UK diving trips later in the season are often fraught with weather changes, and this trip was a shining example. In thr run up to the trip various apps showed the wind and conditions shaded in bright red, dropping to orange then back up to red again; to say it hadn’t been looking hopeful would be an understatement. However, in the final day before, suddenly conditions lifted and we found our trip was green to go, with flattish waters predicted.
Swanage was delightfully quiet (for those, no names please, who rocked up at 6:20am expecting a rush of cars, the pier remained blissfully quiet all day); even by 10am loads of space remained. Under the pier dives took place first of all for those who wanted it. The tide was high (certainly higher than the previous trip which saw people clambering out onto rocks a long way from the steps) and visibility was – well – doable. However both dive leaders seemed to get quite lost. Not being able to see one pier leg from the next does make navigation difficult, and they only just made it out on schedule. Who knew there were steps to exit the water from the middle of the pier? Well Gary & Andy certainly do now. Still, the pier does deliver life in abundance; not only the usual shrimp, but the newer anemone shrimp were seen. Additionally Leach’s Spider Crab inside the anenomes seemed quite prolific.
However the stars under the pier were the baby cuttlefish Katie spotted; three smaller ones then a larger one patrolling outside of the group. Great spot and lovely to see so much under the pier as always.
Electrical problems (Nick noted Divers Down were only getting two of the three phases of electricity they needed to run the compressor) meant that there were unusually no fills for later dives, however Divers Down were very helpful in finding us sufficient filled cylinders we could use for the boat trips later on. We also got to watch the electrical board pull up in their vans and start excavating along the pier. Good thing it wasn’t that busy after all …
First boat dive was a drift on Old Harry’s Rocks. Equinox tides meant it ran at a fair clap, not really enough time to point out anything before – whoosh – it was three metres away and long gone. Still, lots of Queen Scallops and their beautifully coloured fringes scudded by beneath. Other members saw spider crabs, though oddly few fish. Maybe the current was keeping them away.
Back on board and to the pier for a short break before a 15:45 ropes off for the Valentine Tanks. Honestly it was a surprise to many that conditions held up well enough, so it was a real bonus to jump in and get to the tanks. Lindsey fought off a free-swimming conger which seemed to be very interested in her mask, while Artur captured the moment for posterity. The tanks were swarming with conger, bib and huge shoals everywhere; it made for a lovely dive and the slight current shifted away any silt we kicked up quickly. Back on board via the shot and back to the pier just in time to watch the digging continuing on the pier. Power was apparently restored by 8pm, but we were all long gone by then, some having fish and chips in the “green” restaurant next to the usual one before departing.
It was a busy day with more dives than we expected to fit in but it was nice to grab these sea dives as the season draws to a close.
Thanks to Lindsey for organising, and to all who joined and made the trip down to Swanage for the Sunday.
