Into the Blue

UNDERWATER explorers from Blue Coat School take a look around the wonderfully clear seas of Cyprus during their diving trip to the popular resort of Paphos

LUCKY pupils enjoyed a school trip with a difference when they explored the stunning underwater scenery of Cyprus.

The group of five teenagers from Blue Coat School took part in a seven-day scuba diving holiday in Paphos, the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite.

They were accompanied by five teachers, including keen diver Simon Read, who co-ordinates the school’s outdoor activities.

The trip included a night dive and a specialist nitrox course, which allows divers to spend less time on the surface.

Simon said: “It was fantastic. This was their first sea dive and the water was absolutely brilliant, as was the dive school.”

A former Navy man, Simon’s love of the water stems from spending a lot of time on at the beach while growing up in Hong Kong and Cyprus. He wanted to pass that on to pupils, who were keen to know more about his diving. He started the school’s scuba diving club eight years ago — one of only a handful in the country.

Since then, more than 130 pupils and staff have completed their open water qualification, going on to dive everywhere from Kenya to the Caribbean. They do a mixture of classroom-based theory and practical sessions at Breeze Hill pool.

They also visit the Capernwray Diving Centre near Carnforth to practice their skills in a flooded quarry.

But Simon explained that diving in the sea was a new experience for the current crop.

“You have got waves and surge, it is completely different to being in a quarry or a pool. It’s like being in space in a way,” he said.

“The experience of going into the sea in Cyprus will set them up so they can go into the sea elsewhere and learn. It’s all about learning how to dive in different environments.”

Simon believes that diving is character-building and a chance for pupils who don’t like traditional activities such as football or netball to enjoy sport.

The trip to Cyprus also included visits to the world heritage sites at Paphos and Kurium.

Simon, who hopes to run another trip in the future, paid tribute to head teacher Julie Hollis, adding: “We need to give pupils the opportunity to experience these things. Mrs Hollis is fantastic in her support.”