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Rugby ’ s golden dives
IN SEPTEMBER 1971 , MEMBERS OF Rugby Sub Aqua Club ( BSAC branch 431 ) made their initial diving trip to Swanage . Those members included Dave Egginton , Tony Ingram ( and partner ) Peter Robinson , Wilf Tanser ( myself ) and a member called Danny , whose surname has been forgotten . The dives undertaken were , for most of the members , the first sea dives we undertook ; most of the dives where around the original pier , with entry and exit via the ladder . A couple of dives were from a small
28 inflatable in Swanage Bay itself .
In September 2021 , Peter Robinson and myself , as part of RSAC ’ s 50th anniversary , returned to Swanage to dive the pier once again . It was Wilf Tanser ’ s 50th anniversary dive with the same buddy and same location as his first sea dive – thank you , Pete ! Again a dive was undertaken around the new pier and another dive on the Betsy Anna .
The kit used in 1971 strikes a nostalgic note – homemade wetsuits ; Luxfer 60s
( 8.5l 200 bar cylinders ); Black Prince twin hose demand valves or ‘ Snark 2 Silver ’ single hose regulators ; MDE blow moulded back packs ( back plates ) and surface life jackets .
The September 2021 dives were a lot more comfortable , with both divers in drysuits and using their own equipment , including Buddy Commandos , 10l Tanks & Single Hose DVs . And a lot more weight on their weight belts ! WILF TANSER , Rugby Sub Aqua Club