YO-HANCHA
The Three Degrees
For Yo-Han Cha , a yearning to dive in the winter months means a visit to one of the UK ’ s inland diving lakes
I
don ’ t usually dive in quarries . You ’ ll normally find me in the sea , but at this time of year , but this is probably the most likely time you ’ ll find me in fresh water . This is purely down to winter storms putting paid to any diving off the coast , along with my lower level of enthusiasm to go diving when it ’ s colder and darker than usual .
When I lived in Manchester , this would be the time of year I would most regularly visit Capernwray . I ’ d be either helping out with training or pretending that I ’ m not addicted to diving by getting my fix in water that ’ s around three degrees Celsius . Then Easter would herald a new diving season and it would normally be around late autumn before I ’ d once again be ordering chilli burgers ( with everything ) from Sandy at the Capernwray café .
I ’ ve yet to find a preferred quarry since moving to Bristol , as lockdowns put paid to any winter diving , but as I munch my final turkey sandwich and wonder if the seasonal deluge of chocolate will mysteriously
‘ shrink ’ my drysuit , my thoughts return , inevitably , to diving .
Last year , I unexpectedly found myself back in Capernwray . It was nice to be back in familiar surroundings , greeting people I hadn ’ t seen for years . The first of my two dives confirmed that I still know my way around Capernwray and that I could expertly guide my buddy around the underwater attractions . My second dive proved that I still have a terrible sense of direction and I ’ m quite capable of swimming round in circles for an hour , completely lost – sorry Keri !
I ’ ve still to find my new ‘ Capernwray ’ down south . With NDAC now closed , my most likely candidates are Cromhall and Vobster . I ’ ve dived both once . On both occasions I was leading a less experienced diver to get some practice in . And in both
“ Last year , I unexpectedly found myself back in Capernwray ”
quarries , I had a 50 per cent hit rate on my navigation . At least this established that getting lost isn ’ t just something I reserve for Capernwray . For the record , I ’ m happy to let someone else guide me ! In the words of Obi-Wan Kenobi : “ Who ’ s the more foolish ? The fool or the fool who follows him ?” Future dive buddies , you have been warned not to forget your compass !
So , as much as I love diving in the sea , I ’ m happy to be able to jump in a quarry , especially during the winter as it allows me to carry on diving in the most uninviting conditions . Some of my work colleagues once provided feedback about how I start to get grumpy if I haven ’ t dived for a few weeks . So , for the sake of my colleagues and everyone else around me , I ’ ll just have to continue to visit Cromhall and Vobster throughout the winter . �
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