3Deeps Challenge article that appeared in 'Scuba magazine'
Greatest dives tend to be classified under wrecks, reefs and
what I saw when diving. This is none of these, it is more about the event and
the reason for the dive than the dives themselves, but it certainly classifies
as one of my greatest dives.
In the space of ten hours and eight minutes I have travelled
333 miles, completed 3 dives in 3 different countries, each dive being a
minimum of 18 meters in depth and half an hour long.
It began two years ago while standing chatting to a couple
of friends between dives. We jokingly suggested doing two inland sites to add a
bit of novelty to our diving. Two days later, the 3Deeps challenge was born and
six weeks later we completed the first run raising £2000 for The Christie in
just under 11 hours. All involved went home tired but happy.
This year we began again by diving in Loch Long at Finnart
(the A Frames), in itself this is a highly underrated dive and could easily
classify as a great dive. 6am, the Loch gently lapping at the road edge, I entered
the water and swam through the low level kelp field down the slope to the first
of the large concrete blocks that formed the old pier base. The abundant life
consists of brightly coloured squat lobsters backing away from the light,
hundreds of shrimps, Blue Blennies seeming to blink at the human interlopers
and butterfish wiggling away into the dark. Crabs scuttle into their sand pits
and the anchored marine organisms are all open and filtering away madly. By the van the driver/support (Rob and Pete) sat
brewing up and frying some bacon butties for our return. Now the gut wrenching
part, I had hit 18 meters and 20 minutes so it was time to return to shore.
As I exited the Loch, Rob was handing out tea and butties
while Pete turned off valves and stacked kit into the minibus, dry suits on top
of the rear seats and in a short space of time we were on the road to our next
dive
On arrival at Capernwray, Guido and Niall made us most
welcome (as usual) with free entry. We must have looked odd; ten people piling
out of a minibus, into kit and into the water en masse almost at a run, returning
half an hour later having reached the sump and turned round. The familiarity and
clarity of Capernwray makes for a relaxed dive, so one hour fifteen minutes
later we had hit the road again. Still happy but a little more tired. That was
England covered.
Cake, energy drinks, mars bars and a drive through meal
fuelled us up for the final stop at Vivian. Once again the diving fraternity
showed its generosity with John (the owner of Vivian) giving us a great welcome
and free entry. In I plunged heading downwards in search of an 18 meter dip. I
then circled upwards around the walls and after investigating the nooks and
crannies I came to the surface having completing the three dives in ten hours
and 43minutes.
So what makes this a great dive? In classic dive terms
Finnart does it for clarity of water, marine life and environment but added to
that it’s great to dive three substantially different sites in one day, each
with its own inherent characteristics and challenges. As with all diving, spending
time with likeminded people all enjoying the diving, building good memories and
having a laugh. However the real bonus and what makes this my greatest dive is
the fact that I have had the opportunity to use the hobby I love to do some
good and raise money for a great cause The Christie.
If you wish to support us the online website for donations
is www.justgiving.com /3deeps
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