Easter Training Trip to Porthkerris Porthkerris April 2009 Trip Report Index

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Trip organised by:       Report by:

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The Divers:

• Instructors:

  • John Kendall
  • Rachael Macdonald
  • Ian Gregory
  • Matt Watson
  • Matt Worsley
  • David Martin

  Dive Leader Students / Assistant Instructors:

  • Ro Crawford
  • Georgie Stooke-Vaughan
  • Stuart Moore
  • Neil Taylor

  Ocean Diver Students:

  • Christian Ashby
  • Alexey Bannykh
  • Kat Belaya
  • Guy Jones
  • Beccy Mant
  • Sierhai Maslau
  • Maksim Tsytlonok
  • Jessica Waters

  Sports Diver Students:

  • Johanna Geiss
  • Benjamin Becker

Details

The Dive Centre

Porthkerris Divers, http://porthkerris.com/

Accommodation:

Sea Acres, a caravan site near Kenack Sands. Diver friendly (also had the Oxford and Imperial dive clubs staying there), and had a compressor on site (although more expensive than Porthkerris. Had a bar, small shop, crazy golf centre and laundrette.

http://www.parkdeanholidays.co.uk/cornwall-holidays/sea-acres/sea-acres-holiday-park.htm

(Note: The same group also have a park at Mullion, a possible alternative dive site)

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Diving

Shore Diving

Mainly diving from the cove at the north end of Porthkerris beach (near the MOD building), though occasionally using the main beach. Lots of crabs, and plenty of fish - especially in the northern area near the gulleys. Further out, round the back of the main rocks, the diving goes to 12-15m with many starfish, anemones and dead man's fingers - and larger crabs and fish. By swimming straight out from the bay for 100m or so it is possible to get 15-16m depth, and find many sea cucumber.

Boat Diving

The Rock Island Bridge

We made two dives to the Rock Island Bridge, a wreck in 10-12m of water, about 10min Rib ride form Porthkerris. The wreck is largely flattened, but with some structure still visible; its main attraction is the amount of life on it. Highlights included a conger eel (spotted by Georgie roughly in the middle of the ship, near where the shot had been dropped), many wrasse (some of whom were seen building nests with seaweed), spider crabs, edible crabs and starfish. Many scallops were brought up, providing much food for Friday's BBQ.

Rocky Shelves

Due to swell on Thursday afternoon, the boat didn't return to the Rock Island Bridge - instead Andy found some rocky outcrops in the next bay North, around 10-15m. This proved a very good dive, full of life, including many people seeing a dogfish, as well as a range of other fish, sea cucumbers and crabs. A very good dive site for a random choice, and worth returning to in the future.

The Socialising

Barbecues

On the first night, we had a barbecue with OUUEG, our sister club from 'the other place'.

Pub Quiz

Georgie organised a pub quiz which we held in the bar (with another quiz going on in the neighbouring entertainment centre - Georgie's was better).

 

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©CUUEG 2011