The brave? Or the Foolhardy!?
It was -1 and icy as we set off down the A55 towards North Wales. We’d received a few emails from Branch members the previous day saying they didn’t fancy the conditions. So it was just myself and PWJ going to try equipment, and Nigel and Ryan going to complete some sports diver training.
We arrived at Vivian Dive Centre to find the car park blanketed in snow! Fortunately the clear skys meant the sun shone through, and it was surprisingly mild! Quickly into our drysuits, we proceeded to have a snowball fight in the middle of the car park - I always thought you had to be in touch with your inner child to be a diver!
Vivian Dive Centre
I was trying out my new Protec Explorer drysuit, and Halcyon Evolve wing. The suit is front entry and has a ‘telescoping’ torso, which feels a bit odd at first! Its a lot more streamlined than my previous suit and feels good in the water.
Me!
The water was about 5 degrees C, not the coldest we’ve dived in but getting there! At least we weren’t breaking the ice on the surface on the way out! Nigel and Ryan were just going in as me and PWJ were getting out, so Nigel took the opportunity to give PWJ a “whitewash” with his forcefins before they jumped in. We got our revenge my pelting them with snowballs as they swam out to the deco trapeze… ;o)
On reflection…
Getting out…