West Norfolk

[simonm]

Aye up

I am a recently qualified open water diver ( PADI ) and have just come from Hols in southern spain, with fantastic diving.  I am having another holiday, this time in the UK in a few weeks time.

I am going to Hunstanton ( sunny hunny ) with my family for a couple of weeks and am trying to find any clubs who wouldn't mind me tagging along for a dive or two while I'm there.  I have tried to find such a club on't tinternet but so far have had little luck.  Does anyone know anybody in the Kings Lynne area or within spitting distance to it.  A far cry from the med but beggers can't be choosers.

Cheers all
Simon

[Ron Young]

Hi Simon

Try dropping a line to this guy, James Holt, he runs a charter boat out from that area and will probably help you out:
james@ndivecharters.fsnet.co.uk

Cheers Ron

[Steve S]

<font color='#000080'>Hi Simon,
most of the clubs in that area are BSAC, dont know of any PADI ones but there are a couple of very easy/good shore dives the Vera at cley next the sea and the Rossalee nr Sheringham.

I have dived with James he used to run out of Wells, put a search in on divernet and you will find a piece on Norfolk and contact details for the other charter boat that goes out from there Desert moon skipper &quot;chicken&quot; John Martin.

PM me if you want the directions for the shore dives.

Safe diving,
Steve.

[simonm]

Cheers peeps. &nbsp;Thanks for your help.
Simon

[Ron Young]

Hi Guys

James's father Stephen Holt is writing a book about Norfolk shipwrecks and it should be out quite soon.
http://www.ship-wrecks.co.uk/

Cheers Ron

[Paul Beal]

I don`t think there is much in the way of diving off Hunstanton as it is very sandy and quite shallow all the way to Linclonshire!. I know people do dive out of Brancaster, Burham and Wells. There are only 2 charter boats I know of, desert moon (John Martin) running out of Blakeney Harbour and Mayflower (James Holt) running out of Wells.

You could try North Norfolk divers (www.norfolkdiver.com) They are a BSAC branch, and do most of their diving from RIBs. If you have only done PADI open water, they will probably not be too helpful I have to say as I guess at this time of the year most of their diving is further off shore.

Failing that, there is a PADI dive centre in gorleston, diversion I think it is called, run by someone called Peter Haynes I think

As Steve has said above though, the Vera is a nice dive (max 10m on high water, and the beach is nice for the family. The roslie, I haven`t dived it, but I hear it is good, it is off Weybourne beach, not Sheringham though.

In case you are wondering how I know quite a lot about diving round this area, I was brought up in Blakeney before moving north when I started my PhD at Leeds uni!

Paul

[Steve S]

<font color='#000080'>Hi Paul,

the Rosalee is a good dive, when I posted originally I couldn't think of the name Weybourne hence nr Sheringham.

Simon, for the Vera just follow the signs for beach and park as far to the right of the bird spotters cafe as you can over the hill and at low tide you can see the connecting rod.

For the Rosalee turn right by the spar shop again sign posted beach go to the end over the hill and at low water you can see a jagged piece breaking the surface.

Beware of fishermen at both sites and make sure you dive them at slack water.

Safe diving,
Steve.

[simonm]

Cheers peeps

Thanks for all the info, its much appreciated. &nbsp;Lots there to keep me busy sorting for a while.

[kinetic]

BE CAREFUL...you've had some good advice above and I think the point was made that basic PADI may not be too welcome for some more difficult dives.

Many skippers won't even check your cards (they rely on you to be honest and not dive beyond your capabilities)...point being BSAC won't have you on a boat if there are any doubts but please don't rush into a dive you're not ready for. When I first qualified, and it was in cold and not warm water, i spent weeks (out of choice) in cold water before I went warm water diving....you've gone the other way round and I can only recommend caution.

Best regards and good diving.

G

[simonm]

Aye up

NO, I actually qualified in cold water, in fact bloody freezing. &nbsp;My first ow dives were at Stoney in Oct and the remaining dives in Nov at Capernwray! &nbsp;When I mentioned the med I was talking about Holls, not actual training. &nbsp;Thanks for the concern tho, its appreciated and taken note of.