Messenger reporter makes a splash at Trafford Sub Aqua Club (From Messenger Newspapers)

Messenger reporter makes a splash at Trafford Sub Aqua Club

12:00pm Monday 8th October 2012 in News By Kate Banks, Reporter

I AM a firm believer in trying everything once, so when Trafford Sub Aqua Club invited me to one of their ‘have a go’ sessions I jumped, or rather, dived at the chance.

The club meets at Urmston Leisure Centre every Wednesday, 9-10pm, with classroom training and social meetings at the John Alker Club, Flixton, before and after the pool sessions.
 

I brought my sister, Jess, along and it was with some trepidation that we arrived at the leisure centre, but club diving officer, Niel Smitham, and equipment officer, Dave Godson, quickly put us at our ease.
 

Once we had got into the pool, Dave instructed us in snorkeling and sculling techniques, both of which felt strange at first, but we soon mastered the skills and we were keen to try the sub aqua equipment.
 

As we are both only 5 ft 2, the oxygen cylinders felt extremely large and heavy when they were strapped to us, but as soon as we had lowered them into the water the weight was lifted.
 

Breathing through the regulator was initially very strange and we both felt like we were not using it correctly, but once we learnt to trust the equipment we were able to swim along the bottom of the pool and it felt exhilarating to have mastered the technique.

We both really enjoyed sub aqua diving and would definitely consider doing it again.
 

Neil said: “I think we’re probably one of the most active North West clubs, we’ve got about 70 members, the youngest being 18 and the oldest 82.

“Getting into diving has enabled me to see so many places around Britain and abroad that I doubt I would have ever seen by not being involved, places like Norway and Orkney, Isle of Man and Ireland, St Kilda in the Outer Hebrides.”
 

Club membership costs £132 per year and all training and use of equipment is free after that.
 

Email training officer, Steve Bettison, at steviebscuba@gmail.com or visit traffordsubaqua.co.uk for more information.