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Weekend Diving - 23-Jan-2010 |
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The planned dive on the Canberra for Saturday 23rd January 2010 was cancelled due to strong weather forecasts... also for the same reason the whole day was cancelled... the BOM report was right as the winds howled for most of the day... one yacht sank aftefr a colision in the bay!
The dive is now scheduled for Monday 25th January 2010. We have 3 boats and one back up so if you wish to dive the HMAS Canberra please book in with John Lawler.
Depart Sorrento top boat bay at 8.45AM... the dive slot for HMAS Canberra is 10 to 12.
Another dive will be had and we will decide on that on the day.
JL
Posted by BUBBLEDIVER on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:31 AM (135 reads)
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Diving with VSAG over Christmas and January 2010. |
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January is nearly over and the club has had some very succesful days diving in the last month.
Many members have been away on holidays at various exotic locations since Boxing Day, but we have still had well attended dives on at least 7 different days. The sites included the HMAS Canberra, The J5 Sub (twice), The Coogee, Lonsdale Wall, Castle Rock, Twin Bommies, Magic Reef, and also the Phillip Island Pinnacles.
The visability has been in the 15-20m range on nearly all dives and and a great time was had by all concerned.
Our January meeting at Bells Hotel is fast approaching and we have an excellent guest speaker in Ken Hoppen. Ken will be presenting on Diving With Humpbacks in Tonga and also diving with Whale Sharks at Christmas Island. This is a free event and open to all interested divers.
Don't forget if you want to come to Wilsions Prom for Easter, you need to let Andy M know NOW! Bookings for the campsites close before the end of January.
Keep diving.
Regards,
Greg Richards
President VSAG
Posted by Shadow on Sun, 17 Jan 2010 06:10 AM (88 reads)
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The Presidents December Rant. |
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Well folks Christmas is nearly here and Santa has delivered VSAG an early Chrissy present. Yep, the Ex HMAS Canberra opened for diving last weekend and we grabbed bookings on both days.
Over the weekend we had 16 divers dive the Canberra, plus the week before we have had a good weekend at Phillip Island diving around the Cape Woolamai drop offs.
The divers that dived the Canberra were treated to excellent diving on a near pristine wreck, that we are all convinced will become the Victorian divers mecca in the years to come.
Our annual Christmas Party saw over 70 in attendence at Mt Martha and despite the appalling weather we all had a fantastic time.
In the coming weeks we have dives scheduled for The Nepean Wall, The Canberra( where else!) as well as the J1 sub plus general reef dives in and out of the Bay. Don't be shy, ring and book in with the Dive Captain as listed on the upcoming events.
Our meeting at Bells Hotel in December on Thursday 17th December is open to all and is purely a social get together before Xmas to get to know who is diving where and when over the holiday break. If you plan on being around and want to dive, then turn up and let us know.
Anybody wanting to dive with us at Easter at Wilsons Prom needs to let a committee member( preferably Andy) know by the January meeting, as bookings close for campsites by the end of Jan. Experience the most adventurous and exciting diving in southern Australia- "The Prom"
Have a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.
Regards,
Greg Richards
Posted by Shadow on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:33 PM (180 reads)
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The Presidents November Rant: |
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Well folks the diving season has kicked off in Grand style!! November has so far given us 3 off the best days at the Prom in living memory plus several weekends since of fabulous diving in and around Melbourne.
Visability has been between 15-20m on most dives. The water has been getting warmer ( or less cold depending on your perspective). We had whales around the boats off the southern coast of the Prom and playful seals on the Broken sub at 39m!!! It has been sensational.
Upcoming dives are scheduled every weekend until Christmas and for those of who are Hunter gatherers the Cray season has started. Make sure you have a current fishing licence. A few of us have recently given the scallops a fair going over and they are back in good numbers.
Check the calender and book in with the Dive Captain and get out and enjoy this whilst it lasts. Book in and get amongst it now!
For the newer divers keen to get wet with us don't be shy- book in with the Dive Captain and we will find suitable dives to suit your level of experience.
Anybody wishing to come with us to Wilsons Prom next Easter will neeed to let us know by January as we have to book campsites and plan boat numbers for this awesome and remote location.
Regards,
Greg Richards
Posted by Shadow on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:35 AM (172 reads)
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November diving magic in Melbourne |
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Saturday looked to have beautiful conditions for boat diving so Peter Briggs fulfilled his role as DC and we eventually organised 2 boats out of Sorrento (MVs Lawler and Gladding). There were not enough divers to fill a third boat so JL agreed to pick me up at Queenscliff on the way to the heads.
The weather on the day was even bettter than we had hoped, the rip was brilliantly calm and we powered out to 'Lost Reef'. We dropped the shot on an east facing wall in around 30 - 37m. JL and I thought the vis on the bottom was quite good at around 10m and we followed the reef towards the coast, returning to the shot for the ascent. There was no surge on the bottom, a relief after recent diving I have done.
On the surface we were buzzed by some dolphins and a seal, these stayed around while we were stripping off our gear.
The Storens and Adam then dropped down the shot line and powered off along the reef, ascending independent of the shot.
After a bite to eat we headed into the 'Bommies' near Castle Rock and found some interesting reef at betwen 12 and 14m. This was once again a very calm dive with lots to see, including 6 crays. The vis was good and the water temperature at 16C more than acceptable.
The weather had remained excellent with no swell or chop at all. All enjoyed a great day's diving - so good in fact that before I had driven home Greg Richards had arranged some diving for Sunday.
Sunday. Mick Jeacle came out of Sorrento and I launched from Queenscliff with Mick K and Christine who blessed us by being prepared to mind the boat while we dived.
Mick Jeacle led us out to the Coogee where I had a second drop of the shot line to ensure we were on the wreck. On descending we found the shot was in the middle of the wreck, between the boilers and the prow. The conditions on the way out had been very sloppy, indicating we could have some surge on the bottom, but it was dead calm down below and the vis was around 15m. It was my best dive on the Coogee to date, we swam past the boilers to the stern where the fish life was amazing, then back past the shot line to the bow. With time running out we headed back to the shot line and up.
Our intention was to see if we could dive the outside Nepean Wall, but decided we would be better to head inside while with the tide, given the size of the swells we were experiencing. Once inside we went to the 'Caves' part of the wall and dropped the shot on the edge of the wall. When Dive Vic came and dropped their shot 10m away we figured we were in the right spot.
Mick and I dropped in and found ourselves in a fantastic section of the wall, with good canyons and a large swim through cave. We avoided the temptation of going too deep to max out our bottom time but once the curent turned we headed back to the shot. I definitiely heard Mick sob when I pointed out my computer was telling me we were headed for deco if we didn't ascend. Our faithful driver had the boat positioned next to the shot so we had an easy recovery, a good effort with boat loads of divers out of charter boats all around us.
The clouds had moved away, we were in full sunshine and the wind had dropped. A great way to finish a weekend's diving.
The water conditions are looking great for this coming diving season. The water is warming up rapidly, the swells are impacting less on the bottom and the vis is improving. It is time to dust off the gear and give it ago!
Posted by DavidG on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:46 AM (183 reads)
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VARS HMAS Canberra Sinking Ball |
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The sinking ball held on Saturday, 17 October 2009 at Melbourne Aquarium was a resounding success.
There were 141 patrons in attendance, and it was particularly pleasing to note that there were 26 VSAG members and their partners present at this historical function. Give yourselves a big pat on the back.
The food and drinks provided were first class, and the table service was prompt and courteous.
We were well entertained by the 7 piece "Fabulous Fate Brothers" and the night went only too quickly.
From comments heard on the night, everybody had a great time.
VARS managed to raise some much needed funds by auctioning various items on the night, which were provided by a number of generous donors. These funds will go towards ongoing commitments which are being undertaken, and which will benefit the diving community as a whole.
Posted by BigM on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:09 PM (210 reads)
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Christmas Party 2009 |
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VSAG Members,
VSAG CHRISTMAS PARTY 2009
SUNDAY 29TH NOVEMBER
Well November 29th may look a long way off but really it’s just 9 weeks away….and time flys!
The annual VSAG Christmas party this year will be held on a magnificent Mt. Martha estate, the home of new member Deb George.
The spit roasts will be fare of the day along with the usual offerings which are the tradition of our club.
Full details will follow closer to the date….HOWEVER…
For CATERING PURPOSES we will require firm numbers to be given NO LATER THAN THE OCTOBER 15th MEETING…please diary this date and confirm your attendance with:
John Lawler.
M: 0414 922916
P: 95894020
E: jlawler@aapt.net.au
Posted by BUBBLEDIVER on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 08:16 AM (296 reads)
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VSAG Annual General Meeting |
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Dear VSAG Members,
VICTORIAN SUB AQUA GROUP (VSAG)
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 17TH 2009
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was announced in the August-September issue of Fathoms is now confirmed.
VENUE: Bells Hotel Corner Coventry and Moray Streets,South Melbourne
TIME: 7PM for finger food.. 8PM for the AGM.
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Agenda:
1. To approve the minutes of the 2008 AGM
2. To receive the Annual Report
3. To receive the Treasurers Financial Report
4. To elect new members (Directors) for the committee
5. To present Club awards and recognitions
6. AOB
Thanks
Alan
Posted by BUBBLEDIVER on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:10 AM (237 reads)
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What is Victoria's favourite shipwreck? |
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Heritage Victoria wants to know about YOUR most loved shipwreck dives, and the most popular shipwrecks in Victoria.
Complete this short survey and be in to win one of three prizes!
Knowing where people regularly dive, and which shipwrecks you love to dive will help us manage Victoria’s shipwrecks for future generations of divers.
Information from this survey will help us target our resources to provide better access, interpretation or conservation works to sites significant to the diving community, not just those of significance to archaeologists.
Take the survey for a chance to win either:
- A pair of Cressi fins
- A place on an AIMA/NAS course: Part 1 Introduction to Maritime Archaeology
- A copy of the book "Welcome and Farewell: The story of Station Pier"
The survey can be found at:
www.heritage.vic.gov.a...urvey.aspx
Pass it on to family and friends!
Posted by lloyd_borrett on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:36 AM (294 reads)
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VSAG Fun Night |
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Hi VSAG'ers,
VSAG has a fund raising night this coming Thursday, 27th August 2009.
The Comic's Lounge in North Melbourne is hosting the night of comedy and laughter for just $15 per head!!
You can also enjoy a meal there for another $15.
The $15 entry fee goes to VSAG so if you are keen to support your club and have some fun as well this is for you.
Tickets from John Lawler... 03 9589 4020.
Cheers,
JL
Posted by BUBBLEDIVER on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 10:48 AM (290 reads)
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