News
Swindon Sub Aqua Club take chilly annual dip for RNLI
ENGLAND – Scuba divers in Wiltshire braved the chilly winter depths of the River Thames last Sunday and raised more than £1,000 for charity.
Every year, members of Swindive, the Swindon branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club, take a two-mile swim from Inglesham to St John’s Lock in Lechlade to raise money for the RNLI.
As they have done for about 40 years, participants met at 10am behind The Trout Inn in Lechlade before they were ferried to the start of the route behind the St John the Baptist Church in Inglesham.
Accompanied by a safety boat, 14 divers took to the water and were swept downstream.
Gill Marsh, the public relations officer for Swindive, said: “It went very well. The event has been running for a very long time and takes place on a Sunday in early January each year.
“Family, friends and the general public are invited to walk the route as spectators. The number of participants and the amount of money raised has varied widely over the years. We had about 14 swimmers, which was slightly less than we had hoped for. A lot of the members who might have taken part unfortunately had prior commitments on the same day.
“We probably raised around £1,000 in total and around £500 will go towards the RNLI. It’s a charity very close to our hearts because you never know when we’re going to need their help. We go out to dive in the sea and sometimes there are problems, and we rely on the RNLI to help. As a charity they desperately rely on donations, so that’s why the money we raise from this goes there.”
The time taken to ‘swim’ the course varies enormously between years depending on how fast the river is flowing. In a fast year it could be as little as 20 minutes or less, while in a slow year it may take up to an hour and a half.
Gill said: “It was a beautiful day, the sun was out and the water was running quite fast so we finished it quite quickly. I think the water was warmer than the air. Overall it was a very good morning.”
To find out more about Swindive go to www.swindive.co.uk.
Source: www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk
There’s something magical about night diving— the ocean transforms into a whole new world, alive with mystery and wonder. At Euro-Divers Meeru, we love sharing this unique experience with our guests, and the West Rock Shipwreck is one of our favourite sites for night diving.
Here’s why:
Setting the Scene
The adventure begins at 17:30 as divers gather on the boat. After thoroughly checking our equipment, the boat departs for the dive site. The 15-minute journey is a treat, with the calm sea and the soft glow of the setting sun creating the perfect atmosphere.
Arriving at West Rock, the boat gently moors above the wreck. As our team briefs you on the dive, we will walk you through the special night diving techniques, such as using a torch and maintaining buddy contact, ensuring you feel confident and prepared. While we wait for the sun to set, there is time to relax with a cup of tea or coffee and take in the breathtaking colours of the Maldivian sunset.
The Dive Begins
Once darkness settles, it’s time to dive. The West Rock Shipwreck—a small cargo freighter sunk in 1999—rests at 20 meters on a sandy plateau. Over the years, it has become a vibrant reef, teeming with marine life.
As we descend, the beams of our torches cut through the dark water, revealing the wreck’s coral-covered surfaces. It is always thrilling to see the wreck come to life under the light. Colourful nudibranchs, scorpionfish, frogfish, and shrimps are just a few of the creatures that call this wreck home.
We often find parrotfish and pufferfish inside the wreck settled in for the night, while lionfish and moray eels lurk in the shadows. We frequently spot larger residents, too—Napoleon wrasse or even a resting nurse shark, peacefully tucked away beneath the ship’s hull. Every corner of the wreck offers something new to discover.
Underwater Galaxy
As the dive comes to an end, we have one final highlight to share. During the safety stop at 5 metres, we may ask you to switch off your torch and gently move your hands through the water. This action stirs up bioluminescent plankton, lighting up like tiny stars surrounding you— a magical, otherworldly experience that never fails to amaze.
Post-Dive Bliss
Emerging from the dive, we are welcomed by the cool night air and a canopy of stars. The boat crew helps us as we climb aboard, where hot tea or coffee awaits to warm us up. The journey back to shore is filled with shared stories and a sense of camaraderie that only diving together can create.
Night dives like this one at the West Rock Shipwreck offer more than just an exploration of marine life; they remind us of the beauty and mystery of the underwater world.
For more information, contact the Euro-Divers Meeru team at meeru@euro-divers.com or visit www.euro-divers.com.
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