HORIZON NEWS

February 2008 - The newsletter of FIVE STAR IDC CENTRE New Horizons Dive Centre
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2008 Update
During January we have already had plenty going on at New Horizons whilst putting some exciting things together for the rest of the year. Once again the January Red Sea liveaboard was a great success with everybody having a fantastic time. It was good to see such a mix of divers – some new to this trip alongside a few veterans – everybody enjoying the variety of wrecks and excellent reefs. This trip will certainly be repeated in 2009 (see later for full trip report). 
We have been running pool sessions throughout January and divers have been brushing up their skills for the upcoming season or before they go on holiday and many new divers have been exploring the underwater world for the first time. 
During February we are off to the Red Sea again and even going to Capernwray for a days diving – get out your thermals, your sense of humour and come along for a fun day. 
We have just organised two more foreign trips for 2008 – an amazing trip to South Africa and Mozambique in November and a week in Marsa Alam in the Red Sea in December. 
As always we have a great selection of UK trips and courses (including the IANTD Advanced NITROX course and the new PADI distinctive speciality Twinset Diver). 
You will find updates of trips, courses and gear in this newsletter and please visit our website for further information and all the latest news (www.new-horizon.co.uk). 

Second Hand Equipment
Much of our school gear is sold on a regular basis to make way for new equipment in the coming season. The gear is well maintained. The regulator systems are fully serviced and come with a 3 month warranty – cost new £455 second hand price £249. 
The drysuits have the zips and all seals checked and replaced as necessary and pressure tested. Prices range from £175 - £325 (cost new £537). 
B.C.D.s are also available and range in price from £69 - £109 (cost new £199.95)

Capernwray Diving
On Sunday 17th February we are off to Capernwray for the day for some pleasure diving. If you would like to join us for some fun give us a call to get your name down. Remember that we do have a full gear rental service – no problem in bringing gear along for you. 

UK trips Update
With the days slowly getting longer and following what has, so far, been a mild winter we are looking at giving you opportunities to get diving again. 
See details above for a trip to Capernwray. 
UK sea diving trips are proving more popular than ever but we do have places on a few trips including the following: 

Menai Day trips – Saturday 12th April or Friday 30th May. Hard boat diving – leaving from the Menai Straights to explore the reefs and wrecks around Anglesey. Comfortable boat with a lift to get you back on board. 

St Abbs- 11th-13th July Fantastic scenic diving, suitable for divers of all levels, set in this beautiful unspoilt coastline. Always a popular trip with divers returning year after year. Non diving partners/family also enjoy this weekend. 

Farne Islands – 27th-29th July Enjoy great diving in this beautiful location with a great chance of playing with seals underwater.

Upcoming courses
During the next few weeks we do have a few classroom/pool based courses but it is also time to start looking to furthering your education in the open water as well. 

Emergency First Response Sunday 10th February 10:00 – 16:00
An innovative First Aid/CPR course strongly recommended for all divers. Meets the prerequisites for the Rescue Diver course. Remember you should renew your EFR training every two years – (SAVE £30 if you complete this as a refresher – using your original materials) 

Enriched Air Speciality Tues 12th February 19:00.
Complete the theory element for the NITROX course and then you can make the qualifying open water dives at your convenience. 

Digital Underwater Photography Theory session Weds 20th Feb 19:00.
This classroom session covers the theory element for the PADI speciality. It teaches you the basics of getting good, consistent photos on every dive. It can be followed by pool and/or open water training dives to gain practical experience and achieve the PADI certification. 

Rescue Diver course – starts Sat 23rd February 
The Rescue Diver course is the minimum level we recommend all divers should attain. You will learn self rescue skills; techniques to help and rescue others; how to prevent and if necessary manage emergency situations along with improving your core skills and self confidence. 
In the classroom and pool you will learn and practise your skills before putting them together in the open water in a series of scenarios. Despite the serious nature of the course, it is always enjoyable and great fun. 
It is also possible to do a referral programme whereby you complete the theory and pool exercises in the UK and then the open water scenarios abroad.
Strongly recommended for all Advanced Open water divers. 

Introduction to Dive Computers Tues 04th March 19:00
Learn how to use modern dive computers (Suunto range) safely and get the most from them. Cost just £25 

Equipment Speciality Sunday 09th March 17:00 
This course provides an insight into the care/maintenance of equipment; detailed knowledge on how it works and an opportunity to find out about all the latest gadgets. It is a classroom based course but includes a number of practical activities. 

Advanced Open Water Saturday 05th & Sunday 06th April.
A must do course for all Open Water divers. A fun filled programme of five dives where you learn new skills and practise your old ones under the guidance of an instructor. This qualification opens up many more dives to you on your next trip. 

IANTD Advanced NITROX course
This course is already proving very popular with the first schedule already full. Places are still available on the course on the 27th April and the 4th/5th May. Book early to avoid disappointment. 

Instructor courses
In 2008 we are offering complete instructor programmes at New Horizons. Divemasters can either complete their Assistant Instructor course or do the complete IDC leading them to the Instructor Examinations. The Assistant Instructor course is conveniently being run over the May Bank Holiday weekend (evening Friday 02nd May-Monday 05th May). The full Instructor course then continues for the rest of the week completing on Sunday 11th May. Please register your interest with Roger for these courses as soon as possible.

Social Evening
Monday 03rd March – We are very honoured to have an excellent underwater photographer – Jim Garland – coming to make a presentation on diving Truk Lagoon. All meetings at Macclesfield Rugby Club starting at 20:00. 

For the Kids
Over the last couple of years we have been offering the Seal Team programme for younger members of the family who are keen to join in the fun and do some scuba diving. This is a fun filled course but also very educational and caters for 8-12 year olds who don’t like being left out. Next course starts Saturday 05th April at 18:00 at Wilmslow. 

Foreign trips update
Firstly a report from the Red Sea trip in January and then brief details on two new exciting trips for 2008. Diving the Aquarium by Tony G.
With Christmas spice smells lingering in the nostrils, a 19 strong group of NH divers journeyed to warmer climes of the Egyptian Red Sea, in mid Jan, joining Emperor Divers boat Superior, with regular dive guides Chris & Fefe for the week long trip. This well appointed boat with efficient & happy crew, made for a great time conducting the northern classic cruise of reefs & wrecks. Many were new to the Red Sea liveaboards, and NH became international with 4 Dutch friends onboard. With full sunshine most of the time (one overcast day and some rain), we had warm days & cool nights. A mixture of dry & wet suits, as wind chill factors can sometimes make you feel cooler. Famous wrecks were dived, such as those on Abu Nuhas, Dunraven, and newly buoyed Thistlegorm. This trip saw courses completed including Wreck, Night, Photography, Naturalist & Deep - the latter at 36m on Rosalie Moller. All dives were conducted on Nitrox, with highlights of 30+ dolphins buzzing divers on Gubal Barge, deep drop offs at Shark & Yolanda, coral gardens of Small Passage, fish aggregations of The Aquarium. The glistening Kingston wreck provided everyone with an opportunity to see either white tip reef sharks or turtles, and if you were lucky, a large Spanish Dancer or colourful nudibranch could be seen at night. As always, trips come to an end but the memories linger on in images produced. At the party night of music, fun & dancing Captain Mahmud was the best bongo player! The last night was spent playing killer pool in Papas after the Divers Night at Hedkandi Lounge. Even the last day we managed to relax in a local hotel’s superb fitness facilities. A fitting end to a great trip, and lets wish the next one good fortune also. 

South Africa & Mozambique 01st-15th November 2008
This trip offers you the ultimate shark diving adventure along with the opportunity to have great encounters with manta rays. You will also have the opportunity to see the East coast of South Africa by land and visit Kruger Park. Although the diving can be a little more challenging this will truly be a trip of a lifetime. Diving places limited to nine – book early to avoid disappointment. 

Marsa Alam, Red Sea 03rd-10th December 2008
Marsa Alam is the gateway to the exciting Southern Red Sea and its myriad pristine reefs. This hotel based trip with daily boat diving is ideal for both novice divers and more experienced ones who want to explore famous reefs such as Elphinstone. 

IMPORTANT DATES 2008
10th February Emergency First Response – New Horizons 10:00
12th February NITROX theory session New Horizons 19::00
17th February Capernwray – Pleasure dives
20th February Digital Underwater Photography - New Horizons 19:00
23rd February Rescue Diver course starts
24th February Oxygen First Aid Speciality New Horizons 17:00
03rd March Social evening 20:00 at Macclesfield Rugby Club
04th March Introduction to Dive Computers - New Horizons 19:00
09th March Equipment Speciality – New Horizons 09:00
12th March Delayed SMB training – pool session Sandbach 19:30
15th March Capernwray – Open water course, National Geographic Spec, SMB spec and Pleasure dives 17th March Capernwray – Open water course; Rescue course; Drysuit speciality and Pleasure dives
26th March Sea Scooter (DPV) pool session 19:30 at Sandbach
30th March Advanced NITROX course starts
05th/06th April Stoney Cove – First Advanced Open Water course 2008
12th April Menai day trip – hard boat diving
11th-13th July St Abbs weekend
27th-29th July Farne Island trip
01st-15th Nov South Africa/Mozambique trip
03rd-10th Dec Marsa Alam, Red Sea trip

Congratulations: the following people have qualified as follows:
Open Water referral
Simon Corless 

Master Seal Team
Nathan Leigh 

Divemaster
Pippa Ridgeway 

Specialties
Grant Shuttleworth x 2
Debi Patrick x 3
Tony New
Catherine Dallow
Pippa Ridgeway x 3
Kathryn Oldham
Robert Laing
Alan Broadhurst

New Horizons Dive Centre Ltd
51-53, Park Lane, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 6TX
T 01625 611108 F 01625 611969 e-mail: info@new-horizon.co.uk website: www.new-horizon.co.uk