Hi from the grey seas - Brighton, UK

[Siku]

This time last week I was 10m down in the blue hole Dahab watching freedivers disappear into the deep blue void beneath me. There wasn't time to join them (we had a full schedule yoga and diving booked up) but I had a go snorkling and tentatively diving at 6-10m - obviously I didn't want to push it without any training or information (and I was exhaling as I surfaced so a good thing I didn't!).

Now I'm back at my desk in grey England but itching to learn some freediving techniques. I'm hungry for anything that will bring me closer to the sea - even David Attenborough! I just want to extend my time under water and dispense with the tiresome scuba gear. I don't expect to set records, just my own objectives.

Not sure when I can jet to the tropics again, but I'm inspired to see that there's a community even here in the freezing north of Europe. I'd love to meet some folks in Brighton, otherwise I'll be in touch with some of the London crew (Notanx look interesting.. I'm going to have to miss the course this Sat as I'm on a writing course! Grr!) - please PM me if you know of any events for beginners in the South East of England, otherwise see you in the sea - murky grey or crystal blue!

Siku

 

[agbiv]

Welcome from Texas! Glad you've been bitten by the diving bug. Now you'll never have enough time to put to sea!

 

[The_frogger]

Welcome Siku I am based in Coulsdon on the M23 and I train in Nuffield Crawley's pool some nights. It's only 1.2m deep (and 25m) long but its good for structured training. They allow me to use fins when the pool is quiet. There is also the London International Spearfishing club which has an active member base a lot of whom dive down in Brighton and the South coast.

Send me a PM if you want to hook up for some training or need any more info.

 

[ReefTroll]

Hey there mate, a lovely place to become hooked by the bug from what I've heard.

Welcome to Deeper Blue!

 

[Siku]

ReefTroll - not sure if its a lovely place! lol - its not as idylic as the tropics! but thanks for the welcome.

Frogger - I've signed up to the notanx beginners course on 6th Nov and they suggested I go up there to say hello at one of their training sessions. I'd love to come up to Crawley some time too. Do you ever come down to Brighton? I presume you don't train alone?

 

[The_frogger]

I'm tempted to join the Notanx Kingston session, just need to get a day where it works with work and family commitments.

Unfortunately I have no choice and do train alone from time to time. Those days I (mostly) try and stay on top of the water. It's not easy to find training buddies with times that suit your own or pools that are happy to allow you to swim with fins on when they are not used to that sort of thing on a regular basis. I am actually searching for a longer & deeper pool around here at the moment. South Norwood might be an option as they already do scuba training there.

I am down in Brighton once a month or so. Not been for any diving but I am hoping that will change in the next couple of weeks. I have heard there are a few 10lbs bass with my name on down there round the peer.

 

[ReefTroll]

lol, was talking of your trip to Dahab.

 

[Siku]

Hmm.. I'm going to do a bit of research to see which pools are the deepest round here. Once I've done that notanx course I'll hopefully be in a position to buddy you. Let me know if you decide to do that day.

 

[The_frogger]

I've been in touch with MiG at Notanx and I am hoping to go along for next week Thursday's session in Kingston to see what they are all about. I am not sure about the group training thing but I am open minded enough and will give it a try.

You don't really need a deep pool but it's fun to have the option.

 

[Salehthefish]

Hello and welcome on DB

All best