I first started diving more than five years ago, but it's only recently that I can truly say I've dived in central London; as A few weeks ago I carried out a search and recovery dive for a handbag in Hyde Park.
We were called to the park because a boat had capsized in the serpentine tipping out a small family and their possessions, including an expensive Louis Vuitton BAG. Upon my arrival Alex, who runs Diving Leisure London, and I discussed the best search patterns; considering what we knew to be the likely conditions in the lake. We then kitted up and got in. Once underwater we found it was incredibly murky and at times it was like swimming through thick oil because of a large amount of leafy mulch. Even though Alex was right beside me, I couldn't see him. The lack of visibility, led us to keep a tight search pattern and at times we needed to feel our way along. After a short period of time we retrieved the bag and a pair of sandals that had also fallen in. We then surfaced and returned them to the husband who had waited by the lake. The rest of the family had gone to dry off and warm up.
A little further afield, when I'm not rescuing handbags, I teach in a lake on the outskirts of the M25. Once again, not the best dive site in the world but it is great for training new divers. For me, the larger deeper inland dive sites is where the fun really starts and once I'm in the sea off the UK coast, that's where I'm in my element.
There are many misconceptions about UK diving, for example lack of visibility, the cold, nothing down there etc. This really isn't true. Visibility off the coast isn't always spectacular, though how often do you actually look at something that's more than five metres away from you? And the colder waters don't have to be a problem as a good drysuit will supply you with ample insulation.
As far as what's down there is concerned, there is loads; a great abundance of marine life including seals, dogfish and basking sharks (which eat plankton). After all the marine life, there are thousands of wrecks at various depths including many that are perfect for technical dives. As a huge fan of wrecks I am spoiled for choice.
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