WHEN it comes to planning my summer holidays, I never go much further than browsing a brochure or stocking up on the sun tan cream.

But there is a club which is about to hold a course so that you can make the most of your annual vacation - whether it's home or abroad. For Darwen Snorkelling Club is holding a six-week beginners course for all the family at Waves Water Fun Centre from February 28.

Naturally, for the sake of investigative journalism (or is it because I'm just a show off) I stripped down to my trunks to find out what lies beneath the surface.

Although I am a regular swimmer, my only previous experience of a snorkel was the big blue coat I used to wear to school on a cold, damp winter's morning - so it took some getting used to.

But the beauty of attending such a course, rather than a four-hour rush job on the water's edge on the Costa Del Sol, is that you do have time on your side. So if you're more the 'Man from C and A' rather than the 'Man from Atlantis' it doesn't matter because the team will work at your pace.

Such is the success of the course that senior instructor and chairman Ralf Ellis is positive that anyone who passes will be a confident and competent snorkeller at the end of the six weeks. And there is a certificate from the British Sub Aqua Club for every successful candidate.

The course begins in the classroom when new recruits are given a brief history about the club and a few ground rules are laid down. Then there is an introduction to the equipment and how it works and then into the pool.

While fun is the main ingredient to the course, safety is paramount and members are given a swimming test and shown life-saving techniques.

Waves also offers the perfect environment to learn the art of snorkelling as its wave machine can simulate open water conditions. The club provides all the equipment so all you need is your swimming costume and towel. The six-week course runs every Saturday between 8.30-9.30am from February 28 until April 4 and costs £25. For details contact Waves on 01254 51111.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.