divebelfast.com

Events 2023

Branch led Open water diving expeditions and instruction courses for 2023

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. Ad hoc shore diving: weather permitting.

MARCH:

19th: “St Patrick’s weekend”. Local boat dives to be arranged to suit all diver grades. (HWB on 19th is 3.4m @ 08.57 GMT)

26th: Expedition to the State of Louisiana at Hunter’s Rock launching from Ballylumford. (HWB is 3.4m @ 15.13 GMT)

APRIL:

8/9th: Easter weekend. Expedition to Mullaghmore to dive various wrecks in Donegal Bay.

23rd: 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. Launch @Strangford (HWB on 23rd is 3.4m @ 14.04 GMT)

MAY:

7th: Expedition to the SS Tiberia in Belfast Lough. For very experienced dive leaders and advanced divers only. (HWB is 3.5m @ 13.00 GMT).

Alternative: Expedition to SS Hebron and other wrecks in Dundrum bay, (HWB is 2.7m @ 17.23 GMT) Launching from Kilkeel.

14th: Expedition to the SS Hundson. For experienced divers with follow up dives to Inner Lees wreck and other sheltered locations for trainees and the less experienced. (HWB is 3.2m @ 7.04 GMT)

18th: last pool session at the Grove Leisure Centre.

27/28th: Annual Weekend diving expedition to Co Donegal based at Burtonport or alternative location. Scenic and wreck diving in clear water and lots of craic in the pub. Accommodation to be arranged on an individual basis.

 
JUNE:

4th Expedition to SS Neotsfield for experienced divers with follow up dives to other sheltered locations. Launching from Ballywalter. (HWB is 3.5m @ 11.57 GMT)

18th Expedition to the SS Tiberia in Belfast Lough. For very experienced dive leaders and advanced divers only. (HWB 3.2m @12.00 GMT)

25th: Expedition to the SS Tiberia in Belfast Lough. For very experienced dive leaders and advanced divers only. (HWB 3.1m @4.19 GMT)

Alternative: Expedition to SS Hebron and other wrecks in Dundrum bay, Launching from Kilkeel.


JULY:

1st/2nd: To be confirmed: inter Dive Club wreck diving Expedition to Cork and Baltimore

12/13th: Expedition to Killybegs or alternatively Buncranna, diving wrecks in Donegal bay or Lough Swilly respectively.

23rd: Expedition to Strangford Lough and Narrows. Diving the SS Bangor or SS Hundson and sheltered locations in the lough such as around Lees wreck. (HWB is 2.9m @ 15.37 GMT)


AUGUST:

6th: Expedition to the SS Tiberia in Belfast Lough. For very experienced dive leaders and advanced divers only. launching from Whitehead. (HWB is 3.3m @ 15.36 GMT)

Alternative: Expedition to SS Hebron and other wrecks in Dundrum bay, Launching from Kilkeel.

20th: Expedition to the SS Tiberia in Belfast Lough launching from Whitehead. For very experienced dive leaders and advanced divers only. (HWB is 2.8m @ 6.58 GMT)

27th: Expedition to SS Laurentic in Lough Swilly launching from Buncranna with follow up dives at scenic locations in Lough Swilly.

Alternative: Expedition to SS Hebron and other wrecks in Dundrum bay, Launching from Kilkeel. (HWB is 2.9m @ 8.08 GMT)

SEPTEMBER:

3rd: Expedition to Strangford lough: Diving the SS Bangor or SS Hundson and Lees wreck (HWB is 3.5m @ 14.18 GMT)

10th: Expedition to SS Hebron, launching from Kilkeel. (HWB is 2.7m @ 8.43 GMT)

Return to Ad Hoc diving expeditions.


OCTOBER:

3rd: Start of autumn and winter pool access at the Grove Wellbeing Centre. Try dives and enrolment for the BSAC Ocean Diver courses can be arranged by contacting the Club via email.

9/16th: Wreck diving Expedition to the Egyptian Red Sea on a Live Aboard leaving from Sharm el Sheik.

NOVEMBER:

Ocean Diver training and BSAC Skill Development courses continue.

DECEMBER:

Ocean Diver theory exams and Xmas party and ballot.

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