Diving with kayaks in UK

[morgarrow]

I have yet to see any diver in the UK using a kayak (sit-on-top) for getting to offshore sites although I expect there are divers that do use them. I would be pleased to hear about the experiences of anyone in UK that uses a kayak for diving and which kayaks they would recommend. :06:

 

[Roughwaterjohn]

This site, http://www.kayakdiving.com/ isn't UK specific, but if you want to know about kayak diving, Mark Theobold is pretty well know in those circles, and discusses entry/exit techniques, equipment, kayak choices etc. I hope this helps.

John A.

 

[morgarrow]

Many thanks John. Yes I have seen that web site and it's pretty good. Thinking about why you or I haven't seen any/many 'kayak divers, I'm assuming this has something to do with the temperature of both water and air and sea conditions in and around the UK apart from the problems of kitting up and carrying gear on such a small platform. Also I suspect it's not promoted by training agencies because there might be more of a temptation to dive solo in more inaccessible sites. Again, possibly with the basic dive gear to organise, transport and carry the added hassle of having to add a kayak to the equation is a bit off-putting to divers. Anyway that's all speculation. Thanks again for your response.

 

[String]

Knowing nothing about kayak diving but surely the big currents, rough seas and tidal ranges would make towing something like that very hard work ?

Even holding an SMB on a reel is hard enough on the arms given the wind and surface currents are often taking it in a slightly different direction to you under water.