SCUBAHUB
Kernow Fest salutes its sponsors
THE ORGANISERS OF KERNOW DIVE Festival have thanked the sponsors who helped them raise a record-breaking £ 8,550 for DDRC Healthcare.
Dive manager Luke Bullus told SCUBA:“ The following businesses deserve a special mention, and we can’ t thank them enough for their generosity. Here they are, in no particular order”
■ North Coast Diving donated a full-day charter
■ O’ Three Ltd donated a 50 % drysuit voucher and a semi-dry suit
■ Kent Tooling Diving Products donated two of their reels
■ Seaways Diving and Suunto UK donated a Suunto Diving D6i Novo Zulu dive computer between them
■ Scubapro donated a pair of their
Seawing Supernova fins
■ Mares donated three of their bags
■ Discovery Divers Plymouth Ltd donated a day’ s diving for two divers
■ Seaways Diving and Engineer Aftercare Caravan, Campervan & Motorhome warranty donated vouchers for cylinder testing and £ 100 off at Seaways
■ Liquid Sports donated a BigBlue 1300NP Torch and some Sharkskin caps
■ Cressi donated a pair of their Origin Fins
■ AP Diving donated an assortment of items, including flasks, dry bags, mugs and beanies
■ DDRC Healthcare donated a 40m chamber dive and facilities tour for up to 8 people
■ Dive Signs donated a selection of their Smart Emergency, MOD and Gas Analysis sticker packs
■ Sharp’ s Brewery donated a voucher for either a 5-litre Mini Cask of Doom Bar or an 8-pack of cans
■ Scuba Ry Divers donated a snorkel set
■ British Sub-Aqua Club donated two digital SDC training packs
■ Porthkerris Divers donated tee shirts
Two local businesses helped keep the divers warm and fed. Penryn Joinery donated a van load of their heating fuel briquettes to warm the divers throughout Saturday night. Firewood Supplies Ltd near Penzance, kindly donated several large bags of restaurant-grade charcoal to the Kernow Dive Festival BBQ!
We also need to give a big shout-out to local ghost gear recovery charity Fathoms Free, which supported the fundraising weekend with its recently refurbished RIB and experienced skipper, Jules.
Sands heads up First Class Diver
NATIONAL INSTRUCTOR SANDS Castro has become BSAC’ s new First Class Diver( FCD) Chief Examiner. Sands takes over the role from outgoing FCD Chief Examiner, Dave Lucas, and will now oversee BSAC’ s highest diver grade.
A diver for more than 35 years, Sands is a mentor and instructor trainer on BSAC’ s Instructor Training Scheme. Based in North Berwick, Scotland, she is also an active member of three BSAC clubs – Lothian Divers, Divetech and South Queensferry.
Sands said she was looking forward to taking on her new role.“ I would like to bust some of the myths about First Class Diver! For example, some see it as being a technical diver’ s exam or that candidates are unlikely to pass first time,” she said.“ Many also think it’ s geared towards wreck diving and, as someone who prefers scenic diving to wreck diving, I’ d like to change that perspective too.”
As part of BSAC’ s National Diving Committee, the FCD Chief Examiner oversees BSAC’ s First Class Diver training and assessment, in line with BSAC’ s standards and procedures. The role is also there to inspire, support and mentor Advanced Divers who express a desire to progress to First Class Diver.
“ First Class Diver is not a standard grade in BSAC but I believe there are many divers out there who are acting as FCDs without knowing it!” Sands added.“ As such, I really want to encourage those who are already organising expeditions big and small to think about becoming a First Class Diver.”
Sands is now inviting any members who are interested in taking the First Class Diver exam to get in touch to find out more. She can be contacted at fcd. chief @ bsac. com
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