Seven members of Penrith Divers (sporting new club shirts sponsored by Abbott Lodge Jersey Ice Cream) and their partners met early one morning at Edinburgh airport ready to jet off for a week of diving with Manta Divers at Puerto Del Carmen. Guided ably by George, the group visited caves, swim-throughs, lava walls and even an underwater art installation - the Museo Atlantico.
Day 1:
As day one was Halloween, the challenge had to be diving in fancy dress! Club members rose to
the occasion well but the Barracuda, Sardine shoals, Sea-horses and assorted other sea life that we
passed didn’t seem impressed. However, some members who, up to now, had only dived in English waters were surprised that you were able to see for more than 10 meters underwater and astonished by the amount and variety of sea life around them.
As day one was Halloween, the challenge had to be diving in fancy dress! Club members rose to
the occasion well but the Barracuda, Sardine shoals, Sea-horses and assorted other sea life that we
passed didn’t seem impressed. However, some members who, up to now, had only dived in English waters were surprised that you were able to see for more than 10 meters underwater and astonished by the amount and variety of sea life around them.
Day 2:
From day two we were joined for the remainder of the week by some of our Welsh brethren, who gratefully received their club shirts and adapted well to Northern Club life. This day involved two more dives from the old sea wall steps with sightings of Angel Sharks on both dives and an Octopus or two again.
From day two we were joined for the remainder of the week by some of our Welsh brethren, who gratefully received their club shirts and adapted well to Northern Club life. This day involved two more dives from the old sea wall steps with sightings of Angel Sharks on both dives and an Octopus or two again.
After the day’s two dives it was becoming standard to meet
the partners for a tapas lunch followed by a relaxing
afternoon in the sun.
the partners for a tapas lunch followed by a relaxing
afternoon in the sun.
Day 3:
For the divers, day three involved a visit to the underwater statues and a reef dive from a boat with both dives proving that you don't need to go deep for good diving.
For the non-divers there was a full range of activities from a bus trip round the island for some to an
experimental dip under the water for others.
The excitement continued after the sun went down with a night dive where we had chance to see lots of the small, young and timid sea creatures that try to stay safe by not venturing out in the daytime.
For the divers, day three involved a visit to the underwater statues and a reef dive from a boat with both dives proving that you don't need to go deep for good diving.
For the non-divers there was a full range of activities from a bus trip round the island for some to an
experimental dip under the water for others.
The excitement continued after the sun went down with a night dive where we had chance to see lots of the small, young and timid sea creatures that try to stay safe by not venturing out in the daytime.
Day 4:
Day four was a very special day for one club member who celebrated both his 500th dive and 68th birthday. As Lanzarote is a regular haunt, the day’s boat trip was chosen to include his favourite part of the local reef. A drop down to 18 meters then over the edge of the wall to 30 meters led to encounters with large Barracuda and Grouper along with some of the more usual local wildlife. The
second dive was to the wrecks just off (and in one case built into) the harbour wall. As well as exploring the wrecks, there was much excitement on reaching the bottom as we were joined first by
a Stingray and then by one of the biggest Angel Sharks we had yet seen. All of which made the time spent decompressing at the end well worth it.
Day four was a very special day for one club member who celebrated both his 500th dive and 68th birthday. As Lanzarote is a regular haunt, the day’s boat trip was chosen to include his favourite part of the local reef. A drop down to 18 meters then over the edge of the wall to 30 meters led to encounters with large Barracuda and Grouper along with some of the more usual local wildlife. The
second dive was to the wrecks just off (and in one case built into) the harbour wall. As well as exploring the wrecks, there was much excitement on reaching the bottom as we were joined first by
a Stingray and then by one of the biggest Angel Sharks we had yet seen. All of which made the time spent decompressing at the end well worth it.
Day 5:
Our last day’s diving continued the trend with two very good dives from Black Beach, enjoying some spectacular swim-throughs and a last chance to marvel at creatures like Cuttlefish, Garden Eels and Fireworms. On the way back to the dive centre, members were already asking “Where shall we go next year?”.
Days 6 & 7
The last day and a half on the island involved the obligatory no diving time to allow our bodies to
get back to normal before flying. There were some spectacular thunderstorms to watch and a
chance for the non-divers to show off what they’d learnt about the local area and the island’s
culture. Not to mention a spot of rugby and the famous local Honey Rum to be enjoyed.
Finally its time to get back into English waters and training sessions at Penrith Leisure Centre each
Sunday morning.
Our last day’s diving continued the trend with two very good dives from Black Beach, enjoying some spectacular swim-throughs and a last chance to marvel at creatures like Cuttlefish, Garden Eels and Fireworms. On the way back to the dive centre, members were already asking “Where shall we go next year?”.
Days 6 & 7
The last day and a half on the island involved the obligatory no diving time to allow our bodies to
get back to normal before flying. There were some spectacular thunderstorms to watch and a
chance for the non-divers to show off what they’d learnt about the local area and the island’s
culture. Not to mention a spot of rugby and the famous local Honey Rum to be enjoyed.
Finally its time to get back into English waters and training sessions at Penrith Leisure Centre each
Sunday morning.
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