Weekly blog: New year!

The new year has started with a bang! It's three weeks into January and we've already run an enriched air course, an open water course, a drysuit course and all of our trainee dive masters have passed their final exams- just a few more bits to do before they qualify!

We've been back at The Basildon Academy mentoring as usual but we've just started up the after school club for our new students doing their open water course! As well as this, we've started a new course with their sports BTec students. This is the fourth consecutive year that we've worked with the academy and it's a delight. We've also held an evening at South Essex college where we recruited 15 new students! We've been working with the colleges for three years and all of the students have been outgoing and great to work with.

There was a Staff Instructor update last weekend that Rhonda attended. It was informative and gave an update on new techniques, materials and tips for teaching.

In the next few weeks we've got a few courses coming up:
January 30th-31st- EFR and Rescue
February 6th-7th- Rescue Open Water.
We've also got /night and wreck courses scheduled and we're confirmed dates next week!

Our first trip this year? NEMO 33!!!
We're doing a big deal on March 5th-6th! £100 including coach, hotel and 1 dive! On the Sunday, we'll be stopping off at Bruges for a few hours to explore and hit some hypermarkets! Feel free to bring a partner for just £75!
There's only 17 spaces left so book yours now!

2015 in a nutshell.

In 2015 we have moved forward as a dive centre. Milestones were achieved by us, our staff and many of our students.  At the start of the year, we were back don in Cornwall for the annual Dive Fest, diving with Porthkerris Dives on the Mohegan and Vase Point Pinnacle. Ending the weekend with a bbq at our caravan.

Moving on with the season, we were working with Writtle college preparing them for the Red Sea trip to Marsa Nakari. We worked through the theory first and then went to South Woodham Ferrers to do the pool work. After mastering all of the pool skills, the Writtle students went Nemes Open Water centre in Kent. After which, they all went to the Red Sea where a great time was had by all.

As well as this, we were  working with The Basildon Academies; Sport BTEC and after school club. Having spent four years working with the academies, it's always great fun and enjoyable to work with dedicated staff at the school, I look forward to carrying on the partnership with them.

We had the good fortune to work with great people like Lucy, who is studying photography at Falmouth university. As well as Faith and Ben from Writtle (amongst many others) who did their Rescue courses with us!

Using Nemes as our main Open Water location has been beneficial for us. Being able to get there with just a short drive and home for tea. We have used Nemes for two years and look forward to keeping the relationship over the coming year.

Without the goodwill of all the staff, all of this would not happen. The staff at Orca work hard all year to help new students get started and build up their skills, confidence and the also help past students continue their diving.

We now have 11 Instructors, 3 Assistant instructors, 5 Dive Masters and 10 Dive Masters in training. This means we are well equipped for the upcoming year.

During 2015 we had trips to Cornwall, Swanage, Farne Islands and 3 trips to the Red Sea.

In 2016, we've planned some old and some new. Starting with Red Sea liveaboard April 9th covering reefs and wrecks. Then we're down to Cornwall for the Dive Fest. Porthkerris diving has been booked for the first weekend of May. Then the Maldives liveaboard in August. Then a trip to South West Ireland planned for the summer.

As well as USAF, scouts, youth clubs, colleges, universities and anything else that walks through the door. So we'd like to say a big thank you to all the staff that helped us throughout the year and look forward to a bigger and better year in 2016!