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A person snorkelling with logos for Your Shore and Seasearch

Tor to Shore Seasearch Observer Course (Snorkel)

Location:
Shortlanesend Village Hall, School Hill, Shortlanesend, Cornwall, TR$ 9DU
Book
Join us for a 2-day Seasearch Observer training course in St Austell Bay as part of the Tor to Shore project.

Event details

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Date

-
Time
9am - 5pm on Saturday, 10am - 3pm on Sunday
A static map of Tor to Shore Seasearch Observer Course (Snorkel)

About the event

This training focuses on using snorkelling to complete the Seasearch methodology, and though the practical session will be snorkelling, those wishing to use their Seasearch training when scuba diving are able to after the course. 

Important information: The Seasearch Observer method requires you to focus on additional things while snorkelling, therefore, it is essential that you are a comfortable and experienced snorkeller to complete the course for safety reasons. 

📍 Event Details 

Day 1 – Classroom theory session focussing on safety, identification, and filling out a Seasearch Observer form. 

  • Location: Porthpean Sailing Club Time: 9:30am Finish: Approximately 2:00pm
  • Parking: Free parking on site opposite Porthpean Sailing Club, not the paid Porthpean Beach Car Park
  • Please arrive promptly at 9:00am as there is lots to get through! 

Day 2 – Practical session - Putting what you’ve learnt into practice with up to 2 guided snorkels with Cornwall Wildlife Trust staff and other trainees. 

  • Meeting Point: TBC Weather dependent, likely Porthpean Beach or Polkerris Beach
  • Time: 10:00am Finish: Approximately 3:00pm
  • Parking: Free parking on site opposite Porthpean Sailing Club, not the paid Porthpean Beach Car Park
  • Please bring your own snorkelling equipment (thick wetsuit, neoprene hood, boots, and gloves, as well as a snorkel, mask and fins). We can help fill gaps in your equipment but have limited supply.
  • Please arrive promptly at 10:00am as we are working to the tide times, and there is paperwork to complete out before we go snorkelling!
  • After the training, you will need to complete 5 Qualification forms before being fully signed off as a Seasearch Observer (the snorkels in the practical session contributes to this). 

👥 Who Is Leading the Day?
The session will be led by experienced Seasearch Tutors and other Cornwall Wildlife Trust staff. 

🙌 Who Is This Event For?

Love or want to do more snorkelling? Want to improve your identification skills and contribute to a longstanding citizen science project? The Seasearch Observer course is for you.

Booking

Price

Free for residents in the St Austell Area (email Oscar.miller@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk with your post code to receive the discount code) £70 for attendees from the rest of Cornwal

Additional booking information

Suitable for children aged 16+ accompanied by a parent of guardian.

Beginners must be experienced snorkellers

Suitable for

Experts, Beginners

Know before you go

Dogs

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No dogs permitted

The extremely muddy conditions and terrain make it unsuitable for assistant dogs to be permitted for this activity. 

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Mobility

We are committed to making this volunteer day as inclusive and supportive as possible. However, it’s important to be aware of the physical nature of the environment so you can decide whether the activity feels right for you. 

The snorkelling takes place in shallow and sheltered beaches at low tide. Access to the water is over sand which is soft and uneven underfoot. Moving across it can require extra effort and balance, and participants should expect conditions that are physically demanding at times. 

We use standard snorkelling safety equipment and follow established procedures to make working on the mud as safe as possible. Full training and a safety briefing are provided before we begin. 

This activity may be challenging for: 

  • People with mobility impairments
  • Anyone who struggles with balance on uneven or unstable ground
  • Those with joint, back, or lower limb conditions
  • Anyone who finds walking on soft sand or mud physically difficult

If you have access needs or would like to discuss whether this activity is suitable for you, we warmly encourage you to get in touch in advance. We’re happy to talk through the activity, distances, and ways we may be able to support your participation. Which could be observing our work from the shore.

Toilets & Accessibility:

Public toilets are available on the beach. These are not step free access. 

Porthpean Sailing Club has toilets for the theory day. These are not step free access.

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Wheelchair access

No
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Hearing loop

No
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What to bring

  • Thick wetsuit, neoprene hood, boots, and gloves
  • Snorkel, mask and fins and a surface float if you have one
  • We can help fill gaps in your equipment but have limited supply.
  • Warm layers
  • Drinking water
  • Packed lunch
  • Sun protection (if forecast is bright)
  • ID guides if you have them, though we will bring some with us
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Parking information

Free parking on site opposite Porthpean Sailing Club, not the paid Porthpean Beach Car Park
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Bicycle parking

No official bicycle parking areas are available at Porthpean Beach.
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Facilities

Toilets
Cafe/refreshments
Accessible toilet
Disabled parking

Contact us

Oscar Miller
Contact number: 07436 796134
Contact email: oscar.miller@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk