Sea conditions returned to better conditions last Sunday after a sustained period of winter weather that included sub-zero temperatures, snow and a northerly storm that had clearly left its mark behind in PortnaBlagh.
While the air temperature still hovered close to freezing there were clear skies and no wind, which didn’t feel quite a raw for the divers getting changed at the pier.
In the water, the divers were able to avail of a calm sea, but the temperature is now down to seven degrees Celsius and there was no horizontal visibility as a result of the sea bed sediment held in suspension by the huge Atlantic swells that had previously sheared the Port Navigation marker clean of is base.
Nonetheless, the divers put in a vigorous snorkel led by Dive Officer of the Day, Damien Kelly, across the bay to the golf course and back, with a few free dives to 7 metres along the way, just to reboot the system as it were.
After the exercise, there was the reward of a welcome breakfast in Lizzies, where the reminiscences of past dives both local and foreign were told and plans for the new dive year ahead were plotted.
With local sites of Horn Head, Tory and Melmore Head just waiting for a return to better weather and the discussion then turned to trips to Mayo or maybe a new destination along the Irish coast being considered, all of which are within a relatively easy towing distance for the clubs fleet of dive boats.
Further afield some club members are counting down the days until they get to travel to the Red Sea and no doubt will have stories to tell of ‘looking into the blue’ in water temperature far closer to 20 degrees than what we currently have in Donegal.
For anyone who would want to be part of these adventures now is the time to get started by checking out the Sheephaven Facebook page and following up with the contact details posted there.
In addition to a new draft of trainees being prepared for 2019 Sheephaven SAC is open to returning divers and divers who wish to cross over from other affiliations.
Some people have had the opportunity to do some diving while broad and want to be part of an established structure that can provide regular diving throughout the year and in Sheephaven SAC they can avail of that opportunity.
Finally, it is with great sadness that Sheephaven SAC have heard of the sudden passing of a previous club member, Tony Wilkinson.
Tony dived with Sheephaven in the late 1990’s and had never given up hope of getting involved again in club activities; sadly this was not to be.
In addition to Tony having had two careers, one as public servant, the other as an Archaeologist he was a renowned musician and he is fondly remembered for sharing this talent with his fellow divers while on a dive holiday to Egypt.
Sheephaven SAC expresses their sincere condolences to Tony’s family and wide circle of friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílís.
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