Steve Millard writes:
After returning from a Christmas dive trip to the Philippines ... 30°C air temperature/26°C water temperature ... it was back to cold reality in the UK with snow and ice winter conditions. However, diving is still possible if you are willing to make the effort. Last weekend I completed a BSAC Ice Diver Instructor course in Scotland.
If anyone else from the club is interested in experiencing diving under ice in the UK, there is a 2nd weekend course being held in Scotland this March ... as long as the weather conditions are cold enough for somewhere in Scotland with ice. We were diving under ice using a flooded quarry,
However if the weather is a bit warmer then we would use a loch near Aviemore, Loch Morlich.
You can see for yourself if it has a nice/snow-covered at any time using this website.
Right now, in spite of the complete thaw in Liverpool, it's still looking pretty good.
There is still room on the next ice diving course if anyone is motivated enough to do this.
Early morning, before breaking the ice
Testing the ice
Making a hole
Divers looking a little cold
A triangular hole has structural advantages
Underwater at last
Recovering an ice diver from the water