North Scotland Regional News
Ken Farrow
We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our friend and fellow club member, Ken Farrow. Ken died shortly after surfacing from a dive with his wife, Alison, in Orkney on Monday 2 June 2008 They were diving at Noup Head, Westray, Northern Isles.
Alison said that if Ken had written the script for his departure himself he couldn't have done better, Coastguard, Helicopter, Lifeboat, the lot, he certainly got his monies worth, and such a beautiful place to just sit on a rock and go.
Ken was an ex Regional Coach for Scotland, former BSAC Vice Chairman, NDC Member, chairman of SCOTFED and was a First Class Diver and National Instructor. He was also a very accomplished writer and photographer, never being spotted without a camera round his neck either above or below the water! He was a mentor, role model and great inspiration to me, along with many others over the years. He was always there with encouragement but also full of mischief and fun.
Whilst Ken had achieved all there was to do in diving, he never lost his infectious enthusiasm, which rubbed off on others around him.
Ken had a great passion for wherever he was and between dives, would take time to paint, take photographs or wander around taking more photographs!
The world is a poorer place without Ken Farrow in it and he will be greatly missed by his wife and diving buddy, Alison as well as his many friends, colleagues and those who have had the pleasure of working or diving with Ken in the BSAC over many years.
On behalf of us all, our condolences to Alison at this difficult time.
Dave Sydenham, former Regional Coach, North Scotland
New Regional Coach for 2008
North Scotland has a new Regional Coach! - Sarah Conner has taken the role on, stepping up from her previous role as Tayside Area Coach. Sarah is an Advanced Instructor and will be working on the Instructor Trainer circuit teaching others to become BSAC Instructors. Sarah brings unrivalled enthusiasm to the job as well as a wealth of experience of different types of diving being not only a keen instructor of new divers but also enjoys rebreather, trimix and cave diving!
Situations Vacant - Coaching Team Members
Although we have a great team of people, we are always on the lookout for new volunteers. To join the team in an instructing role you should ideally be minimum of Open Water Instructor, however there may be other roles available to non-instructors who are keen to get involved. This could be producing a newsletter, fundraising, other events organiser, etc. We would like someone to take on the role of Dive Leader Training Coordinator, and REDS Coordinator. We also could do with contacts/ Area Coaches in the north, Wick, Thurso, Lewis and Shetland direction.
If you feel you could offer anything please contact the Regional Coach at scotland.north.coach@bsac.com
Extended Range Diver Course
North Scotland ran a very successful Extended Range Diver Course at Lochaline in November during which time we qualified two new ERD Instructors which will allow us to make this an annual event on our Programme of Events. Additional Courses may be added if there is sufficient demand. If you are interested in taking part in the next one or would like to enquire about any additional ERD courses please contact the Regional Coach. Details of the course can be found here.
Congratulations to new Instructors!
Congratulations go out to Sarah Conner and Janine Sydenham on passing their Advanced Instructor practical exams at Cumbrae recently. They now plan to embark on the ITDC on route to becoming Instructor Trainers so look out for them on the next IFC!
Very well done also to all those who succesfully acheived Open Water Instructor at the recent exam held at Lochaline. A very eventful weekend was had by all! Aboyne branch in particular will now be spoilt for instructors with no less than three new OWI's. Well done all!
Congratulations to new First Class Diver
Well done to Paul Haynes on achieving his First Class Diver award following success in his Theory exam, Practical exam and submission of his Expedition plan. Paul will be available with Dave and Jim next year to assist and advise those considering the FCD exam in 2008.
Branch Visits
We are now getting to that time of year again where your Regional and Area Coaches like to pop along for a beer and a blether! We have already visited a number of branches over the last few months however we would like to try and keep in touch with as many of you as we can. If you have not had a visit lately (or even if you have) but would like one please contact your Area Coach by email from the 'Meet the Team' page or email Sarah at scotland.north.coach@bsac.com to arrange.
Advanced Diver Course
The annual regional Advanced Diver course will be running again shortly for any Dive Leaders interested in progressing. It looks likely it will be run in both Aberdeen and Dundee with possibilities elsewhere if there is sufficient interest. Once dates and venues have been decided they will be posted here and also on the Yahoo Groups. So watch this space. Meantime if you are interested in taking part or instructing on this please email scotland.north.coach@bsac.com.
Skill Development Course Instructors Required
The Coaching Team are looking for any volunteer Instructors to assist with the running of Regional Skill Development Courses. In particular we need qualified Boat Handling Instructors and Diver Cox'n Assessors although we would welcome assistance on any SDC.
If you are an OWI or above and are interested in getting involved with the team or helping out so that you can run your own 'in-house' SDC's in your branches please contact either the Regional Coach or your Area Coach for further details. All welcome.
Instructor Exam Prep Sessions
With a number of active Instructor Trainers in the Region, we are looking at offering Instructor Exam prep sessions to any candidates considering the Theory or Practical Instructor Exams.
We can offer advice in preparing for the exams and also give you the opportunity to plan, prepare and present lessons and receive feedback from both your fellow candidates and also from those who are actually working as Examiners on the ITS circuit to give you the best possible chance of succeeding. These sessions can be arranged to suit and at a minimal charge to cover the Instructors expenses. Please contact your Area or Regional Coach for details.
First Class Diver Prep
With a number of members considering First Class Diver the region is available to offer support and advice from helping to organise study groups to providing First Class Divers to help mentor candidates during weekend prep sessions where we can offer the opportunity to run through similar skills and scenarios to those they may encounter on the exam.
What is your branch doing?
As well as being here to keep members informed about the activities of the Coaching Team we also want to show what our braches are doing. Please let us know if your branch is doing anything we can add to our 'News' page whether it be Try-Dives, buying a new boat, expeditions, whatever. It is about you too!