Sub Aqua Club take to the water for first dive

The club had its first sea dive of the year in Mullaghmoure, Co. Sligo. Early on Sunday morning flasks were filled with hot beverage, sandwiches prepared and cars loaded with gear. Water temperatures were a tropical eight degrees compared to Lough Owel's five degrees and the weather was a glorious sunny day which helped to make the underwater visibility clear.We were lucky enough to have a fly by from the coast guard helicopter, who observed the dive boat to ensure all was in order. All in all a good start to the diving season in the sea. Our club's Diving Officer was left dizzy from the excitement of the success!!!Congratulations to the club Chairman, Marty Williams who recently passed his Moniteur one star instructor examination in Donegal. This is a fantastic achievement which our club and region will benefit greatly from, having another Instructor.The M one star course involves attending a number of lectures and workshops normally at the back end of the year during October/November followed by extensive study.Normally in January you are then required to sit four, one hour written examinations in Physics, Decompression, Physiology and General Knowledge to gain entry to the course.During the course Instructor candidates are taught and mock tested in all the elements of being a successful Diving Instructor which includes, teaching in the classroom, pool and open water.On completion of the course candidates must pass the final hurdle that is the M1 exam/test day.This long and tiring day normally consists of an early start at a swimming pool where the candidates are tested in organising and teaching in a confined water environment.From here it's normally on to the sea, where candidates are tested again only with full gear in an open water environment.After this is finished, it is on to the classroom where the now exhausted candidates must present a CFT module lecture and a non module lecture which they will have researched and created themselves. They then must eagerly wait while the Jury totals the results and hopefully give the good news. Our man had no issues and flew through all the tests. Hopefully he can show such determination on the hurling field for the coming year!Again, well done Marty!