Sporting dive venues

Stu · Jan 3, 2007

As someone with absolutely no knowledge of cave diving whatsoever...

if there is such a thing as an easy "sport" cave dive; something along the lines of a classic P8 or Giant's trip (Derbyshire) or a Long Churn's or Sell Gill (Yorks - sorry for being so geographically parochial); something that is a pretty standard, easy (relative I know), bimble...

what dive venues would be included?

Just interested.

peterdevlin · Jan 4, 2007

stu said:
As someone with absolutely no knowledge of cave diving whatsoever...

if there is such a thing as an easy "sport" cave dive; something along the lines of a classic P8 or Giant's trip (Derbyshire) or a Long Churn's or Sell Gill (Yorks - sorry for being so geographically parochial); something that is a pretty standard, easy (relative I know), bimble...

what dive venues would be included?

Just interested.

In Wales Little Neath River Cave and the OFD sumps spring to mind. In the Dales, I have been meaning for some time to do the Kingsdale Master Cave to the Rowten sump and Frakes Passage.

Ciao,
Peter

AndyF · Jan 4, 2007

I think some people use Silica Mines in s.Wales, or Holme Bank Chert mine in the peak - dont quote me though!

What about the Rowten sumps in Kingsdale, discussed on another thread...

Pitlamp · Jan 4, 2007

If you want to "sport" cave dive, best go to Majorca, or Dordogne/Lot, or Florida.

If such a practice were to develop out of control in the UK there is the very real risk of losing access to many of our most interesting sites as farmers will definitely not appreciate the increased activity. Keeping a very low profile is important!

mrodoc · Jan 4, 2007

There are sites that are relatively straightforward in the UK but I would suggest you went in the company of a trained cave diver and had some diving and caving experience. I have given a bottle and valve to a non diving caver to pass a short free divable sump and watch him nearly drown himself! So, after a bit of thought although I know sites I have taken open water divers to I wouldn't advertise them on the internet.

Hughie · Jan 4, 2007

Pitlamp said:
If such a practice were to develop out of control in the UK there is the very real risk of losing access to many of our most interesting sites as farmers will definitely not appreciate the increased activity. Keeping a very low profile is important!

I'm not so sure. The potential revenue could be interesting (from a landowners point of view).

JB · Jan 4, 2007

mrodoc said:
I wouldn't advertise them on the internet.

Agreed. Stu - did you get my text yesterday? Give us a bell mate.

peterdevlin · Jan 4, 2007

mrodoc said:
I would suggest you went in the company of a trained cave diver and had some diving and caving experience.

I agree 100%. Anybody considering doing any cave diving should get training of some kind or other before embarking.

Stu · Jan 4, 2007

Thanks, I think! :-\

What I meant by "sporting" may have been misunderstood/misinterpreted. I mean is there an equivalent of a Sunday morning quick trip of an established route where there is no intention of pushing/exploring/all day epics?

Didn't realise it would be so contentious!!!

Jules... you have a PM!

MSD · Jan 4, 2007

There is no such thing as a "Sunday morning quick trip" in cave diving. Every cave dive is a serious business. Several people have died cave diving in the UK doing relatively straight forward dives:

Derek Crossland near the entrance of Hurtle Pot
Mark Wodhouse in the loop of Keld Head
Martin McMahon in Joint Hole
Keith Potter on the normal route in Wookey Hole
Trevor Kemp in Brikwith
etc. etc.

The emphasis in the sentence above on relatively is not an accident.

Mark

Stu · Jan 5, 2007

At the risk of digging myself a bigger hole, I wasn't in anyway shape or form suggesting there was a "Sunday etc" dive that could be done with no risk involved. I did start my OT with the proviso that if there were such a thing what would be included? One or two people have suggested that there may be but don't wish to disclose info. Some have said that no such thing exists. Job done. Gob shut. Say no more nudge nudge wink wink.

The Badger · Jan 5, 2007

stu said:
...is there is such a thing as an easy "sport" cave dive....something that is a pretty standard, easy (relative I know).

Stu the quick answer is yes. Sumps come in all shapes and sizes much like any dry passage. Some sumps are roomy and short and it could be that these may be considered 'easier' as they may perhaps be free divable and therefore seen as having less risk associated with them. Having said that John and Pete are both right that its not an environment in which to go untrained as it can be an unforgiving 'play ground'.

If you are an open water diver perhaps a Cavern Course might be worth investigating.....

Pitlamp · Jan 5, 2007

MSD is absolutely right. It can all go so horribly wrong so quickly and unless you have the skills, equipment and optimum mental framework to deal with this you might not come back. Cave diving is a thoroughly absorbing and worthwhile activity but we have had to deal with some very bad news in the last few years - so TAKE CARE.

Stu · Jan 5, 2007

stu said:
As someone with absolutely no knowledge of cave diving whatsoever...

Just interested.

I AM NOT CAVE DIVING - I AM NOT CAVE DIVING

All presumptions can stop now and goodnight, but thanks for your concern!

WHO WON THE 5 X DMM PHANTOM SCREWGATE KARABINERS??

A fantastic response with some excellent entries, but who won??

Descent 310 is out now.

....so prepare to see some of the best writing and photography from the caving world

Sporting dive venues

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