The Next Generation - 11/11/2018

It's interesting watching the next generation of scuba divers come through the ranks. They are the guys who will be the club instructors in 3-4 years time. I may or may not even be diving.

At Drishaig Reef I took in three different trainees.

• Freeflow Bob (Master Diver Trainee)
• Smyler (Drysuit Diver Trainee)
• Chico (Branch Diver Trainee)

It was genuinely fascinating watching them all psyche themselves up for things that I now don't even think about, but 8 years ago would of caused nerves. It dawned on me - no one likes being assessed. The one plus they all have is that they all had me as an instructor. 😁

First up was Ol' Freeflow who needed a 30m assisted ascent assessed. He'd failed one and passed one before. It should of been pretty straightforward..... and it was. Afterwards we chatted about ascent rates and how it's better to be slower than too fast.

Then I moved onto drysuit skills with Smyler. He's a PADI AOW diver with limited experience and no drysuit experience. Like Freeflow, it all went exceptionally well except for a wee wobble just before we did a safety stop. I held him down, righted him and then proceeded.

Finally, it was Chico time! I was taking him in for his second dive. We went down to 9m and finned about, turned and came back up slowly. He too had a wee wobble at 4m, but I was expecting it. 

All in I emerged kind of proud of myself. Three training dives, three passes. What's more, they all loved it. That was a win. 

Chico on his 2nd dive

We may have misread the tide

 

Learning to Teach - 08/07/2018

I'm still pretty new to the instructing thing, despite being a reasonably experienced diver. In some ways, I'm learning how to talk about diving all over again. There are things I take for granted. For example, going down to 30m isn't a big deal. Neither is going to 40m if I'm being honest. I forget that for others this isn't the case.

So when I took the Landlady and Freeflow Bob down to 30m to assisted ascents. I forgot that not everyone would be comfortable going from 0 to 30m in about 4 minutes. I shouldn't of been surprised when we reached the required depth and one diver wasn't comfortable.

We tried the ascent, it wasn't great, but we still had another attempt to get it right.

This time I tried a different approach, I was going to to go slower and deeper before bringing the student up to the required 30m for the ascent.  It worked a treat. All of a sudden the depth wasn't nearly such an issue. Afterall, we were already coming back into the 'shallows'.

So there you have it. You learn something new everyday.

More Than One Direction - 02/06/2018

Amidst the nonsense of training, my buddy (Walker Texas Ranger) and I decided to mix things up and swim in the opposite direction of where we'd conventionally dive at Drishaig Reef. We didn't think much would come of it.

We had expected the reef to end and a silty seabed to stretch on forever. For much of the dive it did. then, as we gave up hope the seabed unfurled its skirts and revealed a curious reef. Small, and stretching over a few square metres it contained a variety of life.

Multiple dogfish lazed amongst the seaweed. Large nudibranchs slugged across the rocks. While highland dancers gently laid their ribbon eggs. It was quite remarkable to see so much life in one small bit of reef.

We surfaced and wondered how many people had ever rebelled against the dive guide. It would seem sometimes there is more than one direction.

Highland Dancer

Flabellina Lineata

Catshark

The King & I - 24/05/2018

So with a trip to Rocky & Zabargad on the horizon the Kingmaker was back in the water giving his kit a nice 30m shake down. I was driving so I got to pick the site and as I hadn't been to Drishaig in about a year that was where I chose. We kitted up in some pretty stormy weather before heading down the old fisherman's path and into the water.

The Kingmaker had forgotten his primary torch and my old primary was, er, out of action after a mishap a few weeks before. So between the two of us we had a cumulative total of about 800 lumens of light.  That wouldn't stop us. Afterall, we're tough folk up here. It would, however,  limit our ability to spot life. As it was, the life found us.

There were nudibranchs, firework anemones, a sea mouse, and all kinds of little critters. And the vis?! Despite being stormy and brown on the surface under 5m it was pretty clear - easily 5m, but dark.

After about 40 minutes we surfaced and made our way back. All in all a pretty decent shakedown. Roll on May!!

Highland Dancers

Sea mouse

Northern Promise (1) - 17/08/2017

When I suggest to Midge (a diver that the Kingmaker and I met on our last trip to Egypt) that he comes to Scotland to dive I promised a number of things that he'd be able to do, dive and see.

When anyone comes to visit me in Scotland I want them to leave with a good impression. I'm proud of where I'm from. As such I gave Midge some options. He and Miss Hayes (his carer on his first adventure north of Glasgow) chose Anchor Point and Drishaig Reef for day one. Anchor Point was chosen because it is a scenic wall dive and Drishaig Reef because of the firework anemones and potential to see thornback rays.

The weather was always going to be mixed but the dry spells held out long enough for us to have a good time.

We kitted up at Anchor Point with both my Anglo companions already in awe of the scenery at the surface. Impressing them was going to be easy. :)

As we went down Miss Hayes seemed to be having a problem with her BCD, with Midge unable to fix a problem that I'd already noticed, I quickly sorted it. I think it helped her trust me as a guide. After all, she hadn't ever met me before and I could tell they were concerned about depth being that most of their UK shore dives were about 6m.

We went down and I instantly spotted two conger eels (something that was on Midge's list of wanna sees) and a large strawberry deeplet anemone. We pottered about looking at the array sea stars that were on show. We surfaced yards from our entry point. From then on they were hooked on Scottish shore diving.

Our second dive took us across to Drishaig Reef where I guaranteed them the opportunity to see firework anemones  and the potential of thornback rays. Sadly I failed on the thornback ray front....today.

I left them to head north to their campsite while I raced back to Glasgow to get our tanks refilled for day two.

Midge enjoys the view

My Word is my Bond - 14/06/2017

When I offered to take Captain Al to Drishaig Reef I promised him three things:

1. a steep descent from the car to the shore
2. firework anemones
3. the potential of some thornback rays.

Captain Al had never dived this site, as many people haven't, it is not a desperately interesting place. In the main, it is a large silt bed, requiring good buoyancy and finning. I purposely under sold it as a place to dive and oversold the treachery of the slope - in fairness, it is pretty treacherous.

However, despite the slope, the Captain was pleasantly surprised by the ease of entry in his twinset, and also by the pebble beach as a spot for a BBQ.

We buddy checked and headed in to the amusement of some non-diving muggles up in the lay-by, Once under, we'd be down about 5 minutes when the first Thornback Ray popped up, then, while Captain Al was following it for a picture, another appeared. I felt vindicated knowing full well that firework anemones were a certainty.

No sooner had the excitement of the rays dissipated when we encountered the first firework anemone. An attempt to steady himself meant that Captain Al accidentally disturbed the anemone and it closed it up. However, at this site it isn't a problem - a short swim and we had a few more.

We turned back, both of us slowly leaking in the neck. Just as we were about to safety stop a third ray appeared.

As we ascended the slope to the car I felt like a man who's word is his bond.

Ray number 2

Anemone

The Big Frewbowski & The Curious Case of the Missing Sock - 02/02/2017

Sunday's dive threw up a curious case of a missing Fourth Element Arctic sock. My initial theory was that I'd left it at Drishaig Reef last week. I convinced Jester that a return to the site was just what the Dr had ordered and explained about my lost sock. Inviting the Walkman along for the ride we met at Costa and headed up in what seemed to be storm like conditions.

Upon arrival in the I searched for the sock in the pouring rain before considering that it probably wasn't work the effort and opting to get changed in the car. Then just as we were heading into the water we entered the eye of the storm and a very sudden calm.

Now the Walkman hadn't ever seen a cuttlefish, a firework anemone or a thornback ray. The only thing we guaranteed was firework anemone's. 

The dive began slowly with a float down to around 30m, but it was on our return to the surface that real action happened. In total as a group we found:

• 3 thornback rays
• 2 cuttlefish
• 2 red gurnards
• >6 Firework anemones

In fact, I spent more time with thornback rays on the dive dive than I have in the preceding 360.

We returned to the surface somewhat astonished. I still haven't found the sock. The weather got worse as we dekitted.

I attach a trio of Jester original images of the three Thornback Rays.

Death Ray - 26/01/2017

As regular readers will know last week Jester and I were hampered in our attempt to dive Drishaig Reef. This week there were no such impediments to our plan. We arrived under the cover of darkness and dived.

As we kitted up I was wondering if this my first ever night dive at this site. Well, as it turns out it is indeed the first time I've ever dived it under the cover of darkness. Although I have dived it on a summers evening and on the odd occasion when the light has been unable to penetrate much beyond 10m. So tonight was a first.

The site itself is pretty unspectacular - a steep muddy entry to the beach, a small sparse rocky reef and a very silty bottom. Aside from being home to some of the most easily accessed firework anemones it doesn't have a great abundance of (interesting to me) sea life.

Tonight was a little different - as we know every dive site improves with the onset of night.

As we descended Jester scored first with what would ultimately be the winning goal when he spotted a young thornback ray. I shot back with a big sea scorpion, a cuttlefish and two red gurnards. However, Jester was not to be bettered when he countered with two nudibranch species and a mermaid's purse.

What made the dive interesting for me was that I took my UV torch with me, but not unfortunately my yellow mask screen. It was clear that a few things will fluoresce:

• Corkwing wrasse
• Firework anemones
• Cuttlefish
• Flabellina Lineatas

After 35 minutes I was starting to feel the cold having forgotton half of my undersuit. So we slowly made our way back to the surface and celebrated the sighting of what we affectionately called the Death Ray.

The following photographs are all Jester originals.....

Firework Anemone

Sea Scorpion

Thornback (Death) Ray

Mermaid's Purse

Tea & Tiffin - 16/08/2015

With the weather forecast to be a bit miserable, myself, the Mermaid and Jester headed over to the Tea Rooms, Loch Fyne for a dive, shelter and tea! 

Described by Jester as the diving equivalent of 'glamping', the Tea Rooms is a small spit and lagoon popular with fishermen and divers. It is also the site of a small garden centre and tearoom called the Quarry View Garden Centre. Now, if you want to dive or fish here do phone ahead and don't bring your own picnic! The owner, quite rightly, does not take too well to misbehaving divers or fishermen. 

Anyway, back to diving. As it turned out the weather was bright and sunny and without the need for shelter. The day started well with a bacon roll before we kitted up and headed for the outside of the spit. We plopped into dark, but clear, water and made our way down to 19m.

We encountered a nice selection of fish - saith, wrasse, cod and a nervous catshark. There were some pretty critters too including:

• Devonshire Cup Corals
• Northern Sunstars
• Bloody Henrys
• Common Sunstars

As we came round the point and started to make for shallower waters we had a great encounter with a very curious Ballan Wrasse.

It was a nice dive that more than whiled away an hour.

Then it was time for lunch - toasties all round - before we headed along the road to Drishaig for some firework anemone action. It has to be said, the Mermaid was coming to grips with her new equipment, but we didn't expect her to also demonstrate a new form of site entry technique that effectively involved sliding down the small hill uncontrollably into the thorns and nettles at the bottom. Myself and Jester offered the appropriate level of faux sympathy before helping her to her feet.

The second dive was alright, but after a great first dive it was never going to be that spectacular.

Common sunstar

Devonshire cup coral

Northern sunstar

Ballan wrasse

Creepy statue

Northern sunstar

Firework anemone

Scorpion fish

Mermaid's purse

Anemone of the State - 27/06/2015

So with the weather looking fair, Jester and I decided to go out and photograph different types of anemone. Our first and what was to be our last dive of the day was at Drishaig Reef, Loch Fyne. As we kitted up and headed in we joined briefly by Phil Cunningham - the legendary Scottish folk musician. We chuckled as we entered the water.

Heading down to 30m we noticed a very distinct thermocline as the temperature dropped from an almost tropical 14c to 8c at about 6m. The temperature change wouldn't just have an affect on our extremities, but also Jesters camera which was suffering from condensation.

Enjoying the langoustine and firework anemones we bumbled along for 30 minutes before cold got the better of us. Heading up, we passed back through the thermocline. It was like stepping into a warm bath and made the safety stop very nice indeed.

On the surface the real action happened. Jester was coming out of his drysuit when he ripped his wrist seal. The diving was over for the day, but we still met big Phil.

Firework anemone

Firework anemone

Langoustine

The Crutch - 07/06/2015

When the Kingmaker asked if I'd join him and Dr Gore as potential crutch for Dr Gore's return to coldwater diving. I was flattered. As it was, I was pretty redundant - except for my position as fin helper on and off because one of us (coughs, the Kingmaker) was too lazy to change fin straps. We dived two sites in Loch Fyne - Drishaig Reef and Seal Reef en route home.

I haven't dived Drishaig Reef in ages. It's a very silty site with little life beyond the spectacular array of firework anemones and, like many people, I often disregard it for a quick dip. 

Wait....did I just type that right? "A spectacular array of firework anemones."  Yes. A freakin' forrest of one of the most beautiful anemones in Scottish waters. We even got blase' as we skipped from anemone to anemone judging them for photographic purposes as though it were a beauty pageant.

We had a great dive. It included:

• Catsharks
• Langoustine
• Firework anemones
• Highland dancers
• Flabellinas
• Great vis beyond an initial halocline

The second dive was pretty good too. delivering a nice selection of local wildlife and the thought of what the collective name is for a pair of Highland dancers. I'm going for a breast of highland dancers. Thoughts and answers on a postcard to the comments section below.

Firework anemone

Sneaky catshark

Firework anemone

Flabellina lineata

Highland dancer

Yarrell's blenny

Highland dancer

Wet lensed lovers

A Commonwealth of Anemones - 29/07/2014

With Glasgow in full Commonwealth Games swing, the Announcer and I headed out the city to Loch Fyne for a dive. Drishaig Reef was our destination of choice as the Announcer had never seen the fine array of Firework Anemones. The day started badly with me forgetting my drysuit and the Zookeeper cancelling on us due to unforeseen circumstances. A quick trip back to my house and we headed out.

At the site we kitted up headed down to 25m where we encountered our first anemone of the day (we saw about 10 in all). Swimming along we also bumped into a nice wee scorpion fish in amongst the usual array of life.

In terms of photography I took lot of pictures of the anemones and the scorpion fish, but not much else.

Firework Anemone

Scorpion fish

Scorpion fish

Firework Anemone

Firework Anemone

The Five Dive Weekend Part 2 - 15/06/2014

With three dives bagged the day before, today was to be a more sedate affair. Two dives with Mr Fallsoveralot (name change coming soon as he didn't fall once - yet again). Previously, he had expressed a desire to try out Drishaig Reef, Loch Fyne and as I hadn't dived Loch Long in a few weeks I fancied one there.

With my tanks filled at Aquatron, we headed up later in the morning. When we arrived at Drishaig there was a car there already. Our initial thought was that there must be other divers there but we soon learnt that they were fishermen. I went down and chatted and explained that he was wasting his time as there were hardly any fish in this bit of the loch, and told him of my dive plan so that I wouldn't get snagged in his line. He was really nice and really thankful for the information on the underwater terrain. When we got out the water he was gone.

We followed the same dive plan I've done the last few times at this site. Dive down to 30m turn right and swim to the right until you find the firework anemones and then slowly work your way up and back. It worked a treat. Grant was delighted to see, and photograph, the anemones. My own camera wasn't doing so well, as I'd cased it up in quite a humid environment and as I dived it condensed on the inside. Few pics were taken.

Once done we dekitted and headed for the Caves, Loch Long, but on arrival all the spaces were full with fishermen. So we headed round to the A-Frames. Rumours of poor visibility over the last few weeks had obviously discouraged people, as the place was empty.

We kitted up and headed in, attracting a lot of attention from Sunday drivers who were all keen to know what we were diving for. "Fun" was typically my answer.

The visibility was great around 5m, loads of great life and plenty of fish. Cuckoo Wrasse, Corkwing Wrasse, Cod, etc. Navigating from frame to frame was easy. We had a rare tear.

Though we surfaced quite far from the entry/exit point as my compass was literally spinning all over the place towards the end. Thus ended (from a diving perspective anyway) the Five Dive Weekend.

Mr Fallsoveralot

Celtic Feather Star

I loved this wee guy. See the video below.

Mr Fallsoveralot

Coiled Firework at Drishaig

The Lion's King - 03/06/2014

The Usual Suspects

The Mermaid had asked the Zookeeper and I if we wanted to dive on Tuesday. Naturally, with pleasing weather and some flexi-time from work I was unlikely to say no. As per usual we met at the Sealife centre and headed north from there.

Our destination was to be Drishaig Reef, Loch Fyne a site that none of us had ever dived. The dive guide made it seem quite a sedate affair (it was) but we were hoping for Firework Anemones and maybe some other interesting critters.

As always when diving with the potent combination of the Zookeeper and the Mermaid you have to keep your wits about you - you never know when you're going to get snapped. As such, I kept my trademark look - Smoulder™ - on at all times. I can be seen Smouldering™ in almost every shot. It's safe to say that antics weren't in short supply.

We kitted up in a relatively midgie free environment  entered the water and headed straight down to 29 metres turned left and pottered about. Firework anemones by the bucket load. It's a great site if you want photograph them. Moving back to the shallows, there was the usual assortment of life including dabs, squat lobsters and brittle stars. 

Team Biff (1)

Team Biff (2)

The dive highlight for me was as we reached around 5m at the end of the dive. The sunlight streaming down into the seaweed made it seem almost tropical, then as I looked up I saw something I haven't seen since my earliest days of diving - even then, back in those days I was too scared to approach it - a lion's mane jellyfish. It wasn't a massive one, but it's tentacles were easily 2m in length. I swam around it being careful not to get stung. It was beautiful. 

Heading in at Drishaig

Once out of the water we quickly dekitted as the midgies were massing and we jumped in cars back towards Conger Alley on Loch Long. We wanted to see if we could find the octopus again and the Zookeeper had some old squid for luring out the the conger eels.

Once there we encountered the full wrath of the Highland Midge -  it was unpleasant - so quickly kitted up and entered the water. The visibility was very poor and not a patch on the 5-7m we had encountered at Loch Fyne. I estimate that in the first 10m it was probably less than 1m. However, by the time we reached our destination (20m) although it was pitch black, the visibility was around 4m or as far as your torch could penetrate. It was also noticeably colder. 

We lured out a conger and took some pics before setting off in search of Paul the Octopus. We found him lurking in his usual place. I never took any pictures, but the Zookeeper force fed him a camera lens - it doesn't pay to be shy in this game.

At this stage the Mermaid of Kilmarnock signalled that she was four minutes from deco. We safely headed up, and out, to the waiting ravenous horde and bolted to McDs for a late night hot chocolate.

Another hour and half of diving in the bag.

Firework Anemone 1

Firework Anemone 2

Firework Anemone 3

Firework Anemone 4

Safety Stop

Lion's Mane 1

Lion's Mane 2

Seaweed

Bloody Henry

Sea Cucumber

Filming

Lured out

Octopus by Laura