Lakes |
Waterfall Pools |
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Lakes provide safer option than rivers during or after heavy rain . However , like rivers , the increased run-off from the surrounding countryside will drag in sediment and decrease visibility . As with rivers , a spell of freezing weather will ice-up the feeder-streams , creating much clearer conditions . Larger , deeper lakes fluctuate less in temperature compared to small shallower ones . This makes the larger ones colder in summer but relatively warm in winter . The key word here is ‘ relatively ’.
The Sea
The major advantage of the sea is that the seasonal temperature change tends to be less than either rivers or lakes – the coast of Britain never freezes over . When looking at seaside sites there are a number of considerations , the first of which is always safety . Sea conditions are important . Little changes in winter as we can get high winds , swell or strong tides through the year . However , I tend to avoid long or technical access routes in winter . After a snorkel in a cold sea , exiting into even a mild winter ’ s day I don ’ t want to spend hours in my wetsuit getting back to my dry clothes and car heater . Nor , with cold limbs and numb fingers , do I want to be trying to scale cliffs or negotiate boulder fields . Winter snorkelling is all about dealing with the colder conditions – let ’ s not make it even harder .
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This is an unusual option that needs some pretty specific conditions . But I have found locations in Wales where the waterfalls , or the river upstream , has frozen but the small lake at the bottom has not . This allows unique access to a snorkelling site that would otherwise be out of bounds due to the high energy water smashing down from above , even in summer .
The Great Indoors
Of course , there is the most civilised option of all – a nice , heated swimming pool . Because let ’ s face it – winter conditions can be difficult . Dealing with the issues of thermal regulation and protection is a yearround issue for divers in the UK , especially in winter . And although winter conditions can offer some unique opportunities , the
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Winter is a great time to jump in the pool and refresh skills
reality is safe snorkelling days can be hard to come by in these lean months .
Some may choose to hang up their fins during the worst of the weather . However , now would be a great time to make use of your club ’ s pool sessions to practise skills . Improve your duck dive ; try out new equipment , do your rescue drills and generally just keep current . This way , you won ’ t be rusty when the weather improves and the waters warm up … a little … this is Britain after all . �
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PHOTO : DAAN VERHOEVEN |
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Andy in the Arctic : Make sure the weather hasn ’ t turned so cold that it freezes your dive site and creates an overhead hazard |
PHOTO : ED HORNE |
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For more information on snorkelling with BSAC go to bsac . com / snorkelling Looking to introduce snokelling into your club ? Find out more at bsac . com / snorkellinginstructor |
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