The first place I went snorkelling was around Crab Island, a cluster of rocks off the Gower coast in South Wales. The sea was freezing, my mask didn't fit and within seconds seaweed had blocked my snorkel and I was choking on the briny. I didn't even get to see any crabs, which was a shame because I had been looking forward to seeing some.

Admittedly, it was more Jack Prat than Jacques Cousteau, but even that inauspicious experience gave me a taste for the sub-marine experience.

Of course, living in the resolutely non-coastal wilds of downtown Tooting limits the opportunities to go and frolic with crustaceans. At least that's what I thought, until I learnt about Manta Divers.

Manta Divers is a sub-aqua club established in Wandsworth almost 25 years ago. Previously based in Putney, it has been meeting at Tooting Leisure Centre since 1986, providing training and diving opportunities for divers of every degree of experience and qualification.

For those who thought that the centre merely provided the grunt of the gym or the sweat of the sauna, catching sight in the changing rooms of swimmers kitted out in flippers and oxygen tanks may come as something of surprise.

Club treasurer Dr Caroline Brown says: "I took up diving when I was training, and even though I have changed jobs now, I'm totally hooked.

"There's something about being under the water that makes you more aware of experiencing things in three dimensions, more so than on land. Most people who try it get a real taste for it."

The club, which has almost 100 members, is a branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), the biggest diving club in the world and the governing body for the sport in the UK.

It provides training for the complete novice to progress as far as they wish, from club diver to sports diver, right through to advanced and first class standard.

However, despite their clear professionalism, there is very much a social perspective to their approach, and the enthusiasm of members is palpable.

Diving officer Grahame Pembleton says: "Anyone who is interested in diving is welcome to come and try out with us.

"It's possible for anyone to dive, but it takes a bit more to do it properly.

"We provide a nice, safe atmosphere, and we want to encourage people to come with us. We try to offer a varied diving programme."

From April to November the club organises diving trips almost every weekend, mostly on the Devon and Dorset coast.

However, every year they go much further afield, not only all over the UK, but also as far as the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Caribbean.

The club was also recently awarded a National Lottery grant, which it used to buy a fast RIB boat for diving, providing even more opportunities to get away.

The first time visitor to Manta Divers can expect to be thrown in at the deep end.

That is to say, they can get their first taste in the pool at Tooting, which in diving terms provides a safe and unthreatening environment in which to try on the equipment and get the feel.

As a guest of the club I turned up to have a go myself with little more than a towel, t-shirt, trunks and a nervous smile. All the equipment was provided, from flippers and masks to oxygen tanks, and I was treated with patience and proficiency as the rudiments of diving were outlined to me.

Guided into the water by a one-on-one trainer, within minutes I was experiencing the somewhat surreal experience for the first-timer at least of breathing below water, and without having to negotiate rogue algae blocking my air-flow.

Admittedly, there was a little anxiety below surface as I came to terms with my natural reflex of rising to surface, but that evaporated within seconds as I was guided around the pool.

Despite the fact I'm familiar with the rather vapid pool environment as I swim regularly at Tooting, the exhilaration of the experience was enveloping.

Sometimes doctor does know best. I think I could be hooked.

Grahame Pembleton added: "This club really does belong to its members, and what comes out of it comes from what they put it.

"We want to spread the word and we welcome new members all the time."

Fortunately, it's not just jammy journalists who can share the experience.

The club is holding a Try Dive event in two weeks, in which anyone can come along and find out more about the club by chatting to members, and, most importantly, get a chance to try the equipment in the pool. Believe me, it beats snorkelling. Even in Wales.

q Manta Divers' Try Dive event takes place on Wednesday, February 12, at 8.30 all newcomers are welcome to turn up. For further information visit www.mantadivers.org.uk

January 30, 2003 11:00