Blanchelande pupils learn to scuba dive
PUPILS from Blanchelande College have been getting their wetsuits on to take part in a four-day scuba diving course.
The school’s activities week gave pupils the opportunity to choose outdoor classes in subjects such as kayaking, surfing and coasteering.
The mix of 10 boys and girls spent three days training before they could make their first open water dive, after which they would gain a scuba diving qualification.
Science teacher Dan Burgess said it was good to get pupils involved with scuba diving, which would make them more aware of Guernsey’s seas.
‘It’s what we call Project Aware. It’s to do with conservation, but the main thing is that they are getting a qualification from us, so they will be qualified scuba divers ready to dive up to a depth of 12 metres.
‘They have done absolutely brilliantly with all their skills. They are a great bunch of students.
‘Today is about testing these skills. They’ve done it before in the bathing pools, so now we are repeating those skills underwater at about eight metres.’
The students had the possibility of seeing seaweed, grasses, scallops, starfish and rock fish on their dive, something which pupil Peter Green, 12, was looking forward to.
‘I really want to see some fish,’ he said. ‘Some of the training has been difficult, but it’s been really fun. I am looking forward to getting into the water.
The children were taught their new skills by local company Donkey Divers.
Owner and master instructor Steve Bougourd said it was lovely to see so many young people showing an interest in scuba diving.
‘Some of them have said they want to continue and take the full course, which is fantastic,’ he said.
‘It’s great that we are part of a school’s activity week. Scuba diving teaches young people so many things, it really does – a sense of responsibility, it is an activity to keep fit.
‘All of them have said they’ve been sleeping well and that’s great for young people.
‘But the main thing I love about activities week is introducing young people to scuba diving, because they are the instructors of the future.
‘We have more young people than ever in the water with us, it’s a popular sport across the world now.
‘What a great thing to do as it expands their knowledge of fish, corals and the history of the wrecks.’
