Diving for lovers
Presentation
By Marie - July 2019
During our summer holidays in Frontignan, we go for an initiation to scuba diving on the plateau of Aresquiers. The "Baptême duo" formula proposed by the diving centre is an excellent opportunity to get into the water!
Meeting at the club Plongée Passion on the port of Frontignan
On this Wednesday in July, we meet in the early afternoon at the diving centre located on the east bank of the port of Frontignan. We are welcomed by Pierre and Stéphanie who will be our instructors for this first scuba dive at a depth of 6 meters.
Although I was very enthusiastic about the idea of discovering the underwater world of the Mediterranean Sea, I must admit that I was a bit stressed. But the team of instructors quickly put me at ease and I listen carefully to the safety instructions.
We start by putting on the diving clothes provided by the club: neoprene suit, stabilizing waistcoat, mask, fins, tanks and diving regulator... Everything is there? Let's go for the adventure!
Departure by boat to the diving site
Once everyone is ready, we embark on a barge to reach the diving spot "Les Ancres" on the plateau of Les Aresquiers. The site is only five minutes by boat from the port of Frontignan.
Pierre explains that the Aresquiers are well known to divers in the region: they find a clearer water than anywhere else and a sometimes accentuated relief. Located off the Gardiole massif, it is probably the underwater extension of it.
It's time to drop anchor and get ready to dive. For this first dive, I will dive alone with Stéphanie while Mathieu will be accompanied by Pierre. But we will inevitably cross paths underwater during this exploration of the seabed!
Discovering the underwater riches of Les Aresquiers
Once in the water, the apprehension I had at the beginning disappears quite quickly. I remain concentrated on this new mouth breathing technique which after one or two minutes of practice becomes almost natural. I observe carefully the reassuring gestures of Stéphanie who accompanies me in this discovery of the underwater environment.
Here, the scenery is surprising: the gorgonians and anemones of the reef dance in the middle of octopuses and starfish. A school of sea bream passes right in front of us while a little further on, I see a red scorpion fish camouflaged on the rocks. Could it be Mathieu and Pierre who are signalling to us that everything is going well for them?
This feeling of weightlessness is really pleasant. I savour every moment spent in the heart of the underwater fauna and flora. Like a child, I discover a new playground where the imaginary meets the real world. But after twenty minutes of diving, it is time to go back to the surface.
We return to the barge which takes us quietly back to the marina in Frontignan. Both of us are delighted by this first experience and we already plan to come back to discover the Thau Lagoon and its famous seahorses!
Practical information :
- Plongée Passion
- Phone: +33 4 67 18 40 80
- Website: http://www.plongee-passion.com