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Scuba-Diving, Egypt (February 2007)

During February half-term 26 students accompanied Ma’am Bowen, Mr Carmichael and Melv Elford on the SCUBA diving trip to Hamata in Egypt. It all began at 4am on a wet, cold Friday morning. But even the weather and the ridiculously early start couldn’t crush our hopes of sea and sunshine. However, the 3 hour coach journey, 3 hour check in, 5 hour flight and 6 hour bus ride just about did it. We arrived at Zarbargad Diver Resort in the early hours of Saturday morning, and with an early start the next day, and a lot to learn, we were soon asleep. All memories of the previous day’s eventful journey, during which the majority of us may well have unknowingly agreed to be traded for camels, were forgotten when the sight of sunshine and the beach on our door step woke us up the next day.

From then on the group was split in two, those who had their Open Water qualification got straight back into it with a dive off the pier that morning, while the rest of us got to work in the pool, learning to use our equipment (once we’d managed to put it all on). After two days of basic skills and lots of theory we were also ready for the open sea.

From then on we were out on the boat by 8:30 each morning, doing two dives a day. After a little more practise of the skills we’d learnt, we got down to some real diving. By the end of the week we’d all completed 8 dives, including two separate wreck dives which were particularly spectacular. We saw everything from blue-spotted rays to moray eels, and were even lucky enough to find some dolphins.

The advanced group also got the opportunity to do a night dive, so at around 7pm one evening, armed with only their torches, they descended into the scarily dark waters. And it was definitely worth taking the plunge, a 1.6m barracuda and a grouper that was at least 3 feet wide were just a few of the creatures they spotted.

As the week progressed, everyone became more confident in the water and learn the little tricks like how to avoid jellyfish and how to keep yourself warm in your wetsuit. On the Thursday afternoon, the beginners sat their theory test, and although it was trickier than many of us expected, everyone passed and was able to complete our last dive as qualified divers. Ma’am Bowen and Melvin were on hand to capture the moments on film, and Mr C was, as ever, providing entertainment both under and above the water.

The final evening was spent celebrating a brilliant week and Matt Teasdale’s 18th birthday, either haggling with Raymond at the shop, sitting out enjoying the setting sun or enjoying some Egyptian hospitality at the bar by the pool. None of us really wanted to return to College, particularly with another long journey ahead of us and we all agreed that it had been a great trip.

Ellie Robinson, Trenchard 06E

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