Ras al-Hamra Sub Aqua Club BSAC BRANCH 1299s

RAHSAC celebrates 30th Anniversary

On 19th May 1982 the Ras Al Hamra Sub-Aqua Club was founded as a section of the Ras Al Hamra Recreation Club and as branch 1299 of the British Sub-Aqua Club. Some people who were instrumental in the formation of the club were Richard Keech, Mike Butcher, John Elder and Frances Green. Consisting of around 15 members, the dive club had sponsorship from the Recreation Club and could buy some dive tanks, regulators and most important, a compressor. Since formation we have seen hundreds of divers passing through the club; as a club our membership tends to change every four years as people change postings. We have also trained hundreds of divers to become good divers and many up to instructor levels. The club has had its ups and downs with membership shrinking and expanding, restricted by regulations and discovering new dive sites. We have always been supported by the RAH Recreation Club and its committee with finance for equipment, boats and compressors. We have also supported the club during sailing and swimming events and other occasions. At present RAHSAC is a large healthy diving club with about 100 members, instructors, boats, compressors, gas blending facilities and everything that an adventurous diver needs.

These two pictures show how the club has developed, from owning a Rubber Duck (see picture above) to operating three seaworthy dive boats. (See picture left)

In May we will celebrate our 30th Birthday, a milestone in the club’s history with a celebration dinner on 16th May and with diving activities on 19th May.

If you are interested in the RAHSAC history, stories and pictures, visit www.vanderschot.com/RAHSAC30

Other RAHSAC diving news

RAHSAC AGM – The 2012 Annual General Meeting of RAHSAC will be held on Tuesday 24th April in the Falcon Room at 7.30pm. This is your opportunity to hear reports from the committee regarding club business over the previous twelve months, to elect the incoming committee for 2012-2013 and to voice your opinions on all matters relating to the club. We encourage all members to support the event.

SHARKWATER – On 16th April we organised a very successful screening of the award winning film “SHARKWATER”. Filmmaker Rob Stewart’s exploration of sharks started as an underwater adventure but turned into a beautiful and dangerous life journey into the balance of life on earth. There were over one hundred members watching the movie and hopefully they have learned that sharks are not bloodthirsty man-eating monsters and how important sharks are in the world food chain.

WEEKLY MEETINGS (DFP) – we continue our weekly dive meetings (DFP) on Tuesdays at the boat club starting at 8 o’clock (PM). We come for a chat and a drink and to plan the dives for the following week. Come join us there, meet the divers and learn more about the diving activities.

WANT TO LEARN DIVING? – We offer a full range of diving courses starting at Ocean Diver level. A new course is planned for the month of October. Contact our training officer, Angela Hadfield, (97109068) for more information. Already a diver? Join us to explore the wonderful diving conditions in Oman. Contact our membership secretary, Kirsten Leverton (96402408) or come to the weekly dive meeting on Tuesdays.

OTHER TRAINING- Our Training Officer and Instructors have been busy recently running Sports Diver and Dive Leader courses, our divers are always looking to improve and advance their skills.

NETCLEARING – Underwater we find more and more lost fishing nets that cover the coral and the sea bed. These nets are not only damaging the coral but also trap and kill fish and other sea animals. Together with the Ministry of Environment we help to clear those nets from the sea. This is a big task as some nets are really large or deep. We try to float the nets using plastic bags and cut them carefully from the coral. In this way we try to help preserve the reefs and to make the sea look nicer for divers. (Right, net clearing)

MEET OUR COMMITTEE – Chairman Gerard van der Schot, 99226090, [email protected] Secretary: Katherine Norris, 96788443, [email protected] Treasurer: Joanna Williams, 98979040, [email protected] Diving Officer: Neil Hadfield, 97109103, [email protected]

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND FORUM – http://diving.pdorc.com/index.php For all the diving news and further details of our 30th Birthday Celebration Dinner and 30th Birthday Celebration Diving. You don’t have to be a member to join the website, but it helps.