The Rez - Underground reservoir.

[diving_moose]

Not sure if anybody saw the article in diver Magazine sometime ago now in relation to the Rez www.therezuk.net. The Rez was formerly a Severn Trent Water Authority Reservoir, which was an open water facility in the mid 1800’s. If you visit the site it is all explained and there is some pics as well.
Well i went today to give it a try.
Was booked in at 11.00am and got there for about 1015am and was met by the owner, martin. He took us to the cafe which is on site and has been put into what i believe to be one of the old pump house buildings, its all brand spanking new and no exspense has been spared, full food menu and snaks and of course a wide selection of those tea's, coffees and big wedges of homemade flapjack, its a must. We filled in the usual paper work and martin checked our qualifications and then took us on a walk round the area and give us an insight into the history of the place and how we gain entry and exit to the rez. Whistle's were given for safety and a full safety brief given and its quite obvious the project has been done properly.
Martin will only give you brief info into the layout of the rez once your in there just to make it that little more exciting. One word of advice from martin was small torches no huge things brighter than the sun or this would spoil the dive.
Myself and daz entered the rez via the ladder area down to a small platform which enables you to put fins on etc, its then a case of jumping into the chest high water and when ready submerge through the tunnel. Once in the rez its a great experience pitch black only the small light given off from our backup torches. Its hard to describe but this place will be ideal for those wanting a bit of an overhead experince or those budding cave divers wanting to practise laying lines etc. The area is sub divided by walls and tunnels allowing you entry into the different areas and the viz is superb. Total area of the rez is 40m x 20m and although its only 2m depth it is a novel dive and a great place for instructors to take students for a novel dive and training as there is a air pocket above surface the rez roof so if people are not comfortable they can surface get there selfs together and then carry on.
We did an hour first dive and a hour second dive and took numerous pics that i will post later when i have sorted through the S**T ones.
Martin was a top bloke and has set this up very professionaly and at the moment there is not alot in the rez as he wants people to give him ideas in relation to what to put in there ie brick tunnels and he's even said about outting in a kelp bed. he is also in the process of getting ready to put some fish in there. He is open for all ideas and its best to give it a dive and then see what you think will make it even better.
Pics will follow at some time.
Cheers Lee

[Alan]

I met the guy who runs the Rez's folks in Sharm last month. They mentioned that their son, has set up this underwater water system into some cave diving training centre.

Sounds very cool!

I know it's a long shot but I will be passing not far from the "Rez" on Tue 30th August on my way down to Llangattock for "Intro to Cave" with Martyn Farr.

Anyone fancy a dip?

[ian.smyth]

Nice report Lee

Will need to pull my finger out and get a trip down! Do you recall what temperature the water was? If I recall, Martin said it got a bit nippy.

cheers

Ian

[diving_moose]

I think it was about 5-7 degrees, no worries with hood and drysuit etc