A plucky pensioner took the plunge and went DIVING to celebrate turning 80.
Former Royal Marine Ted Tandy dived to depths of 18m, proving age is only a number.
He hasn’t dived for over 50 years but impressed instructors by being submerged for 35 minutes.
Ted, of Morecambe, Lancs., said: “I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was great visibility, swimming down there with the fish.
“I did a test dive last year so I thought I would qualify again and do the open water course.
“I can recommend it to anyone who has an interest. Have a test dive first to see if you like it.
“Then you can go away on your holidays and dive in exotic places.”
Ted hadn’t dived for 50 years before the unlikely birthday gift to himself but as he hit the milestone birthday, he wanted to relive his youth in the Royal Marines.
He first qualified as a diver in 1956 but stopped when he left the Marines in 1965.
He said: “I dived with one for the first time in 1958 in Malta at the Royal Naval Diving School.
“The aqualung was just coming in then.
“I was excited to get back in the water and they are very particular about safety and look after you very well. Their instructors are first class.”
Adam Hanlon, a diving instructor who runs the Capernwray centre in Carnforth, Lancs., said Ted was a fantastic pupil
“He was great,” said Adam. “He was finding taking his mask off hard but he had a big smile on his face which was great to see. Nothing phased him.”
Ted later continued his birthday celebrations at the Royal Naval Association’s Commodore Club surrounded by friends and family.
By Rachel McDermott
