divebelfast.com

Events 2020

Branch led Open water diving expeditions and instruction courses for 2020

Any precise listing of diving events in and around our shores is fraught with unpredictable weather conditions. The tides we can deal with, the weather has a mind of its own and for safe diving, times and locations of expeditions are adjusted accordingly. Nowadays, last minute communications about planned diving expeditions are made by the Dive Manager via text messaging or WhatsApp.

The emphasis is on safe diving. Plan the dive and dive the plan.

This year’s list of events is a broad overview of envisaged expeditions and locations. Otherwise, expeditions will be planned and expedited by experienced Divers in consultation with the diving officer and members’ wish list for dives and locations.


JANUARY:

Ocean Diver and Sports Diver instruction classes. Ad hoc shore diving: weather permitting.

FEBRUARY:

Ocean Diver, Sports Diver instruction and skill development classes.

MARCH:

Ad hoc shore and boat diving if weather permits.

15, 16, 17th “St Patrick’s weekend”. Local boat dives to be arranged to suit all diver grades.

28/29th Expedition to the State of Louisiana at Hunter’s Rock launching from Ballylumford.

APRIL:

13/14th Expedition to Mullaghmore to dive various wrecks in Donegal Bay.

18/19th Expeditions to SS Bangor for experienced divers with follow up dives to Inner Lees wreck and other sheltered locations for trainees and the less experienced.

MAY:

9/10th Expedition to the SS Tiberia in Belfast Lough. For very experienced dive leaders and advanced
divers only.

11th Pool access at the Grove Wellbeing Center finishes for the summer.

16/17th Expedition to the SS Hundson wreck launching from Strangford.

23/24th: Annual Weekend diving expedition to Co Donegal based at Burtonport. Scenic and wreck clear water diving and lots of craic in the pub. Accommodation to be arranged on an individual basis.

JUNE:

13/14th Expedition to SS Neotsfield for experienced divers with follow up dives to other sheltered locations. Launching from Ballywalter.

25th June to 2nd July: Traditional “holiday diving” expedition to Gozo: Lots of opportunities for wet suit diving in clear waters. Non divers and family members are most welcome. Members travel and accommodation to be arranged on an individual basis.

27 /28th June: To be confirmed: inter Dive Club wreck diving Expedition to Cork.

JULY:

12/13th : Expedition to Killybegs and St John’s Point.

25/26th Expedition to Strangford. Diving the SS Bangor, SS Hundson and Lees wreck.

AUGUST:

8/9th Expedition to SS Chirrapo in Belfast Lough launching from Whitehead.

15/16th Expedition to the SS Tiberia in Belfast Lough launching from Whitehead. For very experienced dive leaders and advanced divers only.

29/30th (To be confirmed) Expedition to the deep wrecks off Malin Head.

SEPTEMBER:

5/6th Expedition to SS Hebron, launching from Kilkeel.

12/13th Expedition to Strangford: Diving the SS Bangor, SS Hundson and Lees wreck.

19th to 26th Week’s holiday diving to be arranged in Med. or Adriatic.

OCTOBER:

2nd /4th : The club’s annual live aboard diving expedition to Scotland to explore the wrecks in the Sound of Mull. The live aboard departs from and returns to Oban. Travel to be arranged on an individual basis.

5th Commencement of autumn and winter pool access at the Grove Wellbeing Center. Try dives and enrolment for the BSAC Ocean Diver courses can be arranged by contacting the Club via email.

Update on 16/10/2020:

Due to the new Covid restrictions for the next 4 weeks our booking with the pool has been cancelled. For anyone planning to go down for a swim hopefully we will be back next month.

NOVEMBER:

Ocean Diver training and BSAC Skill Development courses continue.

DECEMBER:

Ocean Diver theory exams and Xmas party and ballot.

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