Welcome
Hello and a belated Happy New Year from the SCUBA team . We ’ re back in the game after our winter recess , eager as ever to crack on . To be fair , it hasn ’ t been the most kindly of winters , with so many named storms assaulting our coasts they could start their own knitting circle .
But we won ’ t let that get us down , because the nights are getting shorter ; spring will be here in a heartbeat . Naturally , BSAC diving has still been taking place across the UK , not forgetting the many overseas clubs whose activities take place with the kindness of the tropics . We never stop .
Now we ’ re back doing what we do best , celebrating BSAC diving in its many forms . This issue we have a report on one of Andy Hunt ’ s Operation Oyster expeditions – this is an endeavour that will have a lasting effect on our understanding of an important but threatened species , as Lisa Shafe explains in Oyster Perpetual , page 36 .
Still on the theme of diving with a purpose , I commend the story of history enthusiast Duncan Ross , who has embarked on a tour of the UK ’ s archaeologically important underwater sites ( The Time Tourist , page 42 ). His is an inspirational story , and shows just how far we can pursue our interests by reaching out to specialist organisations within the diving world . Networking is a real asset in this field , and if you don ’ t ask ...
My friends at BSAC have been busy launching all manner of initiatives , including the new Youth Engagement Hub , which you can read about in SCUBA ’ s own HUB section ( page 8 ). It ’ s a superb idea and will hopefully help our branches create a climate in which young people continue to be drawn to underwater exploration .
New generations of divers can take inspiration from veteran members who have become stalwarts of their clubs ... people such as the Three Amigos of Potteries Divers . These guys have been officially recognised for 50 years ( each !) of BSAC diving , and you can read about their unique perspectives on five decades of SCUBA by turning to page 30 .
Welcome back all – I wish you a safe and rewarding year of diving .
Simon Rogerson – Editor simon @ scubamagazine . co . uk
Cover photo : Pygmy seahorse , Hippocampus bargibanti , about 1.5cm , by Simon Rogerson
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