DOUTS Events

Relaxing Shore Dive (4 Sep 2010)

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Lets get wet again dive morning

Been a while since you've been for a dive? Just finished your Open Water certification & feel you'd like to dive with a very experienced diver to reconfirm your skills?

An opportunity for you have a morning dive in the quiet confined waters at Shelly Beach.

Marko Tomic will spend the time you need to make sure you are happy with using your dive gear & have a relaxing dive.

This will include gearing up, making sure your gear is adjusted correctly to fit you, you can practice your skills in the water, tips on navigation etc.

Shelly Beach has a lot of great things to see so it is an interesting as well as a stess free dive.

Easy to get to if you are transport challenged. Just take the ferry to Manly and walk across to Shelly Beach. This will take ~ 20 mins.

There is NO charge for participating in the shore dive. Hire gear and airfill (if required) will be at the normal DOUTS rates.

If you require mask/fins &/or a wetsuit we have to hire (and pay for) these from a dive shop on your behalf. Therefore can please pay for your mask/fins &/or wetsiut AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION.

Please book on line or email communications(at)douts.org with any questions.

Please note that we only have a limited amount of gear available for hire so please book your needs early so your hire gear needs can be arranged.

Close off for booking hire gear is Thursday 2nd September. Email training(at)douts.org with any hire gear queries.

magic point dive (11 Sep 2010)

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Summary

2.00pm dive only - all others BOOKED OUT

BOOKINGS WILL BE TAKEN FOR AFTERNOON DIVES (2.00pm)

Best chance to see Grey Nurse sharks
Multiple trips from Long Bay - accessible by public transport
BBQ included in cost
deposit $10
bring your C card

Magic Point is a sea cave South of sydney Harbour that has a big reputation for Grey Nurse Sharks, a harmless and protected species. ...As well as other sea life.

'Apart from the sharks, there are some giant cuttlefish, including a very aggressive one when I first dived there, sea dragons galore, giant rays and huge schools of yellowtail. Visibility on my dives here has been between 15 and 20 metres. "

see http://www.michaelmcfadyenscuba.info/viewpage.php?page_id=302

When we last dived here in Autumn this trip booked out quickly. All saw the sharks.

Magic Point is suitable for open water and advanced. Depths are relatively shallow at Magic Point (5-17 metres). We will run a number of dives with the pick up point being the beach at the end of Long Bay. First dive departs at 8.00am, then at 10.00 and 12.00 and later dives if enough people want them.

Your first dive will be $35 including bbq, subsequent dives at normal rates. Because we have to cover petrol and food costs, if you dont turn up, you forfeit your deposit unless the day is cancelled due to weather. But thats only a measly $10 to reserve your spot to see the Sharks.

There is also shore diving and shallow wrecks in Long Bay. We expect most divers to get a couple of dives in!

Its a long way South - just over 22 km by boat each way. Hence to make this viable we will be charging a bit extra for petrol but you also get a sausage sizzle included. Your second dive will be at standard prices. If sea and weather conditions are not excellent we will run a closer dive from Tunks Park, location to be decided on the day.

Hire gear will be available at club prices, $5 per item (limited tanks)

The Club will provide something hot to eat ( BBQ), which will be available for all divers. For more info contact rob laird at rlaird@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au (captain) but don't delay your booking

Reserve your spot on this popular dive site with a deposit of $10 NOW.

Double Dive: members' choice and/or best option on the day (18 Sep 2010)

Sat, 18 Sep 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Double dive: Your choice and/or best on day!

Double dive either inside or outside Sydney Harbour, depending on conditions on the day and members' preferences. Dives will be suitable for all levels of experience.

Pick up is at Tunks Park at 8.30 a.m. Pick up at Clontarf on the way out will be available, if necessary. For those doing the second dive only, pick up will be at Little Manly at approximately 11.15 a.m.

Please bring nibbles and a drink for between dives.

There is a maximum of 8 spots available on each dive, so please register your interest online.

Harbour dives will be at the usual rate. Dives further away e.g. DY or Bondi Wall, etc. will be $30 for the first dive, with the second dive at the usual rate. For those only doing the second dive, it is recommended that you stay in phone contact with Diego on the day as pick up times for the second dive are approximate only.

For further information about the dives and gear hire, please contact Diego Mainou on 0415 152 091.

Port Stephens weekend (24 Sep 2010)

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Port Stephens is about 2.5 hours North of Sydney and is a stunning harbour area.

Transport is available ( mini bus ) and we will have our dive boat there. Accommodation will be camping at the Halifax Park Caravan park. Beg, borrow or steal camping gear, this is a trip worth it. Some private gear is available such as small tents and mattresses. Sat night BBQ included !

Diving. Dolphins. Beaches. Whale (maybe), surf (we'll bring some body boards), bike hire, bushwalks and the most scenic coffee shop.

Camping cost $20 per night includes BBQ on sat night.

Towing fee for boat $40, payable on first dive

Dives at normal rates. $30 long distance, $20 and $10 under 10 km boat travel.

Option of staying Sunday night and returning in the truck after diving on Monday. (limited to 4 seats)

Great shore dives and offshore boat dives. Open water level.

This is one weekend you must not miss. This is dependent on getting at least 6 people quickly.

Your deposit goes towards our booking cost for arranging this trip and is not refundable unless we find someone to replace you.

The diving

The Looking Glass is one of the classic dives in NSW. A split through the Island leads to another world.

This dive is usually done from the western side of the island although you can do it from the eastern side. The crack is about 5 to 10 metres wide (depending on where you are) and it runs for 40 or 50 metres right through the narrow island. The crack extends above the water for the most part. The depth is around 18 meters to 12 metres, deepens a bit to 15 and then 18 metres at the far end of the crack on the other side of the island. There is a swim-through inside the opening to the crack (a cave within a cave). The fishlife is quite good and the visibility also good. Grey Nurse sharks are often seen on the Western side.

After a first dive at Broughton Island, you normally go to Esmeralda Cove or one of the small beaches on the southern side of the larger island. Esmeralda Cove has are fishing huts and camping sites and looks absolutely fantastic. There are other protected places to have a cup of tea or coffee and a snack as well as a swim in the blue water.

A second dive can be at Broughton Island or The Oakland wreck on the way back to Port Stephens

Other dives are shore dives. Halifax Park Marine reserve and Fly Point ( no flys, lots of fish) are listed in the top 10 shore dives in Australia.

Just look at the options at Port Stephens http://www.michaelmcfadyenscuba.info/viewpage.php?page_id=2#portstephens

Dolphins abound in the Bay and the water is clear and blue. You can dive or snorkel, walk to the top of the headland for some outstanding views, take a ferry ride across the Bay to see the Dolphins up close and explore Tea gardens, or simply relax on the beach, have a swim and enjoy the great company of other Doutsies.

Book now. More details email rlaird@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or phone 0422633126 after 3.15pm

trip with uts bus (25 Sep 2010)

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

uts bus available and booked for douts. stay tuned for details

most likely a trip to port stephens including transport. great for those wanting to beach, dive, surf, dolphin watch and generally celebrate

Dive with SEALS at Montague Island - Transport Provided - 1 SPOT LEFT (23 Oct 2010)

Sat, 23 Oct 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Narooma is situated on the coast and is 4 hours south of Sydney, 3hours from Canberra and 8 hours from Melbourne. Nestled on the pristine waterway of Wagonga Inlet, it is surrounded by National Parks, State Forests and beautiful beaches.

Montague Island is situated about 9km offshore on the overlap of oceanic zones resulting in a multitude of tropical, sub-tropical and cold water species. Here you will find at various times of the year Manta Rays, Seals, Wobbegongs, Seals, Bull Rays, Seals, Turtles, Seals, Port Jackson, Seals, Grey Nurse sharks and Seals. Various dive sites have hard or soft corals, sea tulips and exquisite fans.

There are two seal colonies at Montague Island. In winter and spring there may be a total of 1500 of these furry creatures lounging around the rocks and frolicking in the water. Many of them migrate, but there remains a core of 100 or so all year. It is a non-breeding colony and the pups we see there are not newborns, (only 2 in the last 5 years) so there is No dangerous shark problem. These cheeky, inquisitive animals with their big brown eyes are usually not at all shy with small dive groups and will come right over to the divers. They are amazing to watch as they play together - spinning , twirling, diving - one instant there, the next they are gone.

We will be staying at Narooma caravan park in 3bdr cabin.
All linen, doonas/blankets & towels supplied.
Full ensuite, sofa, stove, oven, microwave & BBQ.

The plan is to depart Sydney at 3pm, Friday 28th of May.
Bus pickup at UTS tower building.
Double dive with seals on Saturday morning (must be at the wharf at 8:00AM).
BBQ on Saturday arvo, or perhaps go out and have some local bistro food ;)
Double boat dive on Sunday morning.
Quick lunch in Narooma, then drive back to Sydney. We should be back in Sydney by 6pm.

Total Cost for this trip is $320 which includes:
- Transport in a UTS bus
- 4 boat dives with Australian Fur Seals! Last 2 dives could be done elsewhere, if you get tired of playing with seals. They certainly won't get tired of playing with you. We can decide this on the day.
- 2 nights accommodation in a 3br waterfront cabin that sleeps 8. 2 rooms with bunk beds and 1 with queen bed.

The price is based on you bringing your own gear. Gear hire is available from DOUTS for $5 per item + $10 airfills in Narooma.

Seal diving at Montague Island is suitable for all diver levels. However, it is desirable that you have Advanced certification since all dives are done off a boat. Seals stay close to the rocks where the average depth is around 14m, but you can quickly find yourself in 30m of water above you if you move further away from the rocks.

The maximum number of divers we can take on this trip is 8. Secure your spot now by registering online with a $50 deposit.

Specify your gear requirements/sizes on the registration form.

For inquiries, contact Marko Tomic communications(at)douts.org
mob: 0414 814 223

DOUTS Annual Christmas Party (21 Nov 2010)

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 21:00:00 GMT

DOUTS Annual Christmas Party: diving and BBQ

Come and celebrate the festive season with a bit of shore diving and/or social activity. Bring your party hat and festive spirit, we'll do the rest.

Where: Clifton Gardens (look for the DOUTS banner, table, BBQ, etc.)

When: Sunday 21 November, 5 p.m. onwards

Price: members - $15 for BBQ & drinks, $10 for bus transport, gear hire available at usual rates. If you want to bring a guest, that's fine. Prices for guests are $20 for BBQ, $12 for bus transport. Get in early for bus transport as spaces are limited.

The bus will be leaving UTS at approximately 4 p.m. for Clifton Gardens and returning to UTS around 9 p.m.

Contact Rose Saltman at rose(at)rmplanning.com.au for further information.

trip with uts bus (4 Dec 2010)

Sat, 04 Dec 2010 05:00:00 GMT

uts bus available and booked for douts. bus booked from friday afternoon to late sunday. stay tuned for details

most likely a trip just outside sydney including transport.

Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard Cruise - NOW FULLY BOOKED (7 Dec 2010)

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 21:00:00 GMT

GREAT BARRIER REEF LIVEABOARD CRUISE: 7-10 December 2010

Come and dive the southern section of the Great Barrier Reef with us in December. This is a fitting reward for all the hard yakka you’ve put in during the year, so pamper yourself!

In association with Lady Musgrave Island Dive Tours, DOUTS brings you 3 days and 3 nights of liveaboard pleasure aboard MV Venus II, exploring one of the world’s greatest marine attractions. MV Venus 2 is a modern ocean going vessel containing 4 separate passenger cabins in different configurations, with full ensuite facilities in each cabin.

The trip leaves from Bundaberg on Tuesday evening, travelling overnight to the Reef. The diving schedule is as follows:

Wednesday: 4 dives
Thursday: 4 dives (includes a night dive if conditions allow)
Friday: 2 dives prior to return to Bundaberg late Friday afternoon.

For more information on Lady Musgrave Island Dive Tours and MV Venus 2, go to: http://www.divemusgrave.com.au/ and

http://www.barrierreef.net/Dive_Tour/thevessel.html.

Getting there: Unfortunately, we have been unable to get the UTS bus for this trip, but there will be an option to car pool to save costs. It will take approximately 2 days to drive to Bundaberg; camping and/or backpacker accommodation en route will be approximately $25 per person per night. The return journey will require 2 nights accommodation, due to the boat arriving in Bundaberg late on Friday.

Those who wish to fly should make their own arrangements; alternatively, you can go by coach.

Trip cost: the liveaboard component is $598 per person based on filling the boat. This price includes 10 dives as above, tanks and weights, dedicated crew and dive service, and all meals and drinks (excluding alcohol) while on board.

The boat can take 14 persons, so if you want to take advantage of this price, please reserve your place by registering manually online and sending us a deposit of $200 asap. (contact Rose for details of DOUTS bank account for deposit).

The balance of the trip cost is to be paid by 14 October 2010.

What to bring: your dive gear, light clothing, sunscreen (lots of it), swimmers, sun hat. Regs and BCDs can be hired from DOUTS at normal rates i.e. $5 per piece per day.

For further information about this trip, including gear hire, contact Rose Saltman at rose(at)rmplanning.com.au.

uts semester commences (28 Feb 2011)

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 05:00:00 GMT

welcome