Athlone Sub Aqua Club prepares for AGM after outstanding year

As the winter sets in bringing another dive season to a close, Athlone Sub Aqua Club can look back at 2009 as an outstanding year. Not only did the club have a busy dive season, but it also made significant progress in the development of its facilities and in members advancing their diving qualifications. Despite another disappointing summer, the club managed to find sheltered waters for diving most weekends. The club visited sites not previously explored, including Ballycastle Co. Antrim, where some very exciting diving was enjoyed. In total, over 700 dives were completed by club members. In addition, a large number of divers successfully passed a wide variety of diving examinations. These divers obtained one star, two star, three star, rescue, cox'n and nitrox (mixed gas diving) qualifications, thereby improving their level of skills and expertise. One notable qualification was that achieved by Ruardhri McCormack who became the youngest cox'n in the club this year. Colm O'Reilly, the club's Diving Officer, is taking a break from the club for the year as he heads to the warm waters of Australia. Colm is wished all the best from every member in the club. Bernard Larkin, the club's Snorkelling Officer, did a great job with the club's junior members this year organising activities every Wednesday evening. During the summer months they also visited Ballycastle, Co. Mayo, where they got a taste of snorkelling in the Atlantic. These experiences very thoroughly enjoyed by all of the club's younger members. Thankfully it has been a relatively quiet year for the club's Search and Recovery Unit. This unit were called to assist in search and recovery on a small number of occasions only. Search and recovery training nevertheless proceeded every Saturday morning during the winter months. The club also invested a significant sum in essential search and recovery equipment during the year. Athlone Sub Aqua Club is very thankful to the local community for its financial support towards its search and recovery service. As always the people of Athlone were very generous this year during the club's Church gate and Flag Day collections. A significant donation was received from the organisers of the Kenagh Harvest Festival. This very enjoyable event raised funds for all search and recovery units in the Midlands area this year. Another major fundraiser consisted of Athlone Sub Aqua Club's recent celebration of Arthur's Day. The club got into the spirit of the day by making a delivery of 25 barrels of Guinness to Sean's Bar in the traditional way by water, but with a slight difference! Divers from the club towed these barrels down the River Shannon. This unique event, which was sponsored by Timmy Donovan, the proprietor of Sean's Bar, provided considerable entertainment to on-lookers at the scene. The club are conscious that these difficult economic times may impact on the public's ability to financially support the club. However, any support towards its search and recovery service, no matter how small, is always welcome by the club. Two major landmarks in the club's history were achieved this year. The club developed a new website (www.athlonesubaqua.com). This new website is regarded as being one of the most impressive amongst diving clubs in the country. Its easy to use, has loads of interesting information and images and provides a great insight into the activities of the club. The club also completed phase two of its clubhouse development project. This phase consisted of developing a state of the art training room, meeting room and a search and recovery command centre. These facilities, which were primarily funded through an extremely generous donation received from the Athlone Branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI), were officially opened in September 2009 by Ms Mary O'Rourke T.D. Speakers on the night included the Mayor of Athlone, Mr. Mark Cooney. The training room has been named in memory of Ruth and Walter Borner, who were members of the IWAI when they lost their lives in a tragic drowning accident on Lough Ree some years ago. Athlone Sub Aqua Club would like to thank the local press and radio stations for its publicity throughout the year. This club recognise that this support is vital in terms of promoting Athlone Sub Aqua Club, encouraging new members to join and keeping the public aware of developments within the club. The club's AGM is taking place on Sunday 1st November in the Shamrock Lodge, Hotel, Athlone at 3pm. This meeting presents every member with an opportunity to have a say in how Athlone Sub Aqua Club is run. Members are requested to make every effort to attend.