Spartacat Bank Holiday Dive

All aboard me hearties for a little diving with that touch of 4 star luxury. What better way to wind down a chilled out Bank Holiday weekend, than adventuring out for two dives at 7.45 in the morning?

Different stokes for different folk was apparent by the various journeys the BSAC Hellfins chose to arrive at the Brighton Dive Centre. Some decided to opt for a touch of travelodge hospitality, others decided to chance the hospitality the M25 can provide on a bank holiday Monday. But for the hardcore there was only one choice, getting back to nature, camping in a little village 5 miles outside of Brighton. Being awoke by a genuine coq at sunrise (no - not that sort Clegg, stop getting excited), and experiencing the pay as you go 50p slot shower to achieve a tepid warm water.

The Hellfins antics commenced at an unrespectable time of 7.45am, with an 8.15am departure. All arrived looking bright eyed and bushed tailed, with joyful pensive thoughts, while walking the 60 meters carrying all their diving kit. Once aboard, it was onward and downward. For those who are strangers to the Sparticat, it is a proud catamaran with two propellers at the stern, able to achieve a respectable speed to get you to your location with minimal hassle. The biggest asset is its electronic lift, which is used to jump of on your descent into your dive, and then reused to lift you out of the water back on to the boat, which completes your assent with a little bit of style.

Dive One

The first dive site was a wreck dive. The "City of Brisbane" was her name and it is at depth of 26 meters. The water temperature was a nice 18 DEG C, and most of the Hellfins opted for the wet suit. From the moment you arrived at the bottom of shot you were presented with an impressive shoal of stripy Bib. On further exploration you found a magnificent intact Bow which, when looking up towards the surface, looked similar to a towering wall at angle over you. Apart for the numerous shoals of Bib, there were: Lobsters, Cuttlefish and loads of Edible and Spider crab. The most impressive sight was a big Bass, which, on first impressions, looked similar to a baby shark.

Dive Two

The second dive site was Brighton reef, at a depth of 15 meters. When arriving at the bottom of the shot you were presented with a few rocks, less dramatic than the first dive, but then, more intriguing to find the life of the sea. When following the drift of the current you were able to investigate the nooks and crannies the rock provides life for shelter. Life included: Cuttlefish, Lobster, Conger Eel’s, Edible and Spider Crab. I think a diver must have expelled their breakfast through their direct feed, as there were reports of bits of carrot.

The finally of the morning was getting lost and being driven through the centre of Brighton, and then out the other side to rendezvous at the Greyhound pub to evaluate the dives.

A good dive, a good crowd, a good end to a good weekend.