New event to celebrate all-ability snorkelling

A new programme designed to make snorkelling more accessible to people with disabilities will be launched at a special event in Moray next month.

The Snorkelling for All Celebration, led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), will be running on 27 and 28 June at Hopeman East Beach. A range of free activities will be on offer including guided and self-led snorkel sessions, seashore safaris, and ocean songs and storytelling.

Activities on Saturday 27 June will be focused on mobility support, with adaptive equipment including beach wheelchairs and slings available for hire. On Sunday 28 June, activities will focus on sensory support, with British Sign Language interpreters and sighted guiding available. Participants will also be able to hire snorkelling equipment on both days for a small deposit that will be refunded after attending the event.

Elouise Dalziel, Marine Policy Inclusion Officer, Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “Snorkelling is an incredible way to experience the wonders of Scotland's seas, so we're thrilled to be working with our partners to make it more accessible to more people. The celebration will be a fantastic way to experience the many benefits of snorkelling in a fun, supportive environment and will be a great opportunity for experienced guides to learn some new skills.

“If you'd like to come along but aren't sure which activities would be best for you, get in touch and we'll be more than happy to help.”

The celebration marks the launch of a new Snorkelling for All training programme, which has been developed by the partners involved and aims to help Snorkel Guides build skills and confidence in leading inclusive snorkelling sessions.

Sophie Heptonstall, Head of Diving and Training, BSAC, said: “Snorkelling is often the first step in a lifelong connection with the underwater world, and it should be an activity that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy. At BSAC, we are passionate about making snorkelling as accessible and inclusive as possible, so we are delighted to have worked alongside the Scottish Wildlife Trust and a fantastic group of partner organisations to develop the Snorkelling for All programme.

“This collaboration brings together a huge range of expertise and lived experience to help Snorkel Guides build the confidence and skills needed to support people with different access requirements. We're incredibly excited to celebrate the launch and we hope the festival inspires many more people to discover the joy, wellbeing benefits and wonder of exploring Scotland's amazing marine environment.”

Snorkelling for All has been made possible by the Trust's Sea the Connection project, which is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Sea the Connection aims to reduce barriers to participation in marine decision-making by building ocean literacy within Scotland's communities.

The new course and celebration follow the completion of Scotland's Snorkel Trail Network last year, which highlights some of the best snorkelling sites in the country.

Elouise added: “Our mission is to help build ocean literacy so more people have the knowledge and confidence to speak up for Scotland's seas. Working with coastal communities, we've found that the best way to do this is to nurture relationships between people and the marine environment. Fortunately, the stunning wildlife found in our seas does a pretty good job of inspiring people once they experience it for themselves.”

The Trust and BSAC would like to thank the many partners involved in the Snorkelling for All Celebration and programme development: Able2Adventure, Burghead Subaqua Club, Culture For Climate Scotland, Friendly Access, Macduff Marine Aquarium, Moray Ocean Community, Saltwater Life, Sea of Senses and Scottish Sensory Centre.

For more information about the Snorkelling for All Celebration, including booking details, visit the online event page.

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