We really enjoyed being part of the organising group with Elouise as we got to work with some fantastic people and organisations to make sure the event was a big success and did what we set out to do - to help anyone and everyone get into the water!

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After months of planning and training the last weekend of June rolled round and we were ready for two days of snorkelling, sea storytelling and rockpooling! The first day was focussed on participants with physical disabilities and it was fantastic to learn from Gemma at Able To Adventure on how to best support the snorkellers as guides. 

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The second day was then focussed on snorkellers with sensory disabilities which brought a fantastic new layer to our own snorkelling experience whether it was taking off our gloves to be able to feel things better or just floating to relax and feel the sensation of the water around us. It was also brilliant to meet Phil and Morven from BBC Radio Scotland who interviewed us on our role in the event and you can listen to us on the Go Outdoors programme from Saturday 8th July. The programme gives a brilliant overview of the fun we had!

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On the Sunday we also really enjoyed the story telling led by Sandra in BSL but taught us how we can tell a story just by using our bodies so easily and a few of us managed to tell the story of Magnus the Walrus coming to visit Hopeman just with our bodies and facial expressions which as you can imagine caused much hilarity.

Both days were finished off wonderfully by Marie of Macduff Marine Aquarium and Lauren from Salt Water Life by taking us all rockpooling and introducing us to so many amazing creatures!

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We had an absolutely wonderful time and we want to thank everyone who made the weekend such a success including our friends at Burghead Sub Aqua club who provided a safety boat and shorecover. 

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We can’t wait to get out with more guided snorkels this summer and thanks to the Protected Areas Foundation we are able to purchase an O2 kit so please do follow our socials, eventbrite page or join our WhatsApp Community if you would like to join us.

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