A CHANCE to explore the underwater environment around Portland is being offered for free – and participants do not even need to get wet.

A free photography exhibition entitled Breaking the Surface – Above and Below the Waterline is being launched at Osprey Leisure Centre in Castletown next month.

From Wednesday, February 22 until March 20, residents and visitors will be able to see the results of snap-happy snorkelers and divers who participated in sessions which were provided funding by the National Lottery Awards For All grant.

The photographs were taken between July and late September last year in the waters off Chesil Beach and in Portland Harbour behind Portland Castle after the funding enabled free snorkelling lessons.

The project was conceived by the not-for-profit diving school C-Waves Diving.

Rob Hughes founder of C-Waves said: “I was overwhelmed by the number of local people of all ages who wanted to try snorkelling.

“The age range of those taking part went from seven to a pensioner aged 67.

“Most had never had the opportunity to see our beautiful local undersea world and where really enthralled with their experience.

“We are all very grateful to Aw-ards For All for enabling this project to happen.” He added: “This exhibition hopes to give both the local people and wider community the chance to see some of the fun and enjoyment that was had by everyone taking part.

“We’re putting up photos of what the kids saw.

“We hope to open up people’s eyes to the amazing marine life that can be found in the sea surrounding Portland throughout the year.

“The sustainability of our marine life is most important globally, as well as to the local area, for all our futures.”

Volunteer scuba divers taught those taking part how to snorkel and dive under the surface using the new wetsuits and snorkelling equipment that was bought from local companies with the lottery funding.

A number of enthusiastic snorkelers returned each week through the summer and well into the autumn. The photographic exhibition of their experiences is free and open to all during normal opening hours at Osprey Leisure Centre.

This year, C-Waves has started a snorkelling club, using the grant-funded equipment, which meets on a Tuesday evening at Osprey Pool.

The group aims to be back on the beach later this year, ‘as soon as the water warms up’.

For more about the exhibition or snorkelling club, call Rob on 07973 209034.