The mid-summer sun was shining, the water was flat and seven of us were off to sea on Cobra, out from her summer mooring in Portsmouth. Demonstration of fine teamwork when the broken fuel line needed a quick remedy – a hose protector is a handy bit of kit for more than just a demand valve!

Great day out on flat calm seas and lovely diving on this shallow and sheltered wreck, ideal for several members getting back into the water after a bit of a gap. The Camswan was a 100m long British steamer who went down on her maiden voyage in 1917 following a collision with another ship off the Isle of Wight.

Two groups of members tried their hand at flying a spitfire at the Spitfire simulator experience in Sussex – amazing to be immersed in the cockpit of this iconic plane! Thanks to Rob for organising a very different activity!

Members enjoyed a day out test-running Cobra before she goes for her 2018 summer stay in the marina.

Lots of practice rescues in the early 2018 pool training sessions – part of the progression from open water diver to the SAA Club Diver qualification.

Churt Club makes a lovely meeting place for us on a Thursday evening when we’re not at the pool – warm, comfy chairs, great value beer and a friendly welcome from behind the bar!

Several members and guests were in the water for our final pool session of 2017, perfecting mask clearance, buoyancy control and rescue lifts.

Congratulations to Liz who has just been signed off as a Seasearch Observer Diver after completing some great qualifying Seasearch forms from five of her dives during the 2017 season – including this day back in August when she, Francis and Bryony joined Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Seasearch survey dives off Eastbourne.

On our Thursday Club gathering at the end of November Bryony gave a presentation on Seasearch as a great way to add extra interest and purpose to any dive – by recording the wildlife and contributing towards its protection.

A convivial curry as the club’s latest social, with Darren and Mandy reappearing after their exciting travels!

Congratulations to David, awarded HSAC’s ‘Member of the Year’ award at our AGM for all his work on the boat engines throughout the year. Churt Club’s hall was a great venue for reviewing the year’s diving activity – from Eastbourne to the Isles of Scilly – and lining up the committee and looking forward to 2018.