After the disappointment and cancellations of 2020, 2021 has been a much more prosperous dive year for me! 97 sea dives [disappointed I didn’t quite make it 100] roughly a dozen trips to Capernwray, 4 months worth of pool sessions and a stray visit to a slate quarry in Wales…each and every one in UK waters.
It also was my proper introduction to life as an active member of Huddersfield SAC with my first [and second and third and fourth] club trip, the beginning of my instructing adventures and flying the Huddersfield SAC flag whilst on expeditionWET for BSAC.
Spring brought us all out of hibernation following lockdown 2.0 and a flurry of Capernwray days to check drysuits fit and skills were sharp. I’d bought a camera in lockdowns so didn’t waste time heading for some shore dives on Anglesey, with the Adelphi Vault, Amlwch as a base enjoying plenty of catsharks posing for pictures and even the odd nudibranch, I had caught the photographers bug. 
Next an impromptu trip to Eyemouth with Alex, Rich, Rachel and James. The mist descended and Rich’s hopes of the Glanmire were dashed, however Rachel and I benefitted with a great octopus encounter [once Rachel spotted it of course]
Extreme underwater bird spotting filled my next trip to the east coast, alas my photography skills weren’t quite up to it, but I highly recommend checking out Mike Clark Photography so some fabulous stills of the day.
Next was expeditionWET [western ecology tour] a fantastic 9 days diving with some friends for life, I produced an article for iScuba following this I recommend reading for more info.
June brought the euros [football that is] and a club trip to St Abb’s, a chance to tryout my twinset! A drysuit malfunction almost ended my weekend until uncle Ray’s 
spare came to save the day. Not one to miss the chance of an extra dive Rachel and I stopped off at Seahouses for the football and braved the seas only 8 hours after that fateful penalty shootout. We were rewarded with some shy seals and a cracking dive on the Abyssinia wreck.
Next my baptism into UK diving folklore, my maiden trip to Orkney and the wrecks of Scapa Flow. A trip in the aptly named ‘covid bus’ given the 6 divers various professional connections to different NHS trusts we headed to Aviemore, then Scrabster and finally Stromness when we boarded the Clasina and set sail for Cape Wrath. A shorter trip out than expected due to the weather but far enough to dive Sule Stack [and its 30m vis] before returning to Orkney to dive the famous cruisers in the flow. The diving is remarkable and all UK divers should go there at least once, I’d signed up for 2022 before I got home! 
This trip also signalled a fond farewell to previous club chair Jill who coaxed us out to an island pub, danced on the tables, earned us free drinks and the eye of the landlord. We all wish Jill a great time on her new adventure in Dubai – Club trip to UAE anyone?
September brought with it a long weekend to Loch Fyne and 6 relaxing dives with Malc aboard Big Blue. Frankie appeared to do more fishing than diving but it didn’t go unrewarded with buckets of seafood our prize for his exploits.
The end of summer signalled the long awaited pool reopening. Its been a busy few months for all of the instructor team with more than 10 trainees getting through their ocean diver pool work and just as many try dives, well done to all…especially if you were stuck with me for any of it! Special mention to Scott squeezing his sport diver training dives in through October late night openings at Capernwray on Wednesday evenings, did give a good chance to practice some night diving skills too!
As Christmas came upon us so did the traditional Christmas Wet. The idea is pick a dive location, gather the team, make a turkey dinner and spread some cheer…if we manage to go diving all the better. This year the plan was Farnes, but following several storms, dropping temperatures and likely poor vis, the majority called off the diving. It’s fair to say the Christmas Wet was largely curtesy of the ales and whiskey of the Ship Inn, Seahouses! Special thanks to Kate and her reindeers, mainly Ray, for making us all an excellent xmas dinner.
So 2021 is over, 2022 brings at least 8 club trips [I’m on at least 5] including new trips to Plymouth and Dunoon. Who knows maybe I’ll head to warmer waters too.
