Day 16 – Apeks Factory

17 November

This morning we woke to ice on the caravan windows, a clear sign that winter had truly arrived.

Today was a very different kind of day for us. We had been invited to the Apeks factory in Blackburn for a tour and to meet the team behind some of the dive equipment we’ve been using throughout our journey. We’ve been extremely lucky to have The Great Scuba Drive sponsored by Head Watersports, Mares, SSI, Aqualung, and Apeks (all part of the Head Group), so it was a great opportunity to say thank you in person.

Throughout this trip, we’ve had incredible support from Andy Rose at SSI, who helped us connect with other divers and organisations across the UK, suggested dive locations, and arranged much of our kit. It was great to see him again at the factory and to share our experiences from the road.

The visit offered a fascinating look at a completely different side of diving. We watched up close the research, design, and care that goes into the equipment we rely on every time we dive. It really made us stop and appreciate just how much precision and testing lies behind each piece of kit.

We talked to the team about the BCDs we’ve been using and explained that we found them particularly helpful for photographers. The inflation system sits to the side and can be controlled by palm pressure, allowing your hands to remain completely free, a small detail that makes a huge difference underwater. Also the deflate button automatically opens the highest dump point, removing the fiddling and saving precious seconds when adjusting buoyancy, another big plus for anyone managing a camera setup and trying to take photographs of moving subjects.

Walking through the factory floor, we watched regulators being built and tested rigorously from start to finish. Every stage of the process reflected the same dedication to quality and safety that divers depend on. What struck us most was how passionate everyone was about their work from design engineers to the testing team; each person took real pride in what they were creating.

We also learned about the history of the Blackburn site and how Apeks works to source materials and expertise locally wherever possible. In our minds this aligned with one of the aims of The Great Scuba Drive, to encourage more divers to dive in UK waters and not only when they are on holiday in warm seas.

One of the highlights of the visit was seeing the new Mares Active Heat Vest. It uses innovative technology to keep your upper body warm under a drysuit without adding bulk. The material is thin enough not to affect buoyancy, and the temperature can be adjusted as needed. After weeks of diving in dropping temperatures, this definitely caught our attention. We both agreed that it would be perfect for keeping warm between dives as well as in the water. Even better, it’s priced as an affordable essential rather than a luxury, definitely one for our Christmas lists!

We left the factory with a much deeper appreciation for the engineering, craftsmanship, and passion that go into the equipment we sometimes take for granted. Seeing the people behind the products reminded us that every regulator, BCD, and hose that we use starts with someone’s expertise and care.

Today gave us a new perspective on diving, not through the water, but through the work that makes diving possible. It’s easy to focus on the adventure side of the sport and forget the precision and dedication behind the gear that keeps us safe. Meeting the Apeks team reminded us how closely the diving community is connected, from the people in the water to those designing the tools we depend on.

As we left the warm factory and stepped into the icy chill we couldn’t help but think of that heated vest….