DARE you explore the deep blue with a unique fish-eye view?
Llandudno sub-aqua club, a non-profit organisation run by volunteers, is offering £10 taster sessions to anyone interested in SCUBA at Llandudno sailing club on Sunday evenings.
There is really no other activity quite like SCUBA diving, as any thrill-seeker will know.
It doesn’t compare to rollercoasters, motorbiking, paragliding or surfing - because as fun and exhilarating as those things are, they don’t open up a new, alien environment.
SCUBA stands for “self contained underwater breathing apparatus”, which does what it says on the tin.
New divers start off in the warm, safe surroundings of the swimmimg pool, where they will learn to float effortlessly in a “suspended” state, breath using a regulator, learn buddy hand signals and make safety checks.
Once a diver is competent at a basic level, they can venture into the sea with a qualified instructor, and enjoy the underwater world.
Andy Richardson, chairman of the group, said: “I got into it through the Territorial Army, and I thought it was great. That’s the way most people get into it. They just have a go.
“We are a friendly, informal group and a lot of us are friends outside diving. We hold birthday parties in the club house, my daughter had her 18th there.”
Despite the club being run by volunteer enthusiasts, who dive “for the love of it”, there is no shortage of experienced members.
Andy said: “We are part of the SAA, and we have fully qualified instructors. We teach everything from rescue diving to boat handling. We’re trying to get more people involved, because if more come to the taster sessions, we may be able to extend them.”
SCUBA diving is not without its associated risks. While it is not athletically demanding, it is an extreme sport, and divers need to be quite intrepid and aware that they are taking part in an entirely unnatural activity.
But the rewards are worthwhile.
Once a diver is confident and qualified, SCUBA opens up a whole host of opportunities, including wreck diving, underwater photography, night diving, navigation, lake diving and underwater naturalism - which is a bit like bird spotting, only with fish.
Those interested in SCUBA can meet the Llandudno sub-aqua club at the Llandudno sailing club near Venue Cymru at 6.30 on Sunday for the next few weeks.
Annual membership for a qualified diver is £150 and includes membership of NWSAC, membership of the SAA (Sub-Aqua Association), joint membership of Llandudno Sailing Club and air fills from the club compressor.
For new members requiring all of the initial diver training the annual cost is £200.