Where do you carry out your training ?
Pool access is very limited in this area , and when available it is expensive . As we mentioned earlier , we have just successfully negotiated pool time with a local school and are planning some try dives . For sheltered water training , we use the nearby inland dive site Capernwray , which has suitable staged platforms and lots of interesting objects . As depth for more advanced diver grade training progresses , we can easily go to one of our favourite local lakes : Coniston Water ( the fifth largest lake in the Lake District ) where we can easily dive to 30-40 metres ; or Wast Water ( the deepest lake in England ), where 70m is possible . We can easily run technical courses and we expect to be running a MOD 2 CCR course this year when the water warms up .
How much diving does the club organise ?
We have a branch dive at least every second weekend during the season and members organise further dives ( with the Diving Officer ’ s permission ) that the branch supports . We dive and train throughout the winter , although this is more limited as temperatures drop . Inland sites are the easiest to visit , as our nearest coastline at Morecambe Bay is very shallow ( and that ’ s when the tide is high ).
What sort of diving ?
Our members use kit configurations ranging from open circuit scuba , through to twin-set divers and rebreathers , most of whom are mixed-gas qualified . Interests
Sustenance at the steam fair
The Chair has left the wreck !
in the club vary from Seasearch wildlife and habitat recording , to wreck diving and underwater photography .
You are so lucky to have stunning lakes on your doorstep …
We are well placed for freshwater shore dives . Favourites are Coniston Water , Wast Water and Windermere . We also dive Crummock Water ( maximum 40 metres ) and Ullswater ( maximum 40 metres ). The overall favourite scenic dive is probably Wast Water , with its amazing underwater cliffs . On surfacing , you have views of Great Gable and Scafell , both handy for anyone interested in a short stroll between dives .
Our sea diving this past year has mainly been on charter boats in Scotland ; we are going back this year to dive with commercial RIB operator Wreckspeditions . We also have a Jutland trip and another one to Scapa this year , alongside Oban and the Farne Islands . We have a trip planned to Chuuk Lagoon in 2024 and we are planning a Red Sea trip before that . The club is going to take part in the 2023 Kernow Dive Fest , which is another expedition for us ; it ’ s nearly 400 miles to get from Kendal to Cornwall .
Do you have any diving projects on the go ?
We have a couple of local ‘ search and photograph ’ projects on the back burner at the moment ; we can ’ t be more specific at this time , but they may include possible recovery . We also do beach and underwater litter picks at local beauty spots in the Lake District ; the last one was in Windermere . While we tend not to organise those ourselves , we do respond positively when asked .
Anything else you ’ d like to tell SCUBA magazine readers about ?
We are always happy to help out visiting clubs , so if you are making a trip to the Lakes , we can offer to organise cylinder refills and retesting when needed , plus Sofnolime and gas mixes for BSAC divers , just contact us in advance . �
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