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Dive from Newquay headland old lifeboat slip.

Hi all

The mission was to get me cold and wet with a UK dive.

Well it has finally happened Dive number 187 and it was in UK waters.

Newquay. 13 May 09. 0947 A date to remember

While down in Cornwall before the Divefest Sue and hubby Ian took me diving off Newquay from the slipway on the headland. I had on my 5.5mm wetsuit with 3mm shortie over the top and hood on as well. I was planning to wear 5mm gloves but could not operate my camera with them so opted for thinner ones (so I need to sort something out before I go again plus should have thought about that beforehand lesson learnt) I was buddied up with Wabit for the dive and I watched as Sue and Ian put on their Dry suits thinking to myself what am I doing I’m going to freeze in this water Kitted up and buddy check done we were ready to go so down the slipway into the water and fins on.

Not as cold as I had expected although I did get a drip of water down my back and I almost leapt out of the water then we were all ready and down we went Sue and Ian leading the way pointing out all the sights as we went. We followed the rocks and sandy bottom zig zagging about the site so we could see it all. Visibility was not great compared to the other places I have dived but it was ok and it did pick up towards the end of the dive and in reality was just as I had expected really in fact a bit better than I thought to be really honest.  As for marine life there were a few crabs out and about for us to see and Sue found a cuttlefish hiding in the sand in addition a few other fish did make an appearance. Hit a little bit of current at one point but nothing to be concerned about.

I had a good 50 minute dive in all and then exited via the slip way gingerly walking back up the ramp which was rather slippery and needed to be treated with respect.

It was very cold when I got out with the wind chill factor. Luckily there are toilets close by to the dive site where the car park is so could get out of the wind and change into dry warm clothes. Lovely.

In all a better experience than I had been expecting and I will willingly go again. Cars can be parked right next to the entry point which is very handy so no long trek with your gear. I would recommend this site to any other warm water divers like myself as an excellent spot to do your first Uk dive.

Thanks again to Sue and Ian and also to Dawn for talking me into it

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