SCUBA Dec 2025 issue 161 | Page 25

North Wales Technical Divers was formed to preserve access to Dorothea Quarry, ensuring only suitably qualified divers dive there. Interview by Kristina Pedder
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Branch Officers( l-r) Paul, Steve, Mike, Dave

North Wales Technical Divers

North Wales Technical Divers was formed to preserve access to Dorothea Quarry, ensuring only suitably qualified divers dive there. Interview by Kristina Pedder

LOCATION: Near Caernarfon, Wales MEMBERSHIP FEE: one-off £ 25
CONTACT: DO / membership Dave Howson e dave @ nwtd. co. uk Chair / lead instructor Steve Barnard e steve @ nwtd. co. uk! nwtd. co. uk f North Wales Technical Divers- NWTD mixed reputation as challenging and dangerous. The mine closed in 1970 and subsequently flooded, giving depths of up to 104 metres. Vertical slate veins were mined, which means the pits were also vertical and deep.
What facilities are there?
As the site is part of the North-West Wales world heritage site, and remote, we have minimal facilities. There is car parking and a toilet. As our members are spread far and wide, nationwide and overseas, we usually meet online. We do hold social events on site such as the Spring Chicken Feast, Summer BBQ and a Winter Santa Dive, which are all popular. Our social events raise money for charity and we drop off selection boxes to the local children’ s ward each Christmas.
When was the club formed?
North Wales Technical Divers was formed in June 2018, after its founders Dave Howson and Nigel Spiers signed a licence agreement with the landowner to manage diving at Dorothea Quarry, near Caernarfon in Wales.
So, the club is based on a dive location, that’ s unusual
Yes, the club was established to ensure that diving was able to continue at Dorothea Quarry. This was previously an unregulated dive site with a
Dorothea Quarry: 40m ledge, 57m tunnel and 65m ridge buoys
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