Tim and Jason cooking post-dive treats from the harbour . This site provides depths from 6- 40m . Tim Tynan , our Diving Officer , particularly enjoys this site due to the abundance of fish and crustaceans , soft corals , anemones and the large boulder field . Lyndon McCaw , our Chair , enjoys the Sard , which was shipwrecked of the north coast during a storm in 1906 , taking a cargo of manure from London to Coleraine . Although in only 7m , Lyndon enjoys this not only because of its history but also because of the vast assortment of habitats from boulder fields to sand . Night dives done out of season on local sheltered walls reveal an abundance and diversity of wildlife that is utterly amazing .
What club activities went well last year ?
Despite Covid challenges and some unfortunate weather in 2022 , we had a very successful training year . Four divers completed Ocean Diver training . Five members did Sports Diver Theory and are completing their various assessments . The club organised a diving holiday to Los Gigantes , Tenerife , for 10 days in September . The most memorable dive was at a site called Atlantis , which has similar rock formations to the very famous Giant ’ s Causeway back home . As well as organised dives , the tourists enjoyed whale watching , night-sky watching and the local alcoholic beverages .
We also get involved in some community projects outside diving and training .
Tell us more ….
The club participated in the North Coast World Earth family fun day on 10 April and our sea-floor litter picks made it into the local media . North Coast World Earth is an educational , environmental awareness campaign
Lyndon and Tim , and a bicycle recovered from Portrush Harbour
and action group involving communities across the Causeway Coast and Glens area , to raise awareness about pollution and the impact that this is having on our environment . Other local groups interested in the sea also took part , including Freedive NI and Saving our Seas NI , which is running a project to raise awareness of the critically endangered flapper skate in Northern Ireland . There was an Eco Art Competition , a sand art competition on the West Strand and more than 300 people attended eco crafts workshops and a BBQ at the yacht club .
But 2022 was special to us for another reason . It was Skerrie Scuba ’ s 50th anniversary and on 12 November we organised a special event with 50 divers from across Northern Ireland underwater in the harbour , followed by a barbecue and a few sociable drinks at the wonderful Portrush Yacht Club . We were delighted to get sponsorship and support from a number of local businesses , including Plastic Welding NI , Protec Workwear and Aquaholics . A special thank you goes to Causeway Coast & Glens Council for the use of the harbour .
What stands out in the club ’ s history ?
A number of years back , the club featured in both local and national media , including the BBC , after members found and recovered an ornate cross from a Spanish Armada shipwreck called Girona . The cross is now the property of the Ulster Museum , while the money raised by its sale was used to buy a club boat [ all items reported to the Receiver of Wreck ]. Recently we have been invited back to the Girona by its custodian and we hope to dive there in 2023 .
What is the club planning for the next 50 years … well the next few at least ?
We would like to source a new club boat ; maybe a hard boat with a lift or ladder , depending on budget . We want to train more Diver Cox ’ ns . Our main challenge in participating in BSAC ’ s regional Skill Development Course training comes from our location and the associated travel costs . It would be wonderful if we could get some assistance in getting boat-handling instructors to come to Skerrie Scuba . We have great facilities to offer . �
New logo and merchandise launched 2022
Treasure find from the Girona
37