SKIN DIVERS TO INSPECT WRECK OF HOLMBANK

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30278, 2 November 1963, Page 9

SKIN DIVERS TO INSPECT WRECK OF HOLMBANK

VINE years ago 10 skin diving enthusiasts held a meeting in the Medbury School and agreed to form the Canterbury Underwater Club. Since that time, the club has increased its membership to more than 100 and, apart from its extensive sporting activities, has provided a unique service to the public in the way of carrying out underwater inspections of hydro-electric equipment, and in life saving and demonstrations. Within the next two weeks, members are planning to make an underwater Inspection of the £150,000 515-ton coaster. Holmbank, which sank off Banks Peninsuia, 200 yards off-shore from Robin Hood Bay, after breaking its back on a rock. The coaster, which had 400 tons of general cargo on board, is believed to be lying in about 40ft of water. This will be the first dive bn a wreck organised by the club. Although an inspection will be made, nothing will be touched or taken, according to the club's publicity officer (Mr R. Bicknell). Under the salvage laws everything was the property of the underwriters and there was a severe penalty for •‘looting.” he said. Two very successful overseas trips have been made b T club members, one to the Hermit Island in 1959 and one to New Caledonia and the New Hebrides in 1960. Both were regarded as hunting, filming and scientific expeditions. In the past the club has provided the University at Canterbury with specimens of under-water life.

One of the club’s first major activities after being formed was the staging of an ice dive at Lake Ida in 1958. This was the first time in New Zealand that skin divers had ventured beneath ice. A valuable demonstration on how to get out of the water after falling through the ice was also given. In 1959 a club member, K. Tarlton, established a New Zealand free dive (without an aqualung) record of 80ft. almost doubling ’ s previous record set 1957. At last year's New Zealand skin diving championships, B. Ayres gained another national record for the club when he landed a 235.51 b sting ray after a battle lasting an hour and a half. It is believed to be the largest sting ray ever caught by a skin diver. This year the club has been very active. In August six members, equipped with rubber suits and aqualungs, plunged 100 ft to the bottom of Lake Coleridge testing newly -developed underwater life-saving vests and during Labour week-end organised the South Island underwater convention at Kaikoura. For the newcomer, skin diving need not be expensive All that is needed before joining the club is a pair of flippers, a mask, a snorkel and a weight-belt—-total value at about £5. Every Saturday morning there i# training at the Somerfleld baths. Members pay only for the air used in the aqualungs and it costs 2s 8d for a fun five-week course.

When they become familiar with the lungs, members can progress to a rubber suit (cost from £l5 to £5O) and purchase their own aqualung (cost £4O). Most of the club’s sport consists of spear fishing and crayfish collecting. Popular venues include Taylor’s Mistake, Akaroa Harbour and Kaikoura. Skin divers in New Zealand have never been troubled by sharks and they are mostly wen protected from the cold by their rubber suits. However. thcv do have a problem w.th dirty water in South Island waters.