You can come on one of our amazing WUSAC fun diving trips!
WUSAC is associated with many other local and not so local BSAC clubs, so a weekend away diving is often just a message away. This past weekend four of our distinguished WUSAC members made their way to Anglesey island in north Wales for a fun weekend of diving (plus a little training) along with divers from Liverpool University and Coventry Sub-Aqua Clubs.
We began with non-tidal dives in Bull bay, on the north of the island away from the prevailing wind. Weather was beautiful, and many sea creatures were spotted by those who didn’t immediately get lost.
It was my first ever dive in the sea, and we spotted several crabs, catfish, starfish, and both baby and adult jellyfish. Water was warm and the whole experience was improved when we discovered upon surfacing that our diving officer had got horribly lost and seen only sand.
Soon it was time to fill up our cylinders. The group was split into two, one group did a dive on Newry beach, the other attempted to find some fish and chips.
The second day proved to be more our drift, we arrived under the Menai bridge that joins Anglesey to mainland Wales to find the water filled with other divers. After being advised by a local with a topological map of the strait we did a dive on the nature trail. We drifted west for half of the dive passing schools of fish and lots of crabs and then reversed course to end up in an area of slack (still) water, having passed under the bridge.
Following the first dive we decided to again dive the Menai, in much stronger currents. One group lead by experienced instructor Peter managed to run out an entire 40m reel at only 7m depth and had to surrender a beloved DSMB (buoy) to the sea. The WUSAC divers on the other hand were far too lazy for DSMB deployment, much to the dismay of the dive manager, which ended up being the right call. Some say on a clear day you can see the poor lonely DSMB from Liverpool, drifting at sea.
The day was wrapped up with some final dives at Newry beach and a practical rescue management lesson for Antoni, with some brilliant play acting from all.
The third and final day was again eventful. We returned to the Menai Bridge, allowing Peter to complete his advanced diver and some assistant dive marshalling to be practiced. Those that dived reported being tumbled back and forth across the Menai, allowing Sam the opportunity to redeem his navigation skills after his mishap on Day one.
After a quick lunch we to headed to Porth Eilian on the north eastern coast of Anglesey, a secluded bay with a rising tide and great visibility. Divers went in two waves with the first once again immediately getting lost (never trust a Coventry trainee). On the second wave I was taught my final sports diver lesson by Assistant instructor Antoni under the supervision of Peter. Against all the odds we survived, I passed, and Antoni kicked a dogfish in the face.
Overall it was a fantastic (and relatively cheap) weekend. All WUSAC members are welcome on these trips, which are run as often as possible to sights all over the UK. They allow you to experience a variety of different diving and see a range of marine life, as well as being great opportunities to socialise and meet divers (and instructors) from across the UK as well getting to know people better within our own club!
Written by Thomas – Secretary and Welfare
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