Deep Cave Diving

These spectacular images are a testament to the cave-diving expertise and sheer fearlessness of diver Martyn Farr.


Martyn is the UK's premier cave diving instructor and photographer.

One of Martyn's diving companions, Robbie Schmittner, in a huge flooded cave in Mexico.

One of Martyn's diving companions, Robbie Schmittner, in a huge flooded cave in Mexico.

 

In an incredible new feat Martyn will join an international team next month for a jaw-dropping world record attempt - the longest ever cave penetration.


Martyn plans to record on camera the progress of a team made up of some world's most renowned cave divers as they attempt to delve further into the Pozo Azul cave, near Burgos, Spain, than anyone has ever been before.

Divers carry remote underwater flash guns to illuminate this image, taken in what is probably the world's biggest underwater tunnel, Weebubbie Cave beneath the remote Nullarbor Plain of western Australia.

Divers carry remote underwater flash guns to illuminate this image, taken in what is probably the world's biggest underwater tunnel, Weebubbie Cave beneath the remote Nullarbor Plain of western Australia.

 

Dicing with death every day, 59 year-old Martyn throws himself into some of the most extreme conditions on the planet and  plunges into uncharted icy cold water, underground, underwater and ALONE.


A death-defying career in the sport spanning nearly 40 years has taken him to every corner of the globe and seen him shattering record after record along the way.

Divers often use guide-lines to keep them on track in the murky depths. Getting lost can be fatal.

Divers often use guide-lines to keep them on track in the murky depths. Getting lost can be fatal.

 

Martyn began cave diving in 1971 and by 1981 had established a world record for underwater cave penetration in the Bahamas.


He is widely admired within the cave diving community  for his exploration in Wookey Hole - 1977 and 1982 - and the first traverse of Llangattock Mountain in Wales in 1986.

 Jenny Pinder swims through the underwater passages of the Grotta Giusti Cave in Tuscany, Italy. where geothermal activity heats the water to an amazing 35 degrees centigrade

Deep and dark doesn't always mean cold: Jenny Pinder swims through the underwater passages of the Grotta Giusti Cave in Tuscany, Italy. where geothermal activity heats the water to an amazing 35 degrees centigrade

 

Martyn has explored caves all over the world, in Iran, Mexico, Borneo, China, Japan, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Brazil, Australia and most recently Russia.

In another of Martyn's photos Helen Rider swims through the narrow confines of Taina Cave near Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

In another of Martyn's photos Helen Rider swims through the narrow confines of Taina Cave near Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

 

 

Edited from The Daily Mail, 10 August 2010




Posts: 896

Date Joined: 25/05/09

some people show no fear ,

Wed, 2010-08-11 02:11

some people show no fear , these pictures are incredible yet alone actually being there diving through these caves , definatly not my type of activity deep sea cave diving, heard to many disasterous stories :)

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grayzeee's picture

Posts: 2283

Date Joined: 09/07/09

thats ballsy. imagine your

Wed, 2010-08-11 06:14

thats ballsy.

imagine your torch batts dying.

def not for me

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If I spent half as long fishing , as I do reading this bloody forum , I'd be twice the fisherman I am. 

Berin's picture

Posts: 150

Date Joined: 15/07/10

Nullabor

Wed, 2010-08-11 06:57

Those pics are scary just to look at ! but very beautiful though.

I have seen the Cocklebiddy caves on the Nullabor, that is some deep dark freezing water. I would only get in there if pushed by someone much larger than me.

That guy and the people that do it have balls that CLANG !!!

7739ian's picture

Posts: 948

Date Joined: 25/06/08

I get

Wed, 2010-08-11 08:39

claustrophobia in a windowless room - and even though i worked underground at Windarra for 18 months i don't mind admitting i was scares s........ every time we drove down the decline. I think to do this underwater you HAVE to be a little loony.

ody's picture

Posts: 581

Date Joined: 30/12/06

  Hi Ya,   I'm with you. 

Fri, 2010-09-03 17:24

 

Hi Ya,

 

I'm with you.  I don't even like the idea of diving in the ocean or river.  Definately a 'head above water' person.

 

cheers.

 

Adam Gallash's picture

Posts: 15645

Date Joined: 29/11/05

yep

Wed, 2010-08-11 20:47

Definitely something I like looking at on a computer and would never consider doing myself, great photos.

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Faulkner Family's picture

Posts: 18032

Date Joined: 11/03/08

not my cup of tea but it

Wed, 2010-08-11 21:30

not my cup of tea but it would be an interesting past time , not knowing what is around the corner would make you want to go that bit further. great pics

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DazSamFishing's picture

Posts: 1518

Date Joined: 19/08/09

amazing what some people

Wed, 2010-08-11 21:41

amazing what some people acheive.