Warming up for the New Season!!...

National Diving Centre(NDC) at Chepstow

Just thought I'd let everyone know what a lovely place this is for a training weekend. The water was a bit on the cold side 8 degrees, but visibility a reasonable 5 meters even at depths of 20 - 25 meters with no torch needed. Being a rock quarry there is far less sediment than at Gildenburg and no geese providing a guaranteed slippery green surface! Rainfall does impact on vis but it had clearly been raining recently so I was pleasantly surprised at the clarity. For those disinclined because of the cold, they did hire dry suits but as I learnt these are no easy things to get used to. Just when I thought I'd really got it sorted I ended up the wrong way up - valuable lesson leant and one which will keep me safe in less controlled situations.

Not many novices present - nearly all the divers were decked out like Christmas Trees - and of course in black, but they still managed to kick up a bit of silt at the bottom which made me smile and they happily helped out those who did not have the uniform and suitable accoutrements which made me smile more. The lake is quite large with plenty of variation in depths with the deep end being clearly marked out so a little something for everyone.

The folks there are very friendly and really do keep a weather eye out on the lake users to ensure a rapid response to difficulties - something else a little lacking at other training sites. They are planning a lot more work over the next few years but mean time the catering van provides good hot food at a very reasonable price and there is somewhere to shelter if the weather isn't so good. The air fills were so quick there was barely time to get a cup of tea!

It was a bit of a way to travel and for a single day this may be off putting but there is a local pub (The Huntsman Hotel) that does discounts for divers - it only cost me £30 for B&B for an ensuite double room- all they had left, but singles are cheaper. Good food and drink - excellent value

I went with Tim & Brian and learnt a great deal including that even experienced divers like to consolidate their skills with a bit of practice. They are hoping to run another opportunity for some skills practice in March if anyone is interested - I for one will be going back, not least because I left my weight belt there! Seriously though Gildenburg is only 30 mins from my house but I would be just as happy to travel to NDC and use what seemed to me to be cleaner, friendlier and efficient environment for my next practice sessions.

One of the things that had worried me is that my presence would mean less adventure for Brain and Tim but that was not the case at all as they were checking out kit etc so they were more than happy as the teaching aspect was another skill they could practice. That's probably worth adding as I nearly didn't go rather than be a nuisance.

Janette Bennett