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An image of seagrass taken underwater with logos for Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Seasearch and National Lottery Heritage Fund with text reading Tor to Shore St Austell Bay Seagrass and Kelp Snorkel Monitoring Training

Tor to Shore Seagrass & Kelp Monitoring Training (Snorkel)

Location:
Porthpean Sailing Club, Porthpean Beach Rd, Saint Austell PL26 6AX
Book
Join us for this Seagrass and Kelp Snorkel Monitoring training course in St Austell Bay as part of the Tor to Shore project.

Event details

Meeting point

Porthpean Sailing Club, practical session location TBC (weather dependant, but in St Austell Bay, likely Porthpean or Polkerris)

Date

Time
10:00am - 5:00pm
A static map of Tor to Shore Seagrass & Kelp Monitoring Training (Snorkel)

About the event

This training focusses on using snorkelling and photography to survey and map seagrass and kelp habitats. 

Important information: You must be an existing Seasearch Observer to take part in this training. The 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 

  • Location: Porthpean Sailing Club
  • Time: 10:00am Finish: Approximately 5:00pm
  • Parking: Free parking on site opposite Porthpean Sailing Club, not the paid Porthpean Beach Car Park 

Afternoon practical session (approx. 2pm): 

Location TBC but likely Porthpean. After lunch, we will run a practice session to go through the techniques covered in the theory session. We will be in the water for up to 60 minutes but additional time is needed for briefing, kitting up, and debriefs. Please arrive promptly at 10:00am as there is lots to get through! Please bring your own snorkelling equipment (thick wetsuit, neoprene hood, boots, and gloves, as well as a snorkel, mask and fins). 

Who Is Leading the Day? The session will be led by Oscar Miller and other Cornwall Wildlife Trust staff and existing volunteers of the programme. 

Who Is This Event For? Existing Seasearch Observers or Surveyors with ample experience snorkelling

Booking

Price

Free for residents in the St Austell Area and Your Shore Network group members (email Oscar.miller@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk to receive the discount code) £10 for trained Seasearchers not part of a Your Shore Network group and outside of the St Austell Area

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.

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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
  • 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