Buckland Lake 26th March 2010
On the above date a few people visited Buckland Lake a new location for diving in the area, I sourced the Lake and it looked ideal for our trainees and testing equipment however before we take in trainees I thought it best to do a check of the location to ensure it met our needs and to acclimatise the instructors to the site.
On Land:
I was the DM and Monika was my beautiful Assistant DM for the day. We all arrived approximately 9.30am, as the site is only open from that time, I picked Monica up approx 8.30am so it was a nice short journey to the site in comparison so some of our trips. When we arrived I have to say there is a small car park but this is managed by the people on site by ensuring the site it booked before arriving thus making sure it doesn’t get too packed. We was met by a huge number of friendly water flies thankfully they do not seem to bite but it was a little disconcerting but what do we expect from a nature reserve, note to self wear a hat and cover up as much as possible before setting off there. Trolleys are made available for the short walk to the changing area which is normally concrete however on the 26th the water was a little high and they had placed wooden decking on this to raise the changing area above the water level which I thought was well organised. We announced ourselves to the admin area and paid our dues (£10 and some of this goes to the Nature Reserve which I like the idea of), showed our qualification cards and set about getting ready for the dives. The site admin gave us a brief of the site and all the facilities are there in fact the changing area is brilliant with raised wooden benches which make it nice and easy to kit up. Load of room too. There is a pontoon which we stride off to begin the dive any shore help cannot go onto the pontoon but other than that they can go anywhere else on the site. There is a small shop which is where the admin is done, outside this is a barbeque area with patio tables to sit for lunch if required. A compressor hut is available for air you must pay for this at the admin area prior to leaving the cylinders for fill similar to Guildy. There is a portaloo, this is the only thing that I think I really did not like but needs must. There are no shower facilities but don’t know about you but I never used them at the other sites, I prefer to wait till I get home.
Underwater:
After the briefing which was informative we looked at the plan of the underwater site and planned our dives, there was a lot to see Monika and I thought we would do two dives but it was a little cold so only managed one but it was a very good one we saw loads. The first dive included little area with trees, Large boat, Swimming round a Great White Shark, Small power boat, Lorry platform and a few other items of interest, we sent an e-mail on the computer near the entry point, rang someone from the phone on the Lorry platform. How much fun does this sound, and we only did half of the area we were very pleased with the dive, we exited on the steps this could get a little confusing but all was well in the end.
The viz was not too bad however the floor is very silty like Guildy so buoyancy is very important if you touch the floor you can be engulfed by the silt, beware.
The feedback by all was a good day diving and well worth another visit, I have organised a revisit open to all so if you would like to come along let me know either on a Wed evening before please note I have to know number before the day to inform the site admin or you may not be able to attend. This visit is on the 16th April 2011, I will send out the details to all who let me know they want to come along nearer the day.
Useful links: Dive Centre who run the site = Polaris Scuba Diving: Lake = Buckland Lake.
I look forward to another great visit with you all soon. Angela
