Trip Report - Bridlington 2006

It was only moments before departure when 'team captain' Rory Johnson examined the skies on a stormy Friday afternoon and decided that perhaps camping wasn't such a good idea after all. Nevertheless, fearless Captain Johnson led Team Brid on their maiden voyage up the east coast for the club's first ever trip to the sea side resort of Bridlington. Setting off at 1830h, we arrived at the youth hostel in Beverley and settled in briefly before heading into town.

After some fish and chips, we found a nice pub with incredibly cheap drinks and sat outside excited about the weekend as we reminisced about the promises our Leader had made prior to the trip. "Ahh", he had said. "On my trip we're all going to have a good lie-in and a nice leisurely breakfast before we wander down to the boat". At this point, Rory interrupted to inform us that we would actually be waking up at half five and if we were lucky, taking an apple in the van to eat on the way. He then swiftly vanished mumbling something about tides, and talk of a mutiny began.

Saturday

The following day began well, fears of rain were never realised and everyone was up on time; whether this was due to pure dedication to the cause, or simply because people hadn't had enough time to fall asleep remains unclear. Team Brid were assembled at 0600h sharp, except for Beast and Ben K who were in the kitchen grappling over the Kellogs variety packs.

We met arrrrhh the skipper arrrhhh and loaded the kit on with his crane. 'Providence', a 39' catamaran was very spacious and was even able to fit the amount of clips and cable ties Rory had brought. After a couple of hours to relax (or if you're Lou "concentrate on the horizon") we arrived at the first dive site.

UC-39 is a Type UC II coastal minelayer submarine sunk in World War One. There was plenty of life including numerous ling, and a small swim-through. It lies in 28.0m of water if you believe 'first mate' Si and 'cabin boy' Tuppers who each surfaced with suspicious mud coverage down one side. On returning to the shore, concerns were raised that some buddy pairs had chosen to ascend the shot line and not on a DSMB. These fears were quashed however once it became apparent that this was out of convenience rather than any embarrassment or shame regarding putting the blobby up.

This left us with the afternoon to enjoy scenic Bridlington along with many Northern folk who actually choose to go there as part of their summer holidays. We descended en masse to the fair where everyone enjoyed the dodgems and Ben 'Lone-Ranger' Kieno bravely rode solo down the terrifying Jungle Mountain log flume... sacrificing his mobile phone in the process. Whilst Ben contacted Vodafone, the rest of the team enjoyed a few pints in the sun and then headed home for a kip.

Dinner that evening was ambitious and tasty in equal measure as we donned the sombreros and downed the coronas over a feast of enchiladas courtesy of the "Three Amigos" (Si, Ben, Nathan) and Old El Paso. Then, after a spot of croquet, we went out to see what Beverley had to offer on a Saturday night.

Chopper led us to one bar citing the police van parked outside as his reason. Unfortunately, the music wasn't quite as '1993' as he had expected and so we left disappointed - except for Martin and Nathan who were enjoying some attention from a hen party.

Sunday

Sunday presented a well deserved lie-in as we arrived at the boat at 0730h. Our next dive was 'Cadmus', a ship sunk at the end of World War One with a cargo of empty shell cases. Our final dive of the weekend was 'Dolphin' , a nineteenth-century steam trawler. With Team Reprobate separated amidst safety concerns (unfounded), Ben K won the prize for Diver of the Weekend: Jo insisted on a special nomination, after Ben helped her re-adjust her mask with his pony cylinder and a passing crab. The afternoon came and after some ice-creams and doughnuts Team Brid reluctantly headed back to Leeds.

It had been an oustandingly well-organised, yet mellow and friendly weekend of diving and Bridlington certainly received top marks. In recognition of this, Simon Cole generously volunteered to carry on the tradition of the "Rory Johnson Memorial Bridlington Aaaaarhhhh! LUUSAC Dive Expedition", by running a similar trip next summer. Well done Simon!