 years ago.
To this day Tech divers, Military divers, Commercial divers, Dive instructors as well as
old-school recreational divers — still strap on their Jet Fins before every dive.
Scubapro are offering these Limited edition colours to celebrate 50th Anniversary of the Jet Fin price £115. Order now for arrival at Big Squid in November.
Ocean of stars, 14th July, London Aquarium
This is usually a fun and informative evening and a chance to tour the aquarium at your leisure without the crowds!
You will be given a free glass of bubbly and sustainable canapes will be served. A free juice bar will also be serving refreshing drinks.
Charities confirmed as attending and exhibiting so far include SEA LIFE Trust, Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation, the Manta Trust and Greenpeace.
More details here:
If you wish to attend, you will need to email oceanofstars@londonaquariu
Social Squid will be helping out on the Bite-Back stand – come and say hi.
Meet Vladimir
Vladimir a Master Scuba Diver Trainer originally from Moscow has been instructing for Big Squid for several years now.
I started diving in 1998 taking an Open Water Referral Course in London which was followed by open water dives in Rhodes, Greece.
My favourite dive sites in the UK? – I like diving in UK waters more than I do in warm seas. My favourite dive is always the next one.
What I like most about diving is that it provides the opportunity to discover the ‘other world’.
My advice for people learning to dive or improving their diving is to enjoy the privilege and be part of it.
Big Squid UK Trips 2015
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 12th July
Club pool night 12th July
Discover Scuba 12th July
Open Water Qualifying Dives 18-19 July
Underwater Navigator 18-19 July
Enriched Air Diver 21st July
Open Water Referral Course 25th-26th July
Refresher 22nd July
Club pool night 22nd July
Discover Scuba 22nd July
Emergency First Response 19th July
Refresher 24th June
Discover Scuba 24th June
Club Pool night 24th June
Dry Suit Diver 19th July
Full course information is available here
Wraysbury Fun Dives
The Big Squid van will be at Wraysbury on the 19th July. 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.