Posts Tagged ‘ndac’
NDAC closed 1st to 5th July 2013
Sunday, June 16th, 2013
The National Diving & Activity Centre will be closed to the public for all activities from Monday 1st July until 1200hrs on Friday 5th July 2013.
General site infrastructure works are taking place and the site will be closed for all divers and visitors; this also includes the Wire, Wigwams, all Diving and The View Cafe Bar.
The site will be back to normal opening times from 1200hrs on Friday 5th July 2013.
Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
Jet Boots return to NDAC Chepstow this Summer
Friday, June 14th, 2013
The National Diving & Activity Centre will be hosting amazing Jetboot Experiences this Summer 2013.
Following the success of our previous events the Water Jetboots are coming back to the NDAC Chepstow.
A truly indescribable experience, just watch the video below. Easy to pick-up, your instructor controls the throttle so you are always controlled and in safe hands. 18+
You may have seen TV’s Mike Bushell having a go on these on BBC Breakfast.
The event will be running on the following dates from 8am to 6pm (Rain or Shine)
• Saturday June 22nd 2013
• Saturday June 29th 2013
• Saturday July 20th 2013
• Sunday July 21st 2013
• Saturday August 17th 2013
• Sunday August 18th 2013
Call WaterWalkerz on 07925 100 136 to book your slot
The price to have a go on the Water Jetboots is £99 for a 25 minute ride or £59 for a 10 minute ride.
http://www.waterwalkerz.com/events.html
Cherry Rebels to play free concert at View Cafe Bar, Chepstow
Wednesday, May 8th, 2013
On Thursday 30th May, we have alternative rock covers band Cherry Rebels playing a FREE concert at Chepstow’s View Cafe Bar.
Cherry Rebels are a four piece Alt Rock cover band based in the Rhondda Valleys. They play a wide variety from rock classics and new smash hits!
Their aim is to please the crowd and get
everyone up singing and dancing by bringing you a versatile
set ranging from ACDC, Rolling Stones, Beatles to
Foo Fighters, the Strokes and Kings of Leon, plus many more.
This is a free event and everyone is welcome.
Some of the bands Cherry Rebels cover:
• Foo Fighters
• Stereophonics
• The Beatles
• Black keys
• Rolling stones
• Kings Of Leon
• Blur
• Pulp
• ACDC
• The Strokes
• Thin Lizzy
• Jet
• T Rex
• Black Sabbath
• Kaiser Chiefs
• Billy Idol
• David Bowie
• Metallica
• Steppenwolfe
Plus many more……..
Watch the Cherry Rebels in action
Location
The View Cafe Bar can be found on the A48, just outside Chepstow at the National Diving & Activity Centre.
Detailed map and directions to View Cafe Bar>
We look forward to seeing you
Free Presentation – Learn from your mistakes, better still, learn from someone else’s! Sat 4th May 2013
Tuesday, April 9th, 2013
Improving Diving Safety Through A Change in Just and Reporting Cultures
Saturday 4th May 2013, Start 19:30 – All Welcome
A FREE Presentation at the View Café Bar, National Diving & Activity Centre, Chepstow
As divers we are very good at telling others about our exploits and how we survived after getting into a dodgy situation. But how could someone else’s incident help prevent you from making a similar mistake or error in the future? How can letting other divers know how you got out of the mess you ended up in can directly contribute to improving diver safety?
Recently there has been much talk in the diving community about developing a safety culture to prevent accidents from occurring. However, solving this problem is not a simple task for a variety of reasons, not least because of the lack of an independent and open reporting system which is free from commercial and legal biases.
Gareth Lock, a military aviator, accomplished underwater photographer, advanced trimix diver and PhD candidate who has been looking into the role of Human Factors in Diving Incidents and has developed a confidential, open reporting system for divers modeled on ‘near miss’ reporting systems present in aviation, the Diving Incident and Safety Management System (DISMS).
Gareth’s presentation at the NDAC’s View Cafe Bar will go through how incidents and accidents occur. Most importantly he will discuss why incidents should be captured, the challenges faced in gathering these reports and some potential solutions. He will review actual case studies showing the value of detailed reporting and how the community can help improve safety by using a truly independent reporting tool.
We can all learn from others’ mistakes, but only if as a community we can talk openly about them. Come along, you will likely learn something which may change your behaviour pre-dive or on the dive to make your diving safer.
You can join the event on Facebook here>
With breathtaking views overlooking our Chepstow quarry, the View Café Bar serves an extensive range of hot & cold meals as well as a wide selection of beers, wines and soft drinks from the licensed bar.
Glamping accomodation is available in our Wigwam Village if you would like to make a weekend of it.
If you would like to host an event at the View Café Bar in Chepstow, please get in touch
Refurbishment of NDAC gas blending panel
Saturday, March 30th, 2013
As part of our commitment to continuously improve the National Diving & Activity Centre, we have had a complete refurbishment of our blending panel in the NDAC Gas Room.
The refurbishment included a full strip-down and re-build as well as an installation of new Mk2a needle valves designed to give very fine control over the flow of air.
This is all part of our continued program to ensure we provide a good reliable service and quality speedy gas fills every time.
NDAC Closed Tuesday 30th April 2013
Monday, March 18th, 2013The National Diving & Activity Centre will be closed to the public for all activities on Tuesday 30th April 2013.
General site infrastructure works are taking place and the site will be closed for all divers and visitors; this also includes the Wire, Wigwams, all Diving and The View Cafe Bar.
The site will be back to normal opening times on Wednesday 1st May 2013.
Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
Chepstow Walking Festival April 2013
Saturday, March 9th, 2013
Chepstow Walking Weekend
Fri 5th – Sunday 7th April 2013
Join The Chepstow Walkers are Welcome group for their 1st Anniversary as a Walkers are Welcome town and what better way to celebrate than to offer 3 days of walks with a special event for the Saturday evening.
In April 2012 Chepstow and the surrounding area received a feather in its cap by becoming the first Walkers are Welcome town in Monmouthshire. The area was already established as a destination for walkers but now having achieved this status it re-inforces the reputation of the area as a place to come and visit. Gaining this status will also help the town develop plans that will benefit everyone, providing extra facilities for walkers and visitors alike and ensuring that any problems with footpaths are dealt with as quickly as possible.
Walking Weekend
Friday 5th April – Sunday 7th April 2013
Chepstow WAW have designed a programme to provide a taster of what our great town and surrounding area can offer so that you’ll want to come back again and again.
There is Free Parking for all those who take part and transport to and from start/finish points for Offa’s Dyke Path Tintern to Chepstow and St Tewdrics Trail.
Treasure Trails Chepstow Spy Trail available from Chepstow Tourist Information Centre with bespoke competition activity for all the family.
Herbert Lewis of Chepstow are offering ‘buy one coffee get one free in their tearooms plus 10% off anything in store to all walkers on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th April.
Friday Walking Programme > Includes the ‘Walk it & Zip it’ event for the braver amongst you!
It’s not just about the walking though! There are also a wide range of non-walking events on Saturday 6th April 2013
• Performance by The Singing Club of Chepstow at 4.45pm Beaufort Square Chepstow
• Balloon Launch at 5.30pm outside the Beaufort Hotel, Chepstow.
• Buffet at The Beaufort Hotel 6.15pm. A get together to swap stories about your walk.
• Showing of Arthurs Dyke film 7.15 pm. Spot where and who you recognise. Free showing.
Walk it and Zip it!
On the Friday there will be a walk running from the Central Kaff Chepstow to the National Diving & Activity Centre via country lanes, Offa’s Dyke Path and Gloucestershire Way. The walk is three miles and should take from 1-2 hours. However that is the easy part!
Once you arrive at the National Diving & Activity Centre there will be the opportunity for the braver amongst you to ride The Wire Zip Slide!
The Wire is one of the UK’s longest, tallest and fastest zip slides, running the 700 metre length of the NDAC Quarry, around 2100ft!
Participants will launch themselves from the 70m high cliff edge and speed along the length of our 80m deep flooded quarry.
Reaching speeds up to 40 miles per hour this exhilarating ride will take your breath away!
The Wire Zip Slide is suitable for all ages.
What to bring
Packed lunch and a drink, there is also The View Cafe Bar at the National Diving & Activity Centre.
How to Book
To book on any of the walks and for full details please visit the Chepstow Walkers are Welcome website
Accommodation
Accommodation is available at the National Diving & Activity Centre in our Wooden Wigwam Village
NDAC Quarry & Jet Boots feature on BBC’s ‘One Show’ in a piece about Cephalopods
Friday, February 15th, 2013
Did you spot the National Diving and Activity Centre on the One Show Wednesday?
In a piece about Cephalopods (squid & octopus) the One Show reporter dons a pair of Jet Boots and takes to the air over the waters of our very own Chepstow quarry.
The One Show is still available to watch here on the BBC IPlayer. If you don’t want to watch it all fast forward to 36:50.
The Easter GUE Experience Day 2013
Thursday, February 14th, 2013
Interested or curious about GUE but never had the opportunity to see what the fuss is about or ask questions from people that will give you straight answers?
Have an annoying issue with buoyancy or confidence in the water?
A little rusty after the winter?
Then this day is for you.
For only £25 you will receive guidance on your diving skills, video feedback and tips on how to improve your diving skills, and an insight into the GUE style of diving, without having to make a heavy investment in time or money. We’ll show you how to make your fin kicking more effective, how to take the stress out of ascents, and even how to swim backwards. You can attend a talk on avoiding diving incidents and even take part in an underwater easter egg hunt. You can bring any equipment, dive any gas.
This day is aimed at recreational and technical divers looking into GUE for the first time. You don’t need any specific gas, any specific equipment. As long as you have an open water qualification then you can just turn up and take part. You can take what you want from the day and leave the rest.
We will create an environment where people feel free to ask whatever questions like they like, and to watch demonstrations of the skills we teach, and even get some video feedback and advice on their own skills.
Location and Date
This event is being held from 0830 on Saturday the 30th March 2013 at the National Diving & Activity Centre in Chepstow as part of our Easter weekend of events (Location Map).
We will be covering the following
• Discussion – The origins and goals of GUE
• Discussion – The strengths and techniques of buoyancy control
• Dive 1 – Demonstration of trim and buoyancy control
• Dive 1 – Practice and video of trim and buoyancy control with in water feedback
• Dive 1 – Ascent with stops practice
• Discussion and hands-on – Kit configuration
• Discussion – Why team diving?
• Dive 2 – SMB demonstration
• Dive 2 – Valve drill demonstration
• Dive 2 – Ascent with stops practice
• Video Feedback for all divers
• Q&A
Evening – Talk on avoiding incidents in the View Cafe Bar at NDAC.
Pricing
Organising several of these events throughout the year costs a significant amount of time and money. Nonetheless, I feel it important that these events continue to be run as non-profit. So the small registration fee is there to encourage those who sign up to turn up, and also to cover some of the direct costs of organising the event. Other than these direct costs, all proceeds from the event will go to the RNLI. The last event we ran ended up with over £150 donated to the RNLI.
Registration
These events have become so popular that I have had to limit the registration to keep the numbers small. This enables us to answer everyone’s questions, and also to have time to look at everyone in the water. So, registration for this event is limited to 10 people.
Registration is now open. If you have any questions about this event, please do not hesitate to contact Gareth (Garf) Burrows. Please note that this is a non-profit event. all proceeds beyond direct costs go to the RNLI.
To attend this event, all you need to do is register at DiveDIR.
Logistics
If you need accomodation there are Wooden wigwams on site at The National Diving & Activity Centre.
Food and drink is available at the View Cafe Bar
These events are always a great laugh, and people seem to get a lot out of them. Here’s what they have said in the past…
I just could not believe the skill level of these divers. It’s one thing to
know you are below the bar, it’s quite another to realise the bar can
be set far higher than you thought possible.
presumed the GUE instructors would be boot-camp military types,
but they were just very relaxed and laid back divers – albeit divers
with incredible knowledge and skill, and the ability to pass on that
knowledge. In all honesty I went to prove a point, but after an
hour realised I had a lot to learn.
A day’s education from two GUE instructors for £25?
whether you were interested in GUE or not a lot of people
must be kicking themselves for missing this
I realised two things in the first hour. Firstly, the bar set
by GUE standards is like nothing I have experienced before.
Secondly these guys do not preach – but they are incredibly
well trained to teach
As a single tank diver, I expected to feel like an alien,
but was welcomed to the crowd. Forget about the fact
it was a GUE day. It was just a bunch of divers enjoying
the sunshine.
We hope to see you there. If anyone has any questions, please contact garf at gue.com
Free GUE Presentation – Tips and tricks for divers 30th March 2013
Thursday, February 14th, 2013
Getting out of the Sh*t
Tips and tricks for surviving diving’s little dramas
Saturday 30th March 2013 A FREE presentation in the View Cafe Bar at the
National Diving & Activity Centre, Chepstow
Starts at 7pm – all welcome
A multi media journey around the world discussing diving incidents and how they were survived.
In a free presentation, Instructor Gareth Burrows explains how divers get themselves into trouble and, more importantly, how they get themselves out of it.
We are also hosting a GUE Experience Day as part of our various Easter weekend of events.
Trapped inside a WreckA horrifying tale of what happens when overconfidence question “how could this have been avoided”. |
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Entangled in the shallowsImagine how terrifying it must be to be totally |
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Sucking the Reg dry.It’s everyone’s nightmare, but it’s still the |
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With breathtaking views overlooking our Chepstow quarry, the View Café Bar serves an extensive range of hot & cold meals as well as a wide selection of beers, wines and soft drinks from the licensed bar.
If you would like to host an event at the View Cafe Bar in Chepstow, please get in touch
