South East Regional Weekend – Report

Jul 11 2013 Posted by Office Administraton


South East Dive Rally 2013 The sunny south east was the place to be last weekend with over 150 divers making the trip from all corners of the country to dive the Hook Peninsula. The rally was the first of its kind in the region in over 30 years. The event was staged at the Hook Sub Aqua Clubs club house just around the corner from Slade Harbour. The three other clubs in the region, Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny Sub Aqua Clubs also helped to host the event. Organisers from all four clubs had been working hard over the past few months in the hopes that this would be one of the best events in the dive season. The attendance far exceeded their expectations with over 70 divers registered by Friday night!

Diving began Friday evening with two full boats heading to the Girl Arlene for a night dive. Thirty other divers decide to try a shore dive in Tower Hole. With crystal clear waters and an abundance of marine life many divers reported that they had never seen conditions so good! As the sun rose on Saturday morning for another hot day everyone could appreciate the size of the event. The large grounds of the Hook Sub Aqua Club were buzzing with boats preparing to be launched by the tractor, (Hook style!), divers readying their gear and a campers cooking breakfast and enjoying the sunshine.

Divers were spoilt for choice with 11 dive sites in total. These included, wreck dives to the Girl Arlene, Harry’s Wreck and the Lismore, drift dives to Big and Western Rock and shore dives to Tower Hole, The Bathtub and Churchtown. Nine boats ferried divers from early morning until evening. Boats were kindly supplied by Hook, Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Omega, Atlantis and Dundalk Sub Aqua Clubs. There was also a speciality photography dive organised by Wexfords Ivan Donoghue and a Sea Search Dive organised by Kilkennys Ken Maye. For lunch, a mouth watering BBQ was served up. That evening divers tested their wits against each other in a charity table quiz held in Templers Inn, followed by dancing into the early hours.

With the sunshine and clear waters holding out for Sunday, it was another early start. Divers were keen for their last opportunity to dive some of the most beautiful sights in Ireland. By afternoon many had begun to pack their things and start the long journey home. A small group stayed for one last glorious dive to the blowholes in Churchtown. To everyone who made the journey to come to the south east for this very special weekend we thank you. We would also like to thank the clubs who brought boats as we could not have done without you. A special mention is deserved to the members of Kilkenny and Dundalk Sac who filled over 100 bottles over the weekend! To all those who generously gave up their own time and dives to drive boats, the tractor and generally help out we thanks you. We are already looking forward to the South East Dive Rally 2014!

se dive rally