Sussex Spearing 2012

[BarnacleBoy]

Cheers liam98. I've dived Newhaven enough times to be rather put off places of constant low viz. Not sure I want to do that again at Seaford. I do nearly all of my diving in Dorset now (coast is so much nicer too).

Wonder if there's anywhere else? I've had a good look at Google maps, but nothing comes to mind.

 

[liam98]

Except for a few of the piers i cant think of many places in sussex. only trouble is i dont know and cant find the laws for spearing off a beach in the uk. I know some places iv been to (abroad) its only legal to spear off headlands so i was lead to believe.
The east sussex coast seems to be pretty featureless as far as i can see. if this weather clears up im definatly on my way down to dorset, havent dived there for at least 5 years now.

 

[Broseidon]

No laws against spearing off the beach - the only exceptions are when the land is owned by private estates who can make up their own rules. I think there are one or two places in Devon / Dorset like that. For the rest of the UK though you're fine.

 

[BarnacleBoy]

My understanding is that the law offers a flexible view on it - If you walk through Brighton city centre with your speargun on view, you will probably get in trouble (and rightfully so IMO). If you're strolling down the beach towards the sea with your speargun, then you're fine. Ditto with dive knife. That's my understanding.

 

[liam98]

brilliant, thanks broseidon.

 

[liam98]

looks like il be hitting one of the piers some time soon. anyone dived them before?

 

[bobandsausage]

you might also try Bognor - I had a couple of failed attempts there last year (check the 2011 thread for my fiascos + the wise words from the forum elders). Liam - I'll PM you re the piers in Brighton.
I'm away for work most of the time - can't wait to be around with a bit of time to spare from June - hopefully go for a dive with some of the Sussex spearos.

 

[liam98]

amazing, thanks for the pm. as soon as the swell dies il check them out properly. just waiting for my new 7mm to come through the post for a trip upto scotland in june, i dont think my 3mm picasso will keep me warm enough!! always up for a dive though and would be great to meet some more spearos from sussex!

 

[guybly]

hello guys, anybody want to go Spearfishing or Freediving this Sunday or Monday?

I was thinking of going down to Brighton with my 3mm suit and fight the cold the anyway possible

I dont have a Speargun yet(I want to get one ASAP) so I wouldnt do that much hunting but if I stay away from the water any longer I might dry up!

Cheers guys,

 

[bobandsausage]

alright mate? a young lady is coming to visit me this weekend, so no fishing for me. but I might be able to lend you a speargun - drop me a PM if you're interested.
Nick

 

[liam98]

hi guybly,
im keen for a dive, sundays not a good day for me but monday could be a possibility, i have a spare gun too, all my guns are probally pretty big for uk waters but my smallest are 1meters, never dived in the uk so just to get wet would be interesting. keep an eye on the conditions for monday and wel see what happens.

 

[guybly]

hello liam,
sounds great! bobandsausage said he will go for a swim this weekend and will updated us on the visibility.

Im on the same boat as you, never been diving around these parts but it will be great to get the feet wet. I'll send you a pm with my contact info and will go talking during the weekend.

Cheers,
Guy

 

[enross]

Vis was terrible near eastbourne last night, where abouts do you guys go around east Sussex?

 

[liam98]

hi enross,
where abouts in eastbourne were you? you ever dived down there? just curious as thats my closest beach!!
hopefully heading over to brighton pier on monday, interested?
liam

 

[enross]

It was off Berling Gap, just down the steps and off to the left in front of the cliffs. With better vis I think it has potential, but I'm a complete novice and havnt actually caught anything yet so who knows! Lol

I can't do this weekend at all, I'm stuck indoors doing some DIY! What's it like around the pier?

 

[guybly]

What's it like around the pier?

thats what we are hopeing to find out on monday

if you are free, come on down, the more the merrier.

 

[bobandsausage]

Hmm just had a peek at the water in Brighton - looking pretty brown... I'll go in a bit later once the parking wardens have gone but it's not looking hopeful

 

[liam98]

if youre able to keep us posted bobandsausage (what a name!! ) we'd really appreciate it.
il probally head down to eastbourne tommorw and have a look at the water there. Birling gap is pretty much always out the question thanks to the cliffs, back towards the wish tower it gets rockier and more shelterd and hopefully better viz.

 

[bobandsausage]

Sorry gents, epicly crap viz. arm outstretched I could sometimes see the butt of the speargun. 1ft max. Looked like the entire Sussex population had got the runs and had evacuated themselves in the sea at the same time. The high point of the dive was being shouted at by kids on the pier.

 

[liam98]

gutted, thanks anyway!