River dives can turn nasty. Strong under and over currents can make life tough. NEVER dive if the river is suffering from flood conditions. Always have shore cover in case you are swept away and maybe you will want to consider a rope and tender linked to you. Strong unexpected currents in unexpected places can strike you - be aware and use evasive maneuvers to counter-act water flow directions.

What are the counter-act measures Paul? If you have to ask that question you should stay out of the rivers. Sustained finning at full power are usually the norm during river dives. Check your thrust by thrashing it out in your pool with fins on and hold full power for FIVE minutes. Remember your training with arms above water for 30 seconds while thrashing your legs to keep the elbows above the water?? - here's where that test will challenge you even more.

From the M6 come off at J44. The A7 Longtown signed road is your exit route off this motorway interchange. Longtown will be reached in a few minutes and just 7 miles away, which takes you out of England and into Scotland. Drive through the town and at the far end of this small town you'll see the bridge but stop and park up before reaching it.

Parking is available on the left side of the road. Road works were in progress when we came here in March 2004. The important point here is that they were digging up the parking bays on the left although we had no trouble parking. This is the only parking available for this site. Nothing exists on the other side of the river.

Having parked as close to the bridge as possible, you will find the entry point is across on the right side of this busy road. A steep concrete stairway takes you down to the river. Under the bridge is where you want to be.

The other side of the bridge is the deep side. I'm not sure which is the better to drop into deep water here - you are either bumming it until you drop in a deep hole or grovel on your belly until your arms drop down and you cantilever over.

The bottom is of stone and boulders but has a base of hard sandstone which you'll come across as you descend. It also has layering and deep crevices. What makes this very interesting is that this is a tidal river so you hopefully will spot the odd flounder on the bottom here. (they are waiting for the sea to come back in - I think?!)

What is the depth of this dive? I've kept the best till last here - 3 to 4 metres!! - but then how many chances do you get to dive a tidal river with flounders?

Not to be dived when flood conditions prevail.
The sea mucks this river up so not to be dived when the tide is in.
Watch for barbed wire and other rubbish because a short time ago this became a dumping ground for scaffolding and if my memory has got this right a teenager died because of it. However, all the scaffolding has been removed by divers since then.

From the M6 come off at J44. The A7 Longtown signed road is your exit route off this motorway interchange. Longtown will be reached in a few minutes. Drive through the town and at the far end of this small town you'll go over a bridge as described above.

If coming down from the Langholm side you will pick up the A7 heading south. Stay on the A7 until you see the sign for Canonbie B7201 or if you miss it take the Canonbie B6357. All these roads take you through Canonbie. Pick up the B6357 for Rowanburn / Newcastleton.

Having passed Rowanburn (visitors take time coming through here because it has some interesting (strange) "decorations" in this village that actually won it an award. Watch for the B6318 Penton sign and you will soon be here.

Parking is available on the right side of the road right next to the bridge. There is room here for about five cars although we had a burnt out shell of one, alloys still attached, sitting in the middle of the car park.

Across the road you will see a small gate which you will go through but watch when crossing the wooden board walk which goes over a small ditch. It was a bit creaky when we went over.

The bottom is of hard sandstone with what could be limestone plus boulders and sand. For anyone who has dived the river Lund's Devil's Bridge at Kirby Lonsdale this is the near equivalent. She's not as large but it's nice and quiet here and has a depth of 5 to 6 metres dependant upon rain fall.

Expect to see the odd big Salmon around May.

Not to be dived when flood conditions prevail. Try to ensure that no rain has fallen for three days before diving due to peaty water and a current that may prove too strong. You don't want to hit the rapids on the other end of this dive.

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