UK diving?

floater · November 24th, 2006, 04:07 PM

My sister lives there (Guildford, Surrey) and I'm visiting her for Christmas. I don't plan to do any diving there, but I couldn't help to start thinking about it, so... how does it work in the UK?

I mean, can you just show up at a dive shop, rent tanks and go for a dive? What are the costs? What do you wear? (I have a drysuit, but 24 deg C is the coldest water I have dove so far).

*JohnKendall* · November 24th, 2006, 04:17 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by floater)

My sister lives there (Guildford, Surrey) and I'm visiting her for Christmas. I don't plan to do any diving there, but I couldn't help to start thinking about it, so... how does it work in the UK?

I mean, can you just show up at a dive shop, rent tanks and go for a dive? What are the costs? What do you wear? (I have a drysuit, but 24 deg C is the coldest water I have dove so far).

Hiya,

It doesn't normally work quite that well. You will NEED the drysuit, especially at Christmas. Water in the sea will be about 10deg, and 6 in the quarries. Your best bet is probably to hook up with folk from here and see what can be put together. Most of us can get hold of spare tanks.

HTH
John

Rob Dobson · November 24th, 2006, 04:33 PM

Mark Powell lives in Guildford - might be worth dropping him a line.

Otherwise if you need to borrow kit I'm likely to be out of the country the last 2 weeks of the year. I have twins, stages, regs, X-scooters and wings available for you to borrow. So if you end up hooking up with GLOC, Wilbo, Garf, MJH, Dom - any of that sort of crowd then they know where my stuff is kept and can get to it when I'm not around.

MJH · November 24th, 2006, 05:07 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Rob Dobson)

Mark Powell lives in Guildford - might be worth dropping him a line.

Otherwise if you need to borrow kit I'm likely to be out of the country the last 2 weeks of the year. I have twins, stages, regs, X-scooters and wings available for you to borrow. So if you end up hooking up with GLOC, Wilbo, Garf, MJH, Dom - any of that sort of crowd then they know where my stuff is kept and can get to it when I'm not around.

Bring your dry suit

I live close to Guildford.

Let me know if you would like to go diving or need any help with anything

Or you are welcome to borrow any of my kit if I am not using it

M

Chrisch · November 24th, 2006, 11:49 PM

Its not hard, although the weather is against a decent dive that time of year.

Just - under no circumstances whatsoever - say "dove" it doesn't exist - its not a real word. No one in England will let you dive with them if you use it. OK

Try here for some spaces (not DIR) Planned Trips & Spare Spaces - YD Dive Forums & Scuba Community

Chris

TobyFish · November 25th, 2006, 12:36 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Chrisch)

Just - under no circumstances whatsoever - say "dove" it doesn't exist - its not a real word.

peace out bro
dove.jpeg

dove as a past-tense of dive is a north-american thing

Usage Note: Either dove or dived is acceptable as the past tense of dive. Usage preferences show regional distribution, although both forms are heard throughout the United States. According to the Dictionary of American Regional English, in the North, dove is more prevalent; in the South Midland, dived. Dived is actually the earlier form, and the emergence of dove may appear anomalous in light of the general tendencies of change in English verb forms. Old English had two classes of verbs: strong verbs, whose past tense was indicated by a change in their vowel (a process that survives in such present-day English verbs as drive/drove or fling/flung); and weak verbs, whose past was formed with a suffix related to -ed in Modern English (as in present-day English live/lived and move/moved). Since the Old English period, many verbs have changed from the strong pattern to the weak one; for example, the past tense of step, formerly stop, became stepped. Over the years, in fact, the weak pattern has become so prevalent that we use the term regular to refer to verbs that form their past tense by suffixation of -ed. However, there have occasionally been changes in the other direction: the past tense of wear, now wore, was once werede, and that of spit, now spat, was once spitede. The development of dove is an additional example of the small group of verbs that have swum against the historical tide.

from dictionary.com

pass the geek-o-the-week sash Mr Hesketh

floater · November 25th, 2006, 03:12 PM

Wow. People here are super friendly. Rob and M, I'd love to take you up on the kit offers if anyone here is up for diving sometime between Christmas and New Year?

In addition to a drysuit and mask what else should I bring? For example, should I bring my can light?

Single tanks or doubles?

Chrisch · November 25th, 2006, 10:48 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by floater)

...

In addition to a drysuit and mask what else should I bring? For example, should I bring my can light?

Single tanks or doubles?

You should be able to rent most things, although DIR compliant wings might be an issue if that matter to you.

There's plenty of deep stuff that needs doubles (twins in English) but mid winter a single 15L should be okay (that's about an AL102 I think in your funny language)

The can light is a good idea, but depends on your luggage allowance.

This is worth a look and is about 2.5-3 hours drive from Guilford: Dive Charter with Dive Dorset - Recreational, Technical Scuba Diving

They take individual divers and there is a DIR store (small) opposite the centre. The store rents doubles and other gear and is helpfull. (links off the website given).

The weather is your master at that time of year, but there are a few interesting shallow wrecks in Portland that are divable just about any time. The harbor has a few small interesting dives that are not often cancelled.

Hope you have a great time.

Chris

[edit] check the can light to make sure you can re-charge on 240V if you bring it....

Rob Dobson · November 26th, 2006, 12:20 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by floater)

Wow. People here are super friendly. Rob and M, I'd love to take you up on the kit offers if anyone here is up for diving sometime between Christmas and New Year?

In addition to a drysuit and mask what else should I bring? For example, should I bring my can light?

Single tanks or doubles?

I only have twins (2X12L sets - both Heisers), an ali80, an ali40 and a 7L ali. I have twin wings but bring your own primary, backplate and fins as if I'm away I'll have that stuff with me (although there is a spare ali backplate and harness in the garage if you want to use that).

floater · November 30th, 2006, 03:23 PM

Okay, so it looks like I will be able to borrow the tanks (twins and deco bottles/regs) and weights, and I can bring everything else.

Would anyone like to meet up for a a few dives anytime between Dec 23-31?

I'll be Guildford-based. I'm looking to do just rec diving, but tech or cave diving would be fine with me too if that's what others want to do. However, I'm not trimix certified (just ANDI TSD) and since this would be my first time diving really cold water I'd like to take it easy on the initial dive.

November 24th, 2006, 04:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
floater(Offline) Mostly harmless Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Currently in the US, but I'm not American Posts: 155	UK diving? My sister lives there (Guildford, Surrey) and I'm visiting her for Christmas. I don't plan to do any diving there, but I couldn't help to start thinking about it, so... how does it work in the UK? I mean, can you just show up at a dive shop, rent tanks and go for a dive? What are the costs? What do you wear? (I have a drysuit, but 24 deg C is the coldest water I have dove so far).

November 24th, 2006, 04:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
JohnKendall(Offline) GUE Instructor/DIRX Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,100	Quote: (Originally Posted by floater) My sister lives there (Guildford, Surrey) and I'm visiting her for Christmas. I don't plan to do any diving there, but I couldn't help to start thinking about it, so... how does it work in the UK? I mean, can you just show up at a dive shop, rent tanks and go for a dive? What are the costs? What do you wear? (I have a drysuit, but 24 deg C is the coldest water I have dove so far). Hiya, It doesn't normally work quite that well. You will NEED the drysuit, especially at Christmas. Water in the sea will be about 10deg, and 6 in the quarries. Your best bet is probably to hook up with folk from here and see what can be put together. Most of us can get hold of spare tanks. HTH John __________________ John Kendall http://www.guetraining.com/ GUE Instruction, Santi and Halcyon Equipment NEW - Online Santi Shop

November 24th, 2006, 04:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rob Dobson(Offline) Chillin' with the ninjas Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oxford Posts: 536	Mark Powell lives in Guildford - might be worth dropping him a line. Otherwise if you need to borrow kit I'm likely to be out of the country the last 2 weeks of the year. I have twins, stages, regs, X-scooters and wings available for you to borrow. So if you end up hooking up with GLOC, Wilbo, Garf, MJH, Dom - any of that sort of crowd then they know where my stuff is kept and can get to it when I'm not around. __________________ --------------------- DIR-RA www.deep-ideas.co.uk www.tecdivers.co.uk. www.unifiedteamdiving.com

November 25th, 2006, 12:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
TobyFish(Offline) Fine Upstanding Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Telford, UK Posts: 795	Quote: (Originally Posted by Chrisch) Just - under no circumstances whatsoever - say "dove" it doesn't exist - its not a real word. peace out bro dove.jpeg dove as a past-tense of dive is a north-american thing Usage Note: Either dove or dived is acceptable as the past tense of dive. Usage preferences show regional distribution, although both forms are heard throughout the United States. According to the Dictionary of American Regional English, in the North, dove is more prevalent; in the South Midland, dived. Dived is actually the earlier form, and the emergence of dove may appear anomalous in light of the general tendencies of change in English verb forms. Old English had two classes of verbs: strong verbs, whose past tense was indicated by a change in their vowel (a process that survives in such present-day English verbs as drive/drove or fling/flung); and weak verbs, whose past was formed with a suffix related to -ed in Modern English (as in present-day English live/lived and move/moved). Since the Old English period, many verbs have changed from the strong pattern to the weak one; for example, the past tense of step, formerly stop, became stepped. Over the years, in fact, the weak pattern has become so prevalent that we use the term regular to refer to verbs that form their past tense by suffixation of -ed. However, there have occasionally been changes in the other direction: the past tense of wear, now wore, was once werede, and that of spit, now spat, was once spitede. The development of dove is an additional example of the small group of verbs that have swum against the historical tide. from dictionary.com pass the geek-o-the-week sash Mr Hesketh __________________ Rude-boy Volvo "Gangsta Rollin' in me nine-six-oh"

November 25th, 2006, 10:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Chrisch(Offline) Hogarthian Heretic Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 104	Quote: (Originally Posted by floater) ... In addition to a drysuit and mask what else should I bring? For example, should I bring my can light? Single tanks or doubles? You should be able to rent most things, although DIR compliant wings might be an issue if that matter to you. There's plenty of deep stuff that needs doubles (twins in English) but mid winter a single 15L should be okay (that's about an AL102 I think in your funny language) The can light is a good idea, but depends on your luggage allowance. This is worth a look and is about 2.5-3 hours drive from Guilford: Dive Charter with Dive Dorset - Recreational, Technical Scuba Diving They take individual divers and there is a DIR store (small) opposite the centre. The store rents doubles and other gear and is helpfull. (links off the website given). The weather is your master at that time of year, but there are a few interesting shallow wrecks in Portland that are divable just about any time. The harbor has a few small interesting dives that are not often cancelled. Hope you have a great time. Chris [edit] check the can light to make sure you can re-charge on 240V if you bring it.... Last edited by Chrisch; November 25th, 2006 at 10:56 PM.

November 24th, 2006, 05:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
MJH(Offline) Mask? Oh yes, I thought it was cold.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Orpington, Kent Posts: 389	Quote: (Originally Posted by Rob Dobson) Mark Powell lives in Guildford - might be worth dropping him a line. Otherwise if you need to borrow kit I'm likely to be out of the country the last 2 weeks of the year. I have twins, stages, regs, X-scooters and wings available for you to borrow. So if you end up hooking up with GLOC, Wilbo, Garf, MJH, Dom - any of that sort of crowd then they know where my stuff is kept and can get to it when I'm not around. Bring your dry suit I live close to Guildford. Let me know if you would like to go diving or need any help with anything Or you are welcome to borrow any of my kit if I am not using it M

November 24th, 2006, 11:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chrisch(Offline) Hogarthian Heretic Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 104	Its not hard, although the weather is against a decent dive that time of year. Just - under no circumstances whatsoever - say "dove" it doesn't exist - its not a real word. No one in England will let you dive with them if you use it. OK Try here for some spaces (not DIR) Planned Trips & Spare Spaces - YD Dive Forums & Scuba Community Chris

November 25th, 2006, 03:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
floater(Offline) Mostly harmless Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Currently in the US, but I'm not American Posts: 155	Wow. People here are super friendly. Rob and M, I'd love to take you up on the kit offers if anyone here is up for diving sometime between Christmas and New Year? In addition to a drysuit and mask what else should I bring? For example, should I bring my can light? Single tanks or doubles?

November 26th, 2006, 12:20 AM	#9 (permalink)
Rob Dobson(Offline) Chillin' with the ninjas Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oxford Posts: 536	Quote: (Originally Posted by floater) Wow. People here are super friendly. Rob and M, I'd love to take you up on the kit offers if anyone here is up for diving sometime between Christmas and New Year? In addition to a drysuit and mask what else should I bring? For example, should I bring my can light? Single tanks or doubles? I only have twins (2X12L sets - both Heisers), an ali80, an ali40 and a 7L ali. I have twin wings but bring your own primary, backplate and fins as if I'm away I'll have that stuff with me (although there is a spare ali backplate and harness in the garage if you want to use that). __________________ --------------------- DIR-RA www.deep-ideas.co.uk www.tecdivers.co.uk. www.unifiedteamdiving.com

November 30th, 2006, 03:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
floater(Offline) Mostly harmless Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Currently in the US, but I'm not American Posts: 155	Okay, so it looks like I will be able to borrow the tanks (twins and deco bottles/regs) and weights, and I can bring everything else. Would anyone like to meet up for a a few dives anytime between Dec 23-31? I'll be Guildford-based. I'm looking to do just rec diving, but tech or cave diving would be fine with me too if that's what others want to do. However, I'm not trimix certified (just ANDI TSD) and since this would be my first time diving really cold water I'd like to take it easy on the initial dive. Last edited by floater; November 30th, 2006 at 03:26 PM.