Last ladies standing, annual Capernwray trip
UKDIVING
Ah, you have a club boat.
The club has a 5.8m RIB, bought within the past year, and a 4m inflatable; also, three of our members have their own RIBs. Our RIB is moored in a local harbour over summer to make it more available to members and reduce reliance on people towing, but we purchase a regional slip pass to use throughout our area. We also have two compressors, which are portable, and we have 16 full sets of equipment that new members can use while they are building up their own kit.
Where do you go?
As well as diving locally, in the last year we had 11 club-organised dive trips to other parts of Scotland for weekends, long weekends, weeks and fortnights. By July, we had already been to Lochaline, Oban( twice), St Kilda, the Sound of Mull, and the Inner Hebrides. During our main club training trip to Oban, we had 36 divers, three RIBs and we hired a hardboat for some of the days. Over the past couple of years, we have used this trip to give our Advanced Diver candidates an opportunity to get their expedition planning practical done.
Do you go further afield?
We do leave Scotland sometimes. Our annual trip to Capernwray is a great favourite, especially for the under-18s. We organised a small group trip to Malta in 2024 for eight divers, and have our sights set higher for 2026. In January, 24 of us are off to the Red Sea and have chartered a boat for the week.
What is your local diving like?
We have a very exposed coastline, so it’ s all weather dependent. We have great cliff and reef diving with clear waters( up to 20m viz) and not too deep( typically 15-20m maximum). There are many sea caves to explore and beautiful underwater arches.
Getting to the shot, local wreck dive
Returning to the RIB
Enjoying perfect conditions on the annual Oban trip
33