Still OK Computer
BACK IN JULY 2024 while boarding a dive boat, I lost my dive computer at sea, which left me devastated, especially being recently unemployed. This happened near the A1 wreck off Brackelsham Bay, West Sussex. Fortunately, a beach walker discovered it and posted a note on the Hayling Island community group on Facebook. A fellow diver saw the post and shared it on the SSAC page.
I reached out to the person who found it and met them on the same day. After retrieving it, I went directly to the dive club social, installed a new battery, and it powered on successfully. Everything was intact, except for a notification about a missed decompression stop and 27 hours of continuous dive time, which occurred until the battery died in the cold water. Esma Williams
Southdown‘ not so bad’
SOUTHDOWN DIVERS BSAC 1430 DIVED INTO 2025 BY CELEBRATING their 40th Anniversary at Langstone Quays Resort near Portsmouth. Members past and present plus their families and friends joined us to eat, drink and be merry!
Thanks to all who provided photos for a slideshow: it was our backdrop to the evening, which prompted memories, anecdotes and a bit of leg pulling.
Our Chair, Martin Koerner, delivered a speech taking us from humble beginnings to our current position, which includes a snorkelling branch, regular new faces and young people gaining their Discovery Diver qualifications. We remembered members we’ ve lost in the last few years – Mark Kirby and Ian Barrow – recognising their contributions to the club.
A new annual trophy, called the‘ Not So Bad’ award in memory of Ian Barrow was awarded to Arran Fisher for his special contribution to club life. Arran has been a recent driving force, taking on many responsibilities and keeping the club going during Covid. He gained his instructor ticket and organised diving expeditions as we returned to a healthy membership. We now have a strong committee of team players who are signing up for new challenges, including Snorkelling Instructor and the Instructor Foundation Course. Here’ s to the next 40 years! FIONA FISHER, Social Secretary, Southdown Divers 1430
Remembering Stephen Eyre
SHEFFIELD SUB AQUA CLUB, previously known as Chapeltown Sub Aqua Club, is sad to report that member Stephen Eyre has recently passed away. He was very well known in the Yorkshire and surrounding area, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who ever met him. His reputation was legendary.
Steve joined our club in the early 70s as a snorkeller, and had to wait a few years before he was old enough to learn to dive. He was a member of BSAC for more than 50 years and served on the club’ s committee for many years in various roles. He particularly enjoyed his times as Diving Officer.
Steve was an Advanced Diver and Open Water Instructor, teaching and passing on his love of diving to lots of people. He was also a BSAC boat handling course instructor. He was a big character; once met, never forgotten and always the centre of any club story, guaranteed to get himself in and out of tricky situations, and with very thick skin.
Although normally a miserly Yorkshire man when it came to money, it didn’ t apply when Steve wanted new diving kit or a new boat. He would barter poor salesmen down to rock bottom, and he shared this skill for the benefit of club members in return for a free breakfast, which had to include baked beans and tomato ketchup.
Steve loved our diving club, missing a club evening only when on holiday; the deepest of snow or another marriage couldn’ t keep him away! He loved trips to the east coast and Oban, but also enjoyed trips to Egypt. He looked after our boat for years.
We’ ll miss you Steve, RIP. The club won’ t be the same without you, but we will be talking about you and your adventures for many years to come. CLARA BAILEY, Secretary SSAC 0256
An additional tribute from Robbie Eyre, Stephen’ s son
Stephen joined Chapeltown BSAC branch 256 in the 1970s, and became hooked. He travelled the world for the adventure of exploring new sites. He especially enjoyed UK diving, mainly round the Scottish isles and Oban. For more than 20 years he was event organiser of the Matlock Raft Race, raising money for the RNLI and only giving it up due to his illness. He became an instructor in the late 2000s, teaching his sons his beloved hobby. He also trained us how to handle boats. Many members will have fond memories of this at Whitby, where he was secretary of power boats for the yacht club and took part in the local regatta. For several years he was also an active Training Officer at Ripley Sub Aqua Club. He will be sadly missed, but remains in our hearts. He is now and forever diving the depths of the oceans beyond. ROBBIE EYRE A823452
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