Wendy Northway
As dawn arrived on Saturday morning, VRSAC were working hard in the car park at Rhoscolyn, prepping the 2 boats in glorious sunshine. Neptune must have been looking down on us as we anticipated a weekend’s diving to mark the Branch’s 30th anniversary celebrations. 1st boat out was to an old favourite – The Beacons. Lots of specific dives were requested this w/end and Dive Manager Stella strived to achieve all wishes. First down was Paul’s final drill for Sport’s Diver – SMB use. There was no shortage of instructors to coach him in this. Alan had his first boat dive in the UK as did Jamie. Visibilty was exceptional, particularly as when the poor weather we have experienced this year, was taken into consideration. I estimated about 10m – everyone concur? The current had picked up when me and Alan dropped in which took us on a mighty fine drift from the nearside of the Beacons to the Lookout! Unfortunately we quickly fell of the reef, but were whisked over large sand ripples, taking in spider crabs, sand eels and whole caravans of hermit crabs on the move. Others were treated to the delights of octopus, lobster, cat shark plus a lovely tapestry that made the background of hydroids, bryozoans and crustaceans.
As we arrived back, the Barbie was being lit and John A swapped his aqualung for a spatula. Jane and Val did us proud providing all with delicious delights of chicken, sausages and veggie burgers with copius quantities of crisp salads, buns and cheeses. Whilst this was going on, the 3 of the 4 junior Farnworths, did their 1st open water sea dive in Silver Sands Bay. A resounding thumbs up from all involved!
The afternoon saw the tide turn and thus we went over to conger alley which was rather depleted of congers, but crabs, wrasse, nudibranchs were abundant! The reef itself comprised a fabulous carpet of spiral bryozoans, elephant hide sponges and massive yellow boring sponges, which are really quite interesting.
The boat was quickly taken out of the water so we could get to the Valley in time for the meal. I suffered from the effects of the sun and unfortunately couldn’t join you but a good time was had by all.
Sunday morning and we were several divers down so we only took the one boat. First dive was a proper boat dive for the clan Farnworth, back on the Beacons. One by one they all expertly tumbled over the back of the RIB and descended to the delights of octopus, dahlia anemones, hornwrack and seasquirts! I dived with Andy Shenstone, who was really getting into the swing of boat diving and had probably the best dive on The Beacons in a long time. Conger, snakelocks anemones and pollack were plentiful.
A quick spot of lunch then we were out again. The final dive of the day and it was the hardy divers left as most had gone home. I was buddied with Ariel and on our initial attempt to dive we got swept away on a bearing for Isle of Man – no thank you, that’s next week’s plan! A quick scuttle into the boat we were dropped back on the reef and had a very pleasant dive, watching Pollack hunt sand eels. Dave and Steve persevered with their drift dive and were rewarded with a large ray.
Finally we hauled the boat out and packed up. A lovely w/e was had with good company, excellent weather and superior diving. Roll on the next 30 years!
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