It was a cold October day that I will never forget. After the much needed cup of hot chocolate I plucked up the courage to don my wet suit…..YES wet suit…the water just 4 degrees above freezing. Great. Once the briefing was over we walked to the edge of that platform and stared at the bleak looking pond below……What fun…..and with a perfect giant stride, I was in. After the initial shock the suit did warm up…..but to be fair, the face and hands, which were in thin gloves never do. Visibility….Mmmm about 2 meters, which is not bad, depending on where you have to compare it with. Some say that peeing in your suit helps with the cold…..It does for approx 0.4 seconds, but trust me the hassle with your partner later when you remove the suit is not worth it LOL.
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- before the water was in
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- Waiting for the plunge
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- Blue waters ;)
The first module skills were carried out and I am so glad that there was only one other person to wait for. My dive buddy and good friend Steve……. I look back now and wonder how we actually managed to get back in the water for the second dive…AND go back the next day to finish the course. However, after all is said and done, learning to dive altered my life, my lifestyle, my outlook and even my personality…all for the better I must add. Here is a link to stoney cove. It is one of the best inland dive sites and does have a great safety record and all of the needed facilities, including a cafe. SCUBA MAN says Dive safe.
www.stoneycove.com
Mike Jones said:
Hello SCUBA MAN,
What is your view on whether to learn to dive in the UK or abroad?
I am doing the pool sessions at the moment ad am thinking about finishing the course in the red sea. Please advise. Thanks Mike.
Scuba Man said:
Hi, Mike and thanks for the question.
They do say that if you learn to dive in UK waters it will set you in good stead for diving anywhere.
I did learn in a UK Quarry, Stoney Cove. I spent a lot of time diving in the UK ocean. I did do some diving early on in the red sea and it has always made me think how much easier it would have been to do the course in clear waters. I guess the answer is….If you are going to dive in the UK you should learn here. Some of my most memorable dives have been done off the Welsh coast. It would be a shame not to experience this. If you only intend to dive on holidays once or twice a year…then finishing the course in warm clear waters is a popular choice. Whatever you decide. I wish you some great dives…… dive safe. Paul “Scuba man” Bradbury.
Scuba Man said:
Hello Mike…. Red sea…red sea…. Not sure if i answered this Mike. If you get a chance to finish in warm clear waters…. definitly go for it.
Especially if this is the GENERAL type of diving you intend to do.