The sun was shining. But the temperature was around 3°C and there we were in the middle of the car park at Llanberis doing compass navigation. At least we had our clothes on which was a change. This was the last official training session for the Club Diver qualification before the assessment. Mick and Arwyn were the trainees and David J and Hugh were the instructors.
Also there to test their NEW equipment (diving equipment) were Malcolm “is this camera housing water proof” Roberts and DO Neil R. In Neil’s case an “only used 10 times” DUI crushed neoprene dry suit. Nikki seemed to like the fitting (there was ample length in the thighs) and she went off with a smile on her face.
We were delighted with an unexpected visit by Mike Duke and Vi. They had come along so that Mike could register with the Vivian dive centre. Yes you did read that correctly. What a year it has been; Al Gray buying two raffle tickets at the Club Xmas party and Mike Duke signing up for Vivian quarry diving.
Anyway the training went fine for Arwyn and Mick, except that Mick again had a problem with dumping air on the final ascent.
“Neil says that it is sleeting, raining and blowing a real gale up in Llanberis”; said David. “Do you really want to go up to Vivian, David?” I asked. “I can see some blue sky”. said David. I should have realised that he was looking at one of his Cyprus holiday snaps.
We arrived. David, Neil, Hugh, Arwyn and Mick. The weather was as described. How can anybody live in Llanberis? I fully expected to be run over by Sir Ralph Fiens and his husky dog-sleigh team, looking for the North Pole. Global warming; give me a break. We decided not to do the open water session where one spends the first 3/4 hour wandering around the car park with compass. We did the “dragging an SMB behind you every where you go” session. The good bit is that it is the trainees who do the dragging. Anyway Arwyn and Mick completed the session. We de-kitted and were ready for off when Malcolm finally arrived, with his usual Llyn Gwynant sense of timing. So it was off to Pete’s Eats before anything important froze.
Congratulations to David on passing his Theory Instructor Exam. The topic of the lecture was the “Buddy Check” a subject to which David did true justice by over running the 10 minute alloted by 7 minutes. You have been warned. David will be playing a major part in the Sports Diver lectures mentioned below.
For those of you with a good memory this photograph may be familiar. When it was first used it David was described as being the “Club diver from Hell”.
Present: Neil Rawlinson (Diving Officer), David Jones (Training Officer), Mike Duke (Secretary), Hugh Evans (Chairman), Don Williams (Equipment Officer).
Decided that we wouldn’t take on any new members for training because we are occupied with completing the training for our existing members. We would try and get Arwyn and Mike through the Club diver training over the Christmas period. We would then organise sports diver theory training probably over a couple of Sundays (a marathon event) at Malcolm’s house, using Neil’s laptop.
Neil and Hugh are going to look into the cost of a diving trip to Cuba, possibly this spring. we will find out what the interest is when we have some figures.
“Seven words; film; third word; the; sixth word.”(a very powerful, repetitive and cyclical pelvic movement demonstration is given by David M) there were shouts of “thrust; thrust; push; f**k; push; f**k; thrust; sex; shag; thrust; shag; shag!”;”…. Austen Powers The Spy that Shagged Me” shouted Hayley (that startling confession went un-noticed). Applause. An excellent performance by David. David told us afterwards, over a drink, that he and his girlfriend take charades very seriously and practice a lot. It showed David; it showed.
It was the Christmas dinner in the Neigl Hotel, Abersoch (we had never been to the Neigl before; which was probably why they were delighted to see us), organised, despite Malcolm, by Julie. It was good to see Alan Harper, Hayley and Nikki and disappointing, especially, not to see Mike and Vi amongst others.
David M and Lee had a whole year of talking to catch up on, (they had not met since last Christmas! What sort of Club is this?). Some of the newer members were pleasantly surprised to see Hugh’s wife sitting next to him. They were quickly and quietly informed by the older members that Ellie is Lee’s wife. Hugh is left wondering what it was he did to cause the misunderstanding? (A rhetorical question; suggestions are not required!).
Other highlights: Alan G bought two raffle tickets (well more of a shock than a highlight) ; the raffle made £22; Ellie showed her skill at charades when she shouted out; “the Good the Bad and the Ugly” immediately Tim stood up. And finally Carol’s brave attempt to get us to guess the title of the film “Virgin Soldiers” without stooping to the usual Dive Club porno level; commendable.
A good time was had by all. Happy Christmas.
As I took off my trousers for the nth time in the middle of the Llanberis slate museum car park, with a sub zero wind whistling around what I call my legs, I contemplated my position. I could get frostbite, I could get locked up for exposing myself or I might actually enjoy the session. Luckily it was the latter for the Open Water 3 session with Arwyn went very well. The controlled buoyant lift was very controlled and buoyant, he towed the whole 25 metres and he came back to tell the tale. So it wasn’t very long before I found myself back in the car park, exposing my self to the elements again. Its all in the day of the life of a diving instructor.
Mari Williams born to Don and Ffiona Williams at Bryn Beryl Hospital, weighing in at 7lbs. Congratulations. Obviously the Equipment Officer has lived up to his name. Mari joins her sister Lowri to make sure that Don doesn’t get the sleep he needs.
