Welcome
By the time this magazine reaches you diving should have recommenced , at least for those of us living close to the sea or an inland site . There will be a further wait before we are allowed to travel significant distances for exercise . As ever , keep an eye out for BSAC ’ s announcements for clarity on dates and changes to Covid policy .
So , we begin again . Our first dives will hopefully be marked with the caution demanded by a long spell out of the water . Buddy up with someone of appropriate experience , take your time and remember that the first dives are all about you and your equipment . It ’ s not a time for envelope-pushing endeavours . If you ’ re diving for a purpose , building up to your target dives is part of the project ; if you ’ re taking photographs , make sure your buoyancy and overall control are up to the demands of diving hands-free .
This issue sees the introduction of a new columnist , a well-respected figure in BSAC . Jane Maddocks is a regular contributor and valued adviser , who has been hugely supportive of this magazine . Now , in her role as leader of BSAC ’ s Diving Activities Group , Jane will present a monthly column , Taking It Further , in which she will highlight ways our diving skills can be channelled into project work . We have started it within our environment pages ‘ Protect Our Seas ’, but in future issues the column is likely to get a page to itself .
This issue has something for everyone , I hope . We ’ ve got articles on the future of UK marine conservation ; a safety debate in the technical diving world ; reviews of some very interesting kit . All your regular writers are on great form . Monty Halls makes a welcome return with a ripping yarn about his attempts at cave diving in the Dominican Republic .
There is a skill in seeking out and observing marine life , and this is explored by Paul Naylor in the first of two special editions of his Critter Confidential feature , in which he looks at animal behaviour over the Spring months . This is a time when British reefs are undergoing their own awakening , and it ’ s a fine way to start your diving and get your eye in .
Above all , this issue ’ s underlying theme is to do with awakenings - the start of a new season , the end of lockdown and a very welcome Spring . Our big British feature is a photo-special by Alex Tattersall , a professional photographer who normally travels abroad , but took the time to look closely at the shore dives on his own South Coast doorstep over the Covid year . Alex brings a fresh perspective to sites many of us know well ; I ’ m sure we ’ ll all be looking closer after taking in Alex ’ s feature .
To all my fellow divers , wherever you are , I wish you a fulfilling and safe diving season .
Simon Rogerson – Editor simon @ scubamagazine . co . uk
Cover photo : Bobtail squid off Portland , photo by Alex Tattersall
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