News
Meet Our Club: Ocean Diver
Want to join a dive club? In this new series, we take a look at grassroots diving and find out what’s happening on the club scene in the UK and around the world…
What is the name of your club?
Ocean Diver
Where is your club based?
Purley and Caterham, South London, Surrey Borders
Club affiliations (i.e. BSAC, PADI, SAA, etc.)
The club is not affiliated to any agency although the sister dive school offers PADI courses.
Where and when do you meet?
We meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 8pm in the Jolly Farmers Pub in Purley. Our pool sessions are the first Saturday of each month in Caterham.
How do you respond to the challenge of recruiting new members?
The club and the school are intrinsically linked. We share the information about the dive club with any new diver who comes to the dive school. We are active on social media so potential members can see what we get up to, and that we’re an active club with a mix of divers. We have a loyal and committed group of members so they share our leaflets and spread the word through friends and diving buddies they meet abroad.
The biggest aspect of membership is retaining members. Divers want to dive so we offer a range of day trips and week trips so all experience levels can get involved. We share information on any kit that is going cheap to increase the accessibility for divers, and experienced divers buddy up with newer divers. We have a mix of activities at our club meetings such as visiting speakers (e.g. Dr Mark Downs, Paul “Duxy” Duxfield, Ian France) and workshops (e.g. dive scenarios, kit care which includes pulling old first stages apart) as well as time to just catch up on the diving we’ve done that month.
What facilities and resources does the club use/have?
We have the use of a room at the pub which is handy. We gather in the bar and then head upstairs for either a talk or a workshop. We have a standing booking at a local pool, and access to a stunning private pool for additional pool sessions. We have invested in kit for newer divers to use whilst they build their own kit up.
We have supportive instructors and experienced divers who are able to offer training and coaching and club members are generous in helping others get into the water.
What kind of diving do you do, and where?
Our main focus is UK Diving so we have around four weekend trips abroad. Last year we visited Plymouth, Chesil and the Farne Islands, with a monthly trip to an inland dive site and a few day trips such as Brighton and Eastbourne. In 2018 we’ve Weymouth, the Isle of Man and Porthkerris in the diary and we’ll supplement these with inland dive sites and south coast boat dives.
We have an annual Rescue Refresher which we offer to club members to keep their Rescue skills fresh. We also have an annual trip to the Dive Chamber to experience the effects of 50m. We arrange trips to dive related experiences such as the Ocean Film Festival. This is a great way of including non-diving partners as they come along too.
2018 will see the inaugural Zombie Apocalypse PADI Specialty which will be a day of mystery, fun and excitement!
Do you organise any club trips abroad, and if so, where?
We arrange one overseas trip a year. In 2016 the club visited the Red Sea and Nemo33 in Belgium; in 2017 it was Malta. In 2018 we are heading to Lanzarote to visit the underwater museum. Members often buddy up to dive overseas with each other. In the last couple of years this has included Spain, Iceland, the Netherlands, Truk Lagoon and Cyprus.
Does your club have any special interests such as conservation, special projects, etc?
Our main aim is to open up UK Diving to as many people as possible and share with them the superb opportunities there is right here on their doorstep. We have a very popular Youth section with nearly 20 youngsters regularly attending pool sessions, and some moving onto the Open Water course. We will build on this with more trips and activities that involve the younger divers such as mini club talks from visiting speakers prior to the main club talk, and a weekend trip adjusted for depth limits.
We now have three Youth Ocean Diver Ambassadors (nicknamed YODAs) who come along to pool sessions and mentor new children divers. Whilst they are not able to take any responsibility with courses, they are able to jointly plan mini dives, do buddy checks together and they have started to demonstrate skills alongside the instructor. This builds their confidence and their skill set and creates a great atmosphere in pool sessions. We supplement this with information on conservation and the marine life around the UK. We take them through a little bit of physics or physiology each month to link theory to practical in an accessible way, and to ignite their passion to learn more about diving and marine life in general.
We realised that there was a big drop off in female divers, and we were struggling to fill spaces on boats as people’s holiday was limited. As a result we have started “Flexi Trips” where we offer divers the opportunity to book their own accommodation so they can bring partners, children and dogs along, or where we offer the accommodation out to partners but then have fewer spots on the boat. Members have taken advantage of this on every trip we’ve arranged in the UK in 2017, and are doing so again in 2018. As this builds we will be able to buddy up on child/dog care and the whole family can get involved.
Our dive club members are varied in their own interests; photography and wrecks are the main two so we try to combine these when choosing dive sites. The James Eagen Layne is a perfect example of a site that keeps everyone happy!
Does your club have any claims to fame or any particularly interesting stories… or members?
Colin Pullen is a real, bona fide Zombie instructor!
What are the club’s plans for the future?
We want to continue what we’ve started: increase accessibility to UK Diving by offering different trips to get people’s fins in the water; give children the chance to get into the sea; and, dive as much as we can.
Where can people find out more about your club?
- www.oceandiver.co.uk
- https://www.facebook.com/OceanDiver.co.uk/
- https://twitter.com/OceanDiveruk
- https://www.instagram.com/oceandiver_uk/
- Call: 07711266476
You’re always to come down to the Jolly Farmers on the first Tuesday of each month from 8pm and meet us too!
Finally… if you could sum up your club in just one sentence, what would it be?
It’s all about the diving!
3rd AUGUST 2024 – 1 or 2 WEEK PROGRAMMES
Daily water programme with Snorkelling & Scuba Diving.
Beginners or qualified, something for all.
Leave the kids with the Splash Team for days of Excitement, Fun & Adventure!
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
There are various options for accommodation with options for 2, 3, 4 or 5 guests.
Eco Huts provide accommodation for families of up to 4. The best option to enhance the adventure and closest to camping with basic facilities. For August we will provide central air cooling for all the Eco Huts.
Deluxe Chalets are only suitable for 2 guests. Fully air conditioned rooms with private bathroom and other facilities.
Boutique Rooms are available for families of up to 5.
Individual bespoke rooms fully air conditioned with private bathroom and other facilities.
Eco Huts: £675 per adult / £425 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Deluxe Chalet: £830 per adult / £505 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Boutique Room: £925 per adult / £550 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
This is a truly unique opportunity to have a Family Desert Adventure totally away from it all! You will be based at the remote Roots Red Sea on the coast of the Egyptian Eastern Desert, 140km south of Hurghada city.
Red Sea Splash main focus is Snorkelling & Scuba Diving but that’s not all, we provide a rounded week of activities in support.
Pool& Field Games – Arts & Crafts
Marine Biology Workshops
Cultural Activities – Orienteering Adventures
Roots Red Sea have established strong links with the local communities of Hamerwain & El Quseir affording our guests to have a true taste of the local culture, SPLASH CAMP embraces this opportunity and bring in the local children to join in the fun with our adventure seekers.
During the day, families are welcome to take part in all activities together or the kids can be left with the SPLASH CAMP team while the parents enjoy the facilities or go diving themselves!
At the end of the day, its family time while the SPLASH CAMP team take a break. For those with the energy, there are family evening activities planned a few evenings.
Open Air Movie Night – Desert Star Gazing Walk & Talk
El Quseir Evening City Tour
The second week is very special, we head off on the Big Blue for a liveaboard safari around Fury Shoals.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
U-8 Splash Club
Sadly we can’t offer Scuba Diving to the Splash Club but we can have lots of fun Snorkelling & Free Diving!
Splash Club includes:
Certified Snorkel Course – Marine ID Games – Intro to Free Diving
Arts & Craft Sessions – Adventure trails – Cultural Playtime – Pool Games
U-12 Explorer Club
In addition to an exciting snorkelling and Free Diving Programme in the Splash Club we can take you under the water on SCUBA to a whole new world of fun and wonder. If you are under 10 your first breath under water will be as a Bubblemaker and continue with daily Seal Team Missions. From 10 we will complete a Discover Scuba Diving experience in the amazing Red Sea. Alternatively we offer a full junior certification programme to become an international qualified Scuba Diver.
U-16 Adventurer Club
For qualified Scuba Divers regardless of age it’s the Adventurer Club and exploration of the local reefs and marine life. There will be 2 dives every day with the Open Ocean marine field station team who will introduce you to Red Sea marine life and workshops on marine research. Alternatively there are opportunities to continue your scuba diving certifications with our instructional team.
Parents are welcome to join the club activities and join the courses.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Big Blue might seem like the new kid on the block, but the team behind the highly acclaimed liveaboard is far from that. They have been running Red Sea safaris since the late 1980’s and were in fact part of the early pioneers who ventured out to the unknown on vessels that in today’s world, really shouldn’t have left the harbour! It’s that experience and the years of operating the award-winning Roots Red Sea resort which truly set Big Blue apart from the crowd!
Large lounge area, spacious sun deck and terrace deck.
Airy restaurant with five tables with up to six chairs per table, serving a varied and delicious menu with special dietary requirements catered for.
The spacious cabins have side by side beds and a large walk in wet bathroom.
Ample dive deck for divers & snorkelers.
Safety is everyone’s priority, whether you are relaxing on board, swimming, snorkelling or diving.
On board Big Blue is fitted with smoke alarms, emergency lighting and a fire alarm system. The lower corridor has a full-size door fire exit at the bow and open stairs to the stern. There are evacuation plans in each room along with life jackets, glass breaker tool and a fire extinguisher.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Red Sea Splash at Fury Shoals is a very rare opportunity to get involved with marine biology expedition for children and adults. Open Ocean biologists are on board to provide fascinating and entertaining facts about the marine life you will see. The team will provide workshops on marine life identification and survey methods both of which, should you wish, you will have the chance to put into practice during your safari.
The week is open to snorkelers, scuba divers and non divers too!
Fury shoals is perfect for first time mariners as it offers plenty of protection from the weather.
We board at Port Ghaleb on Saturday evening and prepare to set sail early on Sunday morning.
Heading south, our first day will be diving the reefs of Abu Dabbab before sailing overnight to reach our ultimate destination the Fury Shoals.
Here we will spend four days swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving amazing reefs. This includes guaranteed DOLPHIN encounters at Sataya Reef! After the last dive we haul anchor and head back to Abu Dabbab for our final two dives before disembarking our boat BIG BLUE.
Camp Extension Cost*
Adult £650 per adult
Under 16 £350 per child
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
FURTHER INFORMATION – INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM
TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
If you’re passionate about the underwater world, listen up! We’ve got an incredible opportunity for you to experience the vibrant reefs and majestic marine life of Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia.
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Pure Dive Resort isn’t just another dive centre; it’s a team of experts dedicated to providing world-class scuba diving and freediving adventures around Nusa Penida, Lembongan, Ceningan, and even Bali.
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Whether you’re a seasoned diver or completely new to the sport, Pure Dive Resort has something for you:
For certified Divers: Discover stunning dive sites, encounter manta rays, seasonal mola-mola (sunfish), and a dazzling array of marine life.
For beginners: Embark on your scuba journey with beginner programs like Try Scuba and Basic Diver, Open Water and Advanced certifications.
Freedivers: Explore the depths on a single breath with guided freediving experiences and courses.
Exclusive Scubaverse Offer: Save on Your Next Adventure
As a valued Scubaverse follower, you get an exclusive 10% discount on any Dive & Stay or Learn & Stay package booked at Pure Dive Resort for 2024. Dive into the crystal-clear waters, explore breath-taking reefs, and create unforgettable memories in this diver’s paradise.
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info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Ready to make a splash?
See you in Nusa Penida!
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