Swanage 2 - 4 June 2012
The bustling Victorian seaside town of Swanage on the South Coast in Dorest has much to offer with its rolling hills to one side of the bay and Peveril Point to the other. However, the main attraction for us is the enormous variety of wrecks outside the bay. Why not take advantage of the extra long Spring Bank Holiday in June and still grab a day at home to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee on Tuesday, 5 June! This is a three day recreational wreck diving trip to a maximum depth of 40M for 12 divers on Saturday 2, Sunday 3, Monday 4 June 2012.
Ideally situated on Swanage Pier to the South of the town is Divers Down http://www.diversdownswanage.co.uk/, Britian's oldest dive centre - est. 1958. We had a fabulous weekend last season diving from SPIKE, Divers Down new catamaran, so I've booked it again - why change a winning formula?
Here are the dives I've confirmed so far: Saturday 2 June, ropes off at 8 am - Aeolian Sky & Black Hawk, staying out at sea for both dives.
Sunday 3 June, ropes off at 9 am - Kyarra then back to the pier and out for a second wreck dive at 3 pm TBC ...
Monday 4 June, ropes off at 9 am - Warwick Deeping & War Knight, staying out for both dives.
http://www.divernet.com/Wrecks/wreck_tours/159451/wreck_tour_27_the_aeolian_sky.html http://www.divernet.com/Wrecks/wreck_tours/159422/wreck_tour_56_the_warwick_deeping.html
There's a possibility we will be able to dive either the Carantan or Castlereagh, also know as the Firth Fisher, for the second dive on Sunday, or possibly both instead of the Kyarra for a change. Either way, we'll dive two of these.
http://www.divernet.com/Wrecks/wreck_tours/159431/wreck_tour_47_the_kyarra.html http://www.divernet.com/Wrecks/wreck_tours/499310/wrecktour137_the_castlereagh.html http://www.divernet.com/Wrecks/wreck_tours/242263/wrecktour124_the_carantan.html
Did you know? Swanage Pier is one of the best shore dives in Britain. We'll get back at the pier around 2 pm on Saturday, so there will be plenty of time for a leisurely bimble underneath the pier at a maximum depth of 6M - highly recommended and it's FREE!
http://www.divernet.com/UK_Diving/uk_dive_sites/461349/pier_but_no_pressure.html
Accommodation, I've booked bed & breakfast at the Ocean Lodge, an informal guest house in Park Road run by Collin and Sue, on Friday 1, Saturday 2, Sunday 3 June 2012 http://www.oceanlodgeswanage.co.uk/ located very close to the pier. We have an early start on Saturday, it's unlikely we will have time for breakfast so I've arranged a packed breakfast. Check out the Ocean Lodge reviews on Trip Advisor.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186266-d1095389-Reviews-Ocean_Lodge-Swanage_Isle_of_Purbeck_Dorset_England.html
This trip costs £275 for club members and £295 for non club members , it includes three days diving, two dives per day and three nights accommodation including breakfast.
It excludes the cost of getting there (it's 129 miles from SW19, South West London - we'll sort out car sharing arrangements nearer the time), gas fills, other meals, drinks and general spending money. I've budgetted evening meals costing approx. £20 per evening, and I'll come up with suggestions for places to eat nearer the time. Pier admission prices are £8.50 for a car and £2 per diver, per day. Air and Nitrox fills are available from Divers Down.
Air fill prices:
3ltr Pony cylinder - £2.80 each.
7ltr cylinder - £3 each.
10ltr & 12ltr cylinder - £3.50 each.
15ltr cylinder - £3.80 each.
7ltr manifold twin-set - £3.80 each.
10ltr & 12ltr manifold twin-set - £6 each.
15ltr manifold twin-set - £6.50 each. Nitrox fill prices:
10ltr cylinder, up to 36% - £7.5o each.
12ltr cylinder, up to 36% - £8 each.
10ltr cylinder, 36% to 39% - £8 each.
12ltr cylinder, 36% to 39% - £8.50 each.
15ltr cylinder, up to 36% - £8.50 each.
15ltr cylinder, 36% to 39% - £9 each.
7ltr cylinder, 40% to 60% - £8 each.
3ltr Pony cylinder, 100% O2 - £8 each.
7ltr manifold twin-set, up to 36% - £9 each.
10ltr manifold twin-set, up to 36% - £13 each.
12ltr manifold twin-set, up to 36% - £14 each.
Diver certification, dive kit and previous experience. All diving will be planned within recreational limits down to 40 metres, and subject to prevailing weather and sea conditions each day. Minimum diver qualification is PADI Advanced Open Water and Deep Diver Speciality or equivalents, the ability to deploy a DSMB is essential, some boat diving experience would be useful. Having further PADI certifications in Enriched Air Diving and Wreck Diving or equivalents will help you to get the most out of this trip. Full scuba diving kit, including an appropriate exposure suit, DSMB, reel and a good torch - having a back up mask, DSMB and torch is a good idea. If you plan to use a single cylinder, carrying a redundant air supply such as a Pony cylinder is highly recommended on the deep dives. Divers must be over 21 years of age and logged 50 dives. If this is your first trip with the organiser, you will be asked to provide evidence of your certification and experience, remember to bring your logbook and certification cards with you.
To book a place on this trip, a £95 deposit is required, the balance is payable 6 weeks (42 days) before the trip, that's Friday, 20 April 2012.
Cancellation policy. Deposit refunds for cancellations made in advance of the balance due date can only be given once the trip is full and another diver has taken your place. For cancellations made after the balance has been paid, no refund can be given until your place is sold to another diver. If we are successfull, you will receive a full refund, minus any reduction agreed between you and the buyer of your place. In the event of adverse weather conditions or "force majeur" causing cancellation of the arrangements, your payment for that part of the booking will be refunded after the trip. This only applies to day boat charter fees, it excludes accommodation, admission fees and liveaboards, unless specifically stated in the trip details.
Health and saftey on the trip. It is important you listen carefully to all safety briefings while you are on this trip and follow the instructions you are given at all times, both in and out of the water. Make sure you dive within the limits of your dive certification, experience and comfort level. If you experience a dive related problem, make others aware of it immediately. Familiarise yourself with each dive site where possible and agree a dive plan with your buddy. In an emergency, you are reminded you have responsibility for the first actions to effect a successful rescue, without endangering yourself.
Please note. Care has been taken to ensure the information about this trip is both a fair and accurate representation of what you will receive and the magnitude of cost you will incur. Neither Dive Wimbledon or the trip organiser accept any responsibility for errors, omissions or changes which may result in an increase in cost and/or changes to the itinerary. By booking a place/s on this trip, you accept that Dive Wimbledon and the trip organiser have no duty of care to you or others on the trip and understand we are merely facilitating the hire of the boat and accommodation.
For more information, diver training courses and to hire dive gear at competitive rates:
Contact Roger and the team at Dive Wimbledon on 020 8540 6874