Cupar Sub Aqua Club

BSAC No 1094

Over the weekend of the 4th-6th April, several club instructors took the (hopefully) up-and-coming sports divers for some open water assessments in the waters around Lochinver, Sutherland.
Traveling up on the Friday afternoon / evening, we enjoyed some glorious sunshine and spectacular views as we drove further and further North West. Saturday dawned breathless and slightly overcast and after a lovely fried breakfast, courtesy of the Ardglass guest house, we made our way to load the gear on to the boat.
Much of the morning was spent with shakedown dives as this was the first time for a while some of the trainees had been in the water. Lochinver is impressive in that several completely different dives can be found within easy boat rides. Our first assessment was carried out on a reef covered in kelp, 30 minutes motoring and we were doing our second dive on a wall and sandy bottom. Two 'tests' out of the way and we headed home to refill tanks / shower and then out for a satisfying dinner!

Day two - not a cloud in the sky and light winds, perfect! We loaded the boat again and headed out - this time around the northern point to a beautiful sandy beach to practise our rescue skills.
Once these were finly honed (and after a spot of lunch!), it was in to the water again to put them in to practise. Unfortunatly, during one of the 'rescues' a mask was lost and some time was spent looking for it (to no avail) - so if anyone is ever back up that way and finds a mask, it's ours!
Unfortunately that was about all we had time for and we headed back to port, stopping at the wreck of an old fishing boat on the way. We didn't dive it, but as the bow and superstructure were lodged on rocks out of the water anyway, it still made an intersting visit.

All in all a super weekend. Thanks from the trainees (Dougie;Niara;Andy;George;Nina;Annie and Andrew) must go to our instructors (Bob;Susie;Myra and Wayne) for giving up a super chance for spectacular diving to train and assess the new-comers - very much appreciated. A special thankyou to Myra who organised the weekend. Finally a mention for Jimmy our skipper and dive guide. A man with a story for all occasions and a wealth of knowledge he's keen to pass on.