THE OWNERS of a quarry north of Porthmadog are throwing their support behind a project to educate people over the dangers of summer swimming.

Between 1994 and 2004, 21 divers lost their lives in the Dorothea quarry near Talysarn.

Dorothea Pumped Hydro Limited are backing a campaign to stop members of the public from risking their lives in the quarry.

North Wales Police recently said: “We are warning children and young people to stay away from water-filled quarries and to be mindful of cold temperatures in lakes and rivers.”

Nigel Spiers, DPHL estate manager said: “As the landowners, we work with Gwynedd Council, North Wales Police, and local communities to ensure everyone can safely enjoy the Dorothea.

I’m an experienced diver and know the potential danger in ‘Dotty’ – for both divers and ‘tombstoners’ – and so I’m happy to come to local schools, parent associations or community groups to talk about ‘water awareness’, and keeping safe this summer.

Our local warden, Matthew Williams is increasingly having to deal with groups of young people, some as young as 10 years old, who refuse to stop jumping into Dotty. We obviously need to work with local parents and schools to address these issues.”

HM Coastguard officers have recently given safety talks to local area schools, specifically addressing ‘tombstoning dangers’, to help make children more aware of potential hazards.

Mark Craddock, senior coastal officer Area 14, said: “Jumping in to water from height has its own dangers. From certain heights, if you land wrongly, it will be like hitting concrete, often resulting in back injuries. Every year HM Coastguard receives calls for young people who have sustained injury in this way. These can sometimes be life-changing injuries!

“Don’t succumb to peer pressure from your friends to climb higher and higher. Pools and quarries are often littered with old discarded machinery, which have sharp edges and surfaces to get snagged on or injured. Most pools are dark, and it is difficult for you to judge the depth that you are diving in to.”

North Wales Police Supt Dave Jolly said: “Although it can be very tempting to jump into a pool or lake to cool down on a hot day, or to swim in the water at disused quarries, the water depths are huge – up to 60 metres – and it can be very difficult to get out due to the steep faces.

“If you are thinking about going swimming in such places please think again, consider the dangers and don’t trespass.

“We are also urging parents to educate their children about the dangers of trespassing and to avoid swimming in any pools or lakes and to also be aware of where their children are and what they are doing this summer.”

Contact Nigel to arrange ‘water awareness’ visits to your school or community: [email protected]