Simon Campbell

Reasons why I love the Isle of Man

2009-09-20T09:17:00+00:00

There are many reasons why I love the Isle of Man. I have already covered a little about the music scene and of course the diving. But here are four, more eclectic reasons…

Isle of Man: terrific temperate diving

2009-08-30T16:54:00+00:00

I have dived all over the world from Malta to the Maldives, Myanmar to Mexico but I have to say that the waters of the Isle of Man is the best temperate experience I have encountered. Reefs and wrecks: it has everything.

For God’s sake support our troops

2009-07-28T12:27:00+00:00

Recent weeks have again seen terrible losses of life in Afghanistan. We, the people, are responsible for them being there in the first place, so for God’s sake, lets support them…

Selling my Jim Kelly FACS 30/60 amplifier

2009-07-13T15:25:01+00:00

Its not very often that I sell any of my gear, but I have decided to let this amplifier go. I am now using my TwoRock amps exclusively, this fantastic unit deserves to be played regularly and loved by those listening.

Break a leg (not literally) Greg!

2009-07-07T19:59:00+00:00

Greg (Gregorious) Wood decides to come on holiday to the Isle of Man as he wants to learn to dive and it’s cheap. I teach him to dive, he gets pissed and breaks his leg.

Rock ‘n roll is back

2009-07-01T12:03:00+00:00

Over the last few years my whole attention has been focussed upon developing my diving skills. I realised about a month ago that I hadn’t played guitar seriously for a few years, missed it and decided to get back to Rock ‘n Roll!

One of life’s great characters: Ian ‘E’ Kershaw

2009-06-15T09:40:01+00:00

This guy is a genuine nutcase. I met him at Salford University where we were both ‘studying’ BioChemistry. After one year we were experts in the brewing process and fearful effects of alcohol on the human body…

The Suzuki Wagon R+ GL

2009-06-08T19:36:00+00:00

Sick of running around guests and my boys on the Island, we decided to buy a cheap car that could be insured for anyone. We accidentally bought a Suzuki Wagon R (+ GL to be exact).

The simoncampbell.com redesign!

2009-05-19T00:42:00+00:00

Having lived very happily with the design of my blog for a year, I decided it was time for a revamp. So going from the minimalistic lines designed by the very excellent Phil Swan, we move to the ‘retro’ feel created by xhtml/css master, Greg (Gregorious) Wood.

St Kilda Guide

2009-05-15T16:04:00+00:00

Triton Oceanic Sub Aqua Club undertook their second expedition to the Scottish islands to explore the remote beauty of the islands underwater world to the full, pioneering previously identified virgin dive sites and visiting some of the old favourites. This expedition will form the basis of the ‘Essential Guide to St Kilda’, a brand new publication featuring the ‘top 20’ sites across the islands.

St Kilda

2009-05-15T16:03:00+00:00

I first visited the archipelago in May of 2005; an experience I will never forget. This expedition shared my passion, immersing 24 Divers in 13 days of adventurous, challenging and world class diving.

Project IJN Kongo

2009-05-15T16:02:00+00:00

This is the fourth major expedition undertaken by the newly formed Triton Oceanic Corporation. The objective is to find and document the wreck of the Ijn Kongo, a 36,000-ton battleship sunk off Formosa during the second world war… Weighing in at 36,000 Tonnes, you may think finding this is easy but I can tell you, even with our sophisticated equipment comprising sidescan sonar and Caesium magnetometers, its not!!

The devil wears DUI

2009-05-10T15:15:01+00:00

OK, its a cheap headline but what the hell, it had to be done. For those who haven’t followed the story so far, it may be worth reading the DUI Disaster article first. This is a quick note as I have just received my DUI drysuit back from repair.

In love with a big cheese

2009-05-07T11:50:00+00:00

Although I do love my husband very much, I’m afraid I’m having an affair; with a cheese!!! Guest article by my other half, Angela Campbell

St Kilda Guide: The essential guide

2009-04-25T20:47:00+00:00

In April 2009, the Triton Oceanic team revisited the amazing St Kilda archipelago to research material for an ‘Essential Dive Guide’ to the Islands, the first major work for 20 years.

DUI Disaster

2009-04-02T19:00:00+00:00

In 2002 I started diving in the UK. Of course the sensible option is to buy a drysuit and as ever, I wanted the best. I asked a few of my first British diving buddies and they said: ‘DUI are the best for sure, but I would buy a cheaper on first just to make sure you like it!’

National Diving Officer: First proposals

2009-03-19T11:14:00+00:00

I have now sought feedback from the BSAC Forums, and opinions from many others throughout the organisation from Ocean Divers to Regional Coaches. Also, I have spoken to many outside our fine organisation for their perception of BSAC. The results have informed the development of a series of proposals. Here you go!!!

How can SAD be good?

2009-03-04T13:54:00+00:00

I started my diving with guys from the military and decided it would be a good idea to join Steve Cox, with his merry band of Instructors at the Joint Services Sub Aqua Centre (JSSAC), to learn how to be a SADS. The question is what the hell is a SADS?

Yoga: friend of the diver

2009-02-16T10:39:00+00:00

OK call me soft and a real Jesse, but Yoga is improving my flexibility, breathing and general control over my body! My goodness, I need it…

What makes a good NDO?

2009-02-09T13:27:00+00:00

So, after nearly twelve months on Council, the opportunity has arisen for me to stand for National Diving Officer (NDO) of the mighty British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC). The question is, what makes a good NDO and am I the right man for the job?

Sentinel maintenance workshop

2009-02-02T20:49:01+00:00

It’s not that I don’t trust re-breathers, it is more the fact that I like to understand as much as possible about the kit I am diving; especially if it may kill me at any second…

Project IJN Kongo: Introduction

2009-02-01T16:24:00+00:00

This is the fourth major expedition undertaken by the newly formed Triton Oceanic Corporation. The objective is to find and document the wreck of the IJN Kongo. Weighing in at 36,000 Tonnes, you may think finding this is easy but I can tell you, even with our sophisticated equipment comprising sidescan sonar and Caesium magnetometers, its not!!

Bad curry, sea survival and kippers

2009-01-25T16:29:00+00:00

This article tells of tales of horrific curry’s, a ‘Sea Survival’ course, the lack of essential items in the Isle of Man, kayaking, wallswaps, kippers, football, walnuts & farting…

Finding a boat: Flagging Felicity?

2009-01-24T21:59:00+00:00

Much has happened since my last article. I made the foolish mistake of becoming emotionally attached to the Arctic Janus. More of a problem was that Joe (my youngest) and Angela did too…

Merry Christmas

2008-12-21T12:00:00+00:00

Christmas is a funny time, full of cheer and good will to all men. I however have a few interesting takes on the festive season which may amuse you and also some thoughts that may challenge you…

Seals and hallelujah: sweet & sour

2008-12-14T17:29:00+00:00

Funny day today: I went diving with seals 200m from my house and then cried reading the paper with Jeff Buckley on the Radio.

Twin Ten’s: trails and tribulations

2008-12-10T18:16:00+00:00

As always, excitement got the better of me I was off for some diving training in the Isle of Man with fellow Tritone, Simon Campbell. I was up and packed by 0630 Friday morning to catch my ferry from Heysham at 1315. Early wasn’t in it, it only took 50 minutes to get there! A guest article by my fellow Tritone, Jackie Dixon.

Mighty Miflex

2008-11-22T12:48:00+00:00

How can someone get so excited about the humble hose? Over my diving career I have used hundreds of different sets of SCUBA kit. I learned early on that the low & high pressure hoses can be problematic.

Sentinel sensation

2008-11-15T22:32:00+00:00

There are a few articles on my blog about Closed Circuit Rebreathers and of course you hear of them going wrong all the time. This is a quick article about my new Sentinel, what happened when it went wrong and why I bought the bloody thing…

Bad Moon Rising

2008-11-04T20:47:00+00:00

Until a few years ago, the acronym ‘CCR’ had a very different meaning to me. The 70’s, the US deep south and Fortunate Son: a track which no self respecting helicopter scene in a Vietnam war movie should be without. However more recently, CCR means Closed Circuit Rebreather and has become something of an obsession with me and my fellow explorers at Triton Oceanic. A guest article by my fellow Tritone, Tony Bridge