Silfra
Author: Imants Jansons0 COMMENTS
If you have obtained your diving certificate in Latvian, it shouldn't be a problem to dive in cold waters as well. Iceland is a great diving destination due to its distinctive nature and diversity of its submarine world. A truly singular diving spot is Silfra Crack in Thingvellir National Park area. It's a place where tectonic plates of Eurasia and America slowly drift apart, forming a deep fissure. The movement explains earthquakes, activity of geysers and Iceland's peculiar nature.
The split offers a unique, science fiction-like diving experience into a chasm that separates Eurasia and America. Spread out both of your hands, and you can touch two continents - isn't it like in Jules Verne's novels? The water is very cold with no signs of aquatic life to speak of, yet the visibility is very good (20 - 25 m), and it features fantastic rock formations.
To reach the fissure, you have to use a so called scooter - a hand-held device with a propeller, turning it into an almost James Bond-style journey. It helps to save oxygen too, which then can be used to dive into Silfra Crack for 30 and more meters. An entirely surreal sight!
Lake Silfra Lagoon boasts a visibility of up to 100 meters - no warm seas can measure up to crystal clarity of its water.
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Shortly about scuba diving training:
Anyone can learn scuba diving, as no special physical preparedness is needed. There is nothing extreme about it, unless you venture to dive into caves or other risky underwater areas.
Several schools in Latvia offer scuba diving training and issue internationally recognized certifications. The most widespread is PADI training system, which allows diving anyplace in the world, wherever you see PADI sign.
The 1st level initial Open Waters Diver certification provides that you can dive to a maximum depth of 18m.
The 2nd level Advanced Open Waters Diver certification allows extending ones maximum depth to 40m. A total of 5 dives must be completed for this purpose - 2 core dives comprise a deep and underwater navigation. And then you can choose 3 adventure dives - dive into a current, identify fishes, dive with a scooter, etc.
There is a possibility to pass training and obtain a certification abroad too, at the same time getting the first glimpse of exotic underwater world there. Another option is to pass the first level in Latvia, and then continue elsewhere in the world - where visibility is better and water warmer.
To be able to dive in very cold water using dry suit, you have to complete a Dry Suit Specialty training course as well.
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