At the end of June, the final segment of the Diving Ireland leadership pilot programme (Moniteur***) was held in Knightstown in Co. Kerry over 5 days. Four candidates took part in the programme over the past year and were successful in achieving their Moniteur*** certificate at the end of the event. The candidates were:

Liam Strachan – Galway University SAC, West Region
Maja Stankovski – Dalkey SAC, Dublin South Region
Niall Keating – Kilkee SAC & University of Limerick SAC,  South West Region
Richard O‘Donnell – Inbher Sceine SAC & University of Limerick SAC, South West Region
 
This segment was focused on the role of the Moniteur***, which as part of the pilot, pivoted the focus of the programmes from diving skills and dive organisational skills, more towards instruction and assessment skills. The change in focus aligns the programme to the CMAS standard and utilises the skillset from the Sport Ireland adventure sports coaching and instruction framework.

During the event, candidates took on roles as Course Director, Jury President, Leading Instructor and Juror which meant that candidates and jurors had to switch hats regularly as they worked through the various mock exercises.
 
Sport Ireland provided sponsorship for the event and during the programme and Shane Califf, the Director of Organisational Development and Change delivered a half-day workshop on how Sport Ireland and NGBs interact which all members in attendance thoroughly enjoyed and engaged in.

It is a testament to Diving Ireland’s training and standards to have the programme sponsored by Sport Ireland in this way and we are very grateful to Sport Ireland for their support.
 
The Montieur*** grade is Diving Ireland’s leading instructor grade. Those holding the grade can take up roles such as Jury President on assessments, Course Director on instructor training programmes and National Diving Officer.
 
Congratulations again to all the new Leading Instructors. Diving Ireland are very lucky to have you!

#WeAreDivingIreland

Members of the executive and snorkelling commission were with Ministers Padraig O’Donovan & Charlie McConologue today at the announcement of the Women in Sport Funding programme of €4,000,000.

Diving Ireland are proud of the work our members have done with the women in sport program. The funding provided by @sportireland has allowed our current female and new female members to learn / expand their underwater skills in the world of scuba diving, snorkelling, freediving and underwater hockey.

We very much look forward to the recent announcement of the new funding and what it will bring for our future and current female members.

#WeAreDivingIreland

We at Diving Ireland are so proud that @huntertravel from the @irish_freediving_club represented Ireland in the @cmasorg world championship freediving indoor competition.

Here’s what Kathy had to say;

Post-World Championship Reflection

I’m home from the World Championships—feeling tired, proud, and still letting it all sink in.

This was my first ever competition where I received four white cards. That might not mean much to everyone, but to me, it means everything.

In past comps, I’ve often pushed too hard chasing numbers, only to end up with red cards—usually due to surface protocol errors or surface blackouts. I didn’t grow up in a sporting or competitive environment, and nerves often got the better of me. This time, I didn’t hit the numbers I had in mind. But for once, that doesn’t take away from the pride I feel. I know I gave it my best. And it’s taken me four years to arrive at that kind of acceptance.

Freediving—especially competing in freediving—has taught me so much about myself. I’m finally learning how to enjoy the journey and I encourage everyone to do the same.

This competition was also special for another reason: I was the first freediver to represent Ireland at a World Championship pool competition. No pressure!! 😅

My DNF dive ended at 84m after an accidental hyperventilation (thanks nerves). I usually get contractions around 35m, but at 50m I still felt nothing and thought: Wow, this is going to be such a nice dive… I’ll pass 100m easily. But it was over at 84m—and I’m so glad I listened to my body rather than chasing numbers as I had a slight LMC coming up, and anything more would’ve meant a red card. That white card meant more than a failed PB.

By the final day, the jet lag had lifted and I was ready to go! I finished with a national record of 142.5m. for DYN using my bifins.

It’s exciting to see the Irish freediving community growing, and I really hope it won’t be long before we’re travelling as a team—with many more freedivers representing Ireland on the world stage

#WeAreDivingIreland

The Dublin North & South Regional Assessments were held over the weekend. 39 members turned out for the weekend from 10 different clubs. The candidates were from DCU, Omega, Alpha Dive and Curragh Sub Aqua clubs.

Overall Diving Ireland are delighted to have gained;

9 new Rescue divers
3 new Diver 2**
2 new Mon 2’s

A big thank you to all the examiners and organisers for all the amazing work to make the weekend happen.

#WeAreDivingIreland

South West Dive Rally 2025

What an incredible event, over 150 Divers, Snorkelers and Freedivers all in Knightstown Co.Kerry.

Plenty of clubs headed to the Skelligs over the weekend with rumours of Star Wars songs being sang along the way.

For others it was exploring the Valentia coastline with all the amazing dive sites it had to offer.

Then it was back to the local hotel for a talk on basking sharks and a good social catch up with all our Diving Ireland members.

Thank you to @kerrysubaqua for hosting a great dive rally we can’t wait for 2026 already!

#WeAreDivingIreland