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Page 1 of 7 News at Scubadive West Top 10 Treats for Irish DadsScubadive West's Discover Scubadiving experience featured in the Irish Times on Saturday 13th June as one of Ireland's Top 10 Treats for Father's Day! Turn your family and friends into divers by booking them in. The Official Invitation!!  14th June 2009 Scubadive West is delighted to present your official invitation to SCUBAPRO Days 2009, taking place on August 15th & 16th in Scubadive West. Click your Invitation and we will see you in August. History in the Making 18th May 2009 The weekend just past was a significant one in the history of Scubadive West as it marked our debut Island Dive Safari aboard the brand new Brazen Hussy. We have spent the past few minutes pondering how best to convey just how extraordinary diving from this boat is, then realised that one of our divers has just done a better job than we ever could! Check out their review of the weekend by clicking this forum. Places on the remaining Island Dive Safari dates are filling up fast so early booking is advised. SCUBAPRO Days 2009Scubadive West will host Ireland's first SCUBAPRO Days on August 15 & 16th 2009. SCUBAPRO Diving Days are unique events held all over Europe and all divers are invited. You can try SCUBAPRO's latest gear for free in an actual dive, attend seminars and meet face-to-face with the SCUBAPRO team. It's a day to learn more about SCUBAPRO and enjoy diving in a convivial atmosphere. You must book your participation directly with Scubadive West. PADI will be joining numerous SCUBAPRO Days to offer Specialty courses during the events. Scubadive West will run a full schedule of boat diving throughout the weekend; usual prices will apply; and we will also host a BBQ on Saturday evening. Specialty Courses for May 2009Scubadive West is running a range of PADI Specialty courses during the month of May, all aimed at divers from Openwater level and upwards. Turn your hand to Digital Underwater Photography, learn to dive like a scientist with our National Geographic Specialty or be "ship shape" with our Boat Diver Specialty. Click for an information sheet or visit the PADI Courses page of our website. The Brazen Hussy has Arrived!The brand new Brazen Hussy has arrived on our shores and is now sitting pretty on her permanent mooring out West! This newly built 38ft x 16ft diving catamaran offers the ultimate luxury in offshore diving. We will be using this stunning vessel for all our 2009 Island Dive Safaris. Book your place today! Scubadive West Gala Dinner 2009You are cordially invited to our Gala Dinner on 19th September 2009 in the Maol Reidh Hotel in Tullycross. Click here for your invitation!  2009 Underwater Photo Competition- The Best of Ireland Underwater: Macro (Close-Up) Category - The Best of Ireland Underwater: Wide Angle Category. The competition now in its second year, has gained a huge following and we hope to grow this even more over the coming months. All entries are via the competition website and we have some great prizes up for grabs, courtesy of our generous sponsors Scubapro, Suunto, Oceanic, Fourth Element and Sea & Sea. Prizes include a Scubapro MK25/S600 regulator, a Suunto Vyper Air Computer and transmitter, and a Scubapro Tec2G Dive Computer. The competition is open for entry from today until midnight on 6th September, giving photo enthusiasts an entire dive season to capture that winning image. Remember, registered participants can change their chosen submissions in each category up until the closing date. Entry is free but you must first register on our competition website. Having completed this simple step, you can proceed to upload a maximum of 3 photos in each category. This competition is for amateur photographers only; any entrants deemed otherwise will not be considered. Please note that some aspects of our competition website are still under construction, with some exciting features to be added over the coming weeks. Ex-School Gear SaleWe are currently selling our one year old, Scubapro ex-school diving equipment. Scubapro MK2 regulators at €235, Scubapro T-One BCDs at €149 and Scubapro Profile 7mm Steamer and 5mm hooded overvest semi-dry at €209. All the gear will be fully serviced before leaving the premises. Check out our webpage for more information. Once Off Drysuit Offers on Drysuits Currently in Stock!Ladies DrysuitsBare CD4 Compressed Neoprene Medium €719 Bare CD4 Compressed Neoprene Large €719 Hunter VSN Hybrid Stretch Large €815 Men's DrysuitsOceanic 4mm Compressed Neoprene Medium-Large €859 Hunter VSN Tech Medium €1,090 Hunter CBX Front Entry Suit Large €995 These suits are currently in stock; drop down today for a fitting! Ships Ahoy!Latest information on the brand new Brazen Hussy reports that she will be at her new home out West by the end of March; in plenty of time for our summer dive safaris. Built to please with a hydraulic diver lift and 3D ocean floor mapping in the passenger area, this 38 ft x 16 ft diving catamaran embodies luxury. Check out our photo gallery for some shots. Calm Seas and Cool Heads 16th February Scubadive West and its tranquil environment have yet again worked their magic on visiting divers. While Valentine's weekend passed for many in a haze of hurried flower purchases and strained dinner conversations, all in attendance here basked in their passion for Connemara and the diving charm it continues to offer. Incredibly calm waters and admirably mild weather garnered many a comment on the inherent therapeutic value of our dive offering. This hydrotherapy was replicated underwater as visibility averaged eight metres and divers were surrounded by an abundance of juvenile marine life. Yes, spring is also to be felt underwater as the ocean rejunvenates itself after the winter months and looks ahead to a warm summer. Breffni Gray and his divers spotted an octopus off Inis Barna on Sunday morning and the conger eels also made an appearance. So what can divers look forward to? Our daily boat diving schedule continues with boats departing at 10am and 2pm. Our next Streamstown Drift Dive takes place on Friday 27th February and is proving very popular. Eleven eager speed junkies have already signed up, so only a few spaces remain. Call us today if you are interested. Discover Scubadiving - Castlebar Thursday 19th February We are hosting a once-off Discover Scubadiving evening in Castlebar this Thursday 19th February. This is a perfect opportunity for someone you know to try diving in the comfort of a heated swimming pool. If you know of anyone interested have them contact us before Thursday. Our normal Discover Scubadiving schedule will resume at the dive centre on 1st April and will continue until the end of October. Scuba Reviews Anyone who feels that their dive skills need some sharpening after the winter months would benefit greatly from a Scubadive West Scuba Review. We run these daily at the dive centre, with prior booking essential. Cold But Crisp 2nd February 2009 According to weather reports those of you on the east coast are currently subject to snow and sleet, and the less than ideal road conditions that go along with this. Au contraire, today in Connemara we have blue skies and bright spring sunshine. Indeed, couple this with an offshore easterly breeze and you might say we have ideal diving conditions. Next Weekend The mid to long range forecast for 'The West' is stable so we are hoping for some great boat diving next weekend; 7 & 8th February. Our current plan is to dive Inis Barna on Saturday morning and the wreck of the Julia-T on Sunday morning. Our dive times are 10am and 2pm daily. The afternoon boat each day will visit one of our local dive sites. Drysuit Specialty Those amongst you looking for ways to wrap up against the winter chill should participate in our Drysuit Specialty course. We will be running two courses this month: Saturday 7th February Saturday 14th February The Drysuit Specialty is a one day course, including two dives and some classroom time. Drysuits are provided. Complete both your Drysuit Specialty and Enriched Air Diver Specialty on the weekend of 7/8th February and receive 25% off the cost of the Drysuit course. Scubadive West's October 2009 trip to the Red Sea has proven to be exceptionally popular, with our original booking now fully accounted for. However, we have extended our spaces and are still taking bookings. If you are interested, please contact us as soon as possible with deposit details. Important Dates Don't forget to keep checking our online calendar for upcoming activities According to weather reports those of you on the east coast are currently subject to snow and sleet, and the less than ideal road conditions that go along with this. Au contraire, today in Connemara we have blue skies and bright spring sunshine. Indeed, couple this with an offshore easterly breeze and you might say we have ideal diving conditions. Next Weekend The mid to long range forecast for 'The West' is stable so we are hoping for some great boat diving next weekend; 7 & 8th February. Our current plan is to dive Inis Barna on Saturday morning and the wreck of the Julia-T on Sunday morning. Our dive times are 10am and 2pm daily. The afternoon boat each day will visit one of our local dive sites. Drysuit Specialty Those amongst you looking for ways to wrap up against the winter chill should participate in our Drysuit Specialty course. We will be running two courses this month: Saturday 7th February Saturday 14th February The Drysuit Specialty is a one day course, including two dives and some classroom time. Drysuits are provided. Complete both your Drysuit Specialty and Enriched Air Diver Specialty on the weekend of 7/8th February and receive 25% off the cost of the Drysuit course. Scubadive West's October 2009 trip to the Red Sea has proven to be exceptionally popular, with our original booking now fully accounted for. However, we have extended our spaces and are still taking bookings. If you are interested, please contact us as soon as possible with deposit details. Important Dates Don't forget to keep checking our online calendar for upcoming activities With Spring Just Around the CornerThe bone-numbing chill of January will be soon but a distant memory, replaced by February's welcome nod to springtime. With each layer of winter clothing we start to shed, there comes a new layer of enthusiasm for the year ahead. Scubadive West has undertaken to provide you with a 2009 packed with exciting diving opportunities; many of which are already published on our calendar page. But be warned; we are always on the look out for new ideas so keep checking back for the latest additions. Our weekly mailshot will continue to outline upcoming events, making it easy for you to stay updated. In the spirit of the good things to come, what will the next few weeks have in store? Our daily boat diving schedule is up and running; dive times are 10am and 2pm with prior booking essential. Friday 27th February sees the return of the Streamstown Drift Dive. Bookings are already flowing in (pardon the maritime inspired pun), so give us a call today to start your 2009 adrenaline programme. Anyone looking to join our Red Sea Dive Safari in October (7th - 14th) should contact us as soon as possible. There has already been lots of interest in this trip but some spaces do remain. Drop us an email outlining your interest and we can reply with an information sheet on the holiday. Encourage friends and family to get involved in diving with our Discover Scubadiving programme. Discover Scubadiving takes place daily at the dive centre from April onwards and is one of our most popular summer activities. We will also run a once-off Discover Scubadiving evening in Castlebar on Thursday 19th February; contact us for more details. Thinking of taking up our 2009 Master Scubadiver Challenge? Don't forget to take a look at our PADI Specialty Course calendar for the months ahead and pick your 5 courses. It is important to let us know you are taking part so we can monitor your progress; so call us or drop us a line. You can also log onto our online forum and compare notes with your classmates! Wrap up for your winter dives in a cosy drysuit. We will be running a Drysuit Specialty course on Saturday 7th February. This is a one day course, which will teach you how to safely and comfortably use a drysuit. Anyone looking to extend their dive time should consider our Nitrox Specialty course on Sunday 8th February. Scubadive West's Nitrox Specialty includes one boat dive with a nitrox blended cylinder. Anyone completing both their Drysuit and Nitrox Specialty in one weekend can avail of a 25% discount off the cost of the drysuit course. Our 2008 Photo Competition proved to be a huge success. 2009's Photo Competition will have even more categories and will be open for entries within the next couple of months. More details to follow on this! Anyone looking to enter but not entirely sure how to capture that winning shot should participate in our Digital Underwater Photo Specialty on February 21st & 22nd. Call us today on 095 43922 with your booking. The Bard's Den pub and guesthouse in Letterfrack is always a popular choice amongst our visiting divers. The food there is excellent, and as importantly is served up in "diver-sized" portions (none of this nouvelle cuisine minutiae!). To make this year a bit easier on your pocket, Scubadive West divers can avail of special room rates: - €20 per person sharing if there is 4 to a room - €25 per person sharing; less than 4 to a room - €35 for a single occupant Hopefully, some of the above will have inspired you to dust off those fins and plan your trip out West. Go ahead and prove 'George Lee But Not Glee' wrong and make 2009 a year to remember for all the right reasons. Scubadive West Master Scubadiver Challenge for 2009.PADI Master Scubadivers have achieved the highest accolade in recreational diving. To qualify you must be certified Rescue Diver, have a minimum of 5 PADI Specialties and evidence of 50 logged dives. We are delighted to announce our Master Scuba Diver Challenge for 2009, with a prize of a free Divemaster Internship at Scubadive West on offer. Anyone who completes 5 PADI Specialty courses at Scubadive West between August 2008 and December 2009, and who meets the other criteria for Master Scuba Diver (i.e. Rescue Diver certification and 50 logged dives) is in with the chance to win! Brazen Hussy Connemara, Brand New for 2009  We are delighted to announce the impending arrival of the Brazen Hussy Connemara for our 2009 diving season. This 38ft x 16ft catamaran comes complete with hydraulic lift for easy entry/exit, extensive cabin space and real time 3D Ocean Floor mapping in the passenger area. This really is dive planning for the 21st century. Scubadive West will be using the Brazen Hussy for its 2009 Island Dive Safari season. Sleepzone Hostels to invest €100k in Renewable Energy Systems in Connemara Sleepzone Hostel Group, with three large properties in Galway City, Connemara and The Burren, has announced plans for a substantial environmental investment in its Connemara hostel, which overlooks Killary fjord near the village of Leenane. Over €100k is being invested in solar panels and biomass fuels for Sleepzone Connemara, following an environmental audit by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) late last year. JMK Renewable Energy Systems have been contracted to install over 30 solar panels in Sleepzone Connemara along with infrastructure which will allow for the use of biomass fuels, and work is now underway. SEI have part-financed the project through a grant under its ‘ReHeat’ programme which provides assistance for the deployment of renewable heating systems. The bulk of the financing is being provided through a combination of the company’s own resources and bank borrowing. Initial guidance by SEI advised the use of compact fluorescent efficient lighting in Sleepzone Connemara, which the hostel undertook immediately, reducing their energy costs by 35pc. Further recommendations for water conservation will be addressed during the second phase of the ongoing implementation of Sleepzone’s environmental policy. Electricity for both rural locations as well as for the Galway city centre property – Sleepzone Galway – is already wind-generated, supplied by Airtricity. Sleepzone Director Ronan Garvey acknowledges that investment in environmentally-aware systems is costly, but says “with recession looming we are understandably aware that the long-term energy cost savings of this project are considerable. However as two of our three properties are located in areas that are world-renowned for their scenic qualities, we are also very conscious of our environmental responsibilities”. Sleepzone Galway, which opened in April 2001, has been voted ‘Best Hostel in Ireland’ (2006) and ‘7th Best Hostel Worldwide’ (2004) on Hostelworld.com, the internationally dominant online booking engine and information resource. It was joined by Sleepzone Connemara in March 2005 – a hunting lodge dating back to the 1800’s which has been fully converted to a 110-bed hostel combining dorms and the ever-more popular private en-suite rooms. The group added Sleepzone - The Burren in March 2007 after the purchase of a 3-star hotel and the alteration of some rooms to dorms Winner of Scubadive West Photo Competition AnnouncedOur 2008 Photo Competition was a roaring success. The quality of the entries was excellent, both in the Ireland Underwater and the West of Ireland Seascape category. Winners were announced at a reception in Scubadive West on the evening of 25th October, where a multimedia presentation of all entries was also shown. The winner of the Ireland Underwater Category was Mark Thomas' shot called "Little Cuttlefish". Clare Cashman's "Shelter", a shot depicting the famous Galway Hookers in South Connemara, won first prize in the West of Ireland Seascape category. Both winners will go on to enjoy their prizes; a walking holiday to the beautiful Canary Island of El Hierro and a Scubadive West Dive Safari for 2 divers in 2009. We will certainly be making this competition an annual event; so get snapping now for your chance to win in 2009. September 29th 2008 Our first Streamstown drift dive of Autumn 2008 occurred on Sunday last (28th September), with 11 thrill-seeking divers participating. Divers were dropped by boat at approximately 4pm into the mouth of Streamstown Bay, where they became passengers of a fast-flowing and filling spring tide. Thirty minutes underwater in stunning visibility saw our "Evel Knievels" travel up to 4kms in distance from the starting point. Indeed, even the swiftly swimming dogfish present in large numbers had difficulty keeping up. Most opted to do a second run, such were the levels of adrenaline pumping. Our next Streamstown drift dive takes places on Friday 17th October; gentlemen start your engines! Water temperature out West is still averaging 14 degrees so plenty of reason to keep diving. Plus, Scubadive West has plenty of excuses to keep the fins wet. Upcoming courses include: Of course, Scubadive West will be open for diving right up until December. This includes a full schedule of boat diving at 10am & 2pm daily. Newsbytes Don't forget to upload your photos for Scubadive West's Autumn 2008 Photo Competition, the clock is ticking! Check out our newly arrived Scubadive West Logbook Binder. That's it for now folks. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Scubadive West Speed Demon Society PADI Instructor Course Summer 2009 Cillian Gray, PADI Course Director at Scubadive West, will run a PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) at the dive centre between 12th - 21st May 2009. This course consists of two parts; the PADI Assistant Instructor course (AI) that runs between 12th - 15th May; and the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) that runs between 18th - 21st May 2009. Cost for the full IDC is €1,100. Cost for the AI only is €599 and cost for the OWSI only is €599. All participants must purchase well in advance (minimum 4 - 6 weeks) the IDC Crewpack; cost €475. This course is open to all PADI Divemasters or CFT/BSAC/SSI equivalent. Please contact us for more information. 16th September 2008 Despite a somewhat volatile start to September, the weather forecast for the coming days seems a lot more settled. For those amongst you waiting for the rain to stop, rest assured that in general diving conditions off Connemara have been unaffected. Thankfully, throughout all these Autumn showers winds have remained quite stable allowing us to continue with our full schedule of boat diving and courses. Our final Island Dive Safari of 2008 took place on Monday and Tuesday last. Some of the highlights of this safari included a stunning wall dive off Spotted Rock near Inis Boffin; where lobsters, cuckoo wrasse and a whole host of other colourful life abounded. Our 2009 dive safari schedule is already online, so phone a buddy and make plans! Of course we still have plenty of Specialty courses remaining for 2008, so call us and book your place today. Upcoming 2008 Specialties include Search & Recovery (1st & 2nd November), Drysuit Diver (20th September; 18th October) and Digital Underwater Photographer (4 & 5th October). Complete your Drysuit and Enriched Air Diver course in one weekend and receive 25% off the cost of the Drysuit course; includes next weekend 20 & 21st September. Our next Streamstown Drift Dive is on 28th September and is already filling up. Book your place on a veritable diving maelstrom! More detail available online. Finally, a parting mention of Scubadive West's Autumn Photo Competition. Entry is free of charge and there are some great prizes available; including a fully escorted walking holiday to El Hierro. There are already some great photos uploaded so get snapping and register today on www.competitionssdw.com
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