Update on Joel

SSI Instructor Joel is halfway through his Offshore Occupational Diving Course at The Underwater Centre in Tasmania.

Recent email from Joel: "Now we are half way through part 2 it's getting easier to set the divesite up as we can all put the hats, comms, panels, surface supply compressors & hyperbaric chambers together, our experience levels are getting quicker & better. Rescue training as standby divers was tough, we had to get our full face hats on & be in the water from the pontoon seat within 7 seconds & get down to 15 metres depth find a hiding diver, flush their hat & bring them to the surface within 1 min 30 seconds, while giving a running commentary over the comms with a video camera bolted on top of our hats!!!!"

Sunset off Kata Beach April 2008

This lovely sunset pic was taken off Kata Beach 2 days ago by Michele Scarpa from Switzerland. Michele is presently diving with us and is the only person we know who has been diving for over 45 years. She is a complete diveaholic!

Koh Pu or Crab island is featured in the background. This island located only 5 minutes away by longtail boat is 1 of our favourite local dive sites.

St George's Day Supper at The Green Man!

On Wednesday 23rd we celebrated Saint George's Day with a lavish dinner and recitations at The Green Man.

Some of us discovered (Rachel "Steamboat Filly" and Simon for example) that we are really great vocalists whilst some discovered they were less fortunate (won't mention who).

Here you can see Howard reciting his rendition of Albert and The Lion.
by Marriott Edgar.

Supper consisted of a Smoked Salmon Starter, Pea & Ham Soup, Steak & Kidney Pudding followed by Summer Pudding. Needless to say copious quantities of alcohol were consumed as well. We all left in very good spirits.

Thanks to Howard, Khun Nui and their crew for a wonderful evening. Nothing lacked in the decor, dinner and the entertainment!

Sawatdee Bpee Mai!

Every year we celebrate 3 New Years. The Western New Year, Chinese New Year and the Thai New Year or Songkran. This is known as The Water Festival and starts every year on the 13th April. This festival can last for anything between 3 days to a week depending on what part of Thailand. Here in Kata, Phuket we celebrate it for only 1 day.

This tradition of gently pouring water over each other is to wash away the bad luck and to wish good luck and prosperity.

It is not always gentle and many people hurl coloured or iced water over the crowds. Here you can see our neighbour's daughter - Jaa - being very mean with her water pistol. Actually she is really an Angel. Always happy and smiling.

This year we were boring and went to our local watering hole for a traditional lunch. Old Club Member (not in age) Greg Pancerev from the USA was there to join us and he took these lovely pics. Greg did his Open Water Course with us 10 years ago and completed his Advanced course a couple of years ago.




On the left is his photo of a Scorpion Fish and below a Mantis Shrimp peeking out from his home. Both photos taken recently at Koh Doc Mai.

Simon's Big Four O

We had a great evening at Simon's 40th birthday bash. The party was held at a newly opened venue in Kata - the Tapas and Wine Bar. Phuket's first Tapas bar.

Owner Mona Fristedt who has worked in the Diving Industry for many years made a delicious Smorgastorta (Swedish savoury cake) for Simon. Delicious!

In the above pic Simon is seen chatting with Frank the Tank whilst Mona is slicing the cake for all the eager guests.

Happy Scuba Diver!

Congratulations to 10 year old Nikolai from Norway. He has just been certified as a Scuba Diver!
Here he is seen with his Instructor Rachel and Divemaster Candidate Hon from Malaysia.

Free Dental work at The Similans!

No need to go to the Dentist anymore. Come and dive with us at The Similans and let the resident Cleaner Wrasse clean your teeth.

Here diver Jools took his own photograph whilst the Wrasse was doing it's hard work.

Jools and his wife Brenda recently returned from an enjoyable trip on MV Daranee.

SSI Instructor Trainer - Simon Speight

For those of you who have been wanting to do the SSI Cross Over check out Instructor Trainer Simon Speight's new website at www.ssi-phuket.com

Simon has been working on a off with the club for 12 years. He has taught 1000's of people how to dive and has been an SSI Instructor Trainer for over 5 years.

Another Divemonster!

Congratulations to Claire Li from Guangzhou China for successfully passing her Divemaster Course at the club.

Here she is seen celebrating her graduation by scoffing her favourite food. Pizza with double cheese and salami.

She is so much part of the club and the team will really miss her. Wishing Claire all the very best with her future ventures.

Giant Jellyfish

Paula Piilonen from Canada found this new dive buddy recently at Sharkpoint.

It seems that we have created a Divemonster with Paula. She did her Open Water Course with the club and was so impressed with scuba diving that she went on to complete her Advanced Course with Joel.

Well done Paula and wishing you many happy dives. Hope to see you soon again.