News
Is club diving getting more popular?
BSAC has seen a recent flurry of new clubs coming on board, with a rise in BSAC clubs created by already qualified divers or clubs crossing over from other agencies.
Welcoming and delivering a great product for divers from all agencies is a key part of BSAC’s growth strategy and the influx of new clubs coming online is evidence that the support BSAC offers is a real draw.
An increasing number of clubs are being set up by groups of trained divers recognising the benefits of diving as a BSAC club.
Did you know…You don’t need to be BSAC trained to set up a BSAC club, and you don’t need to cross over your qualification. See www.bsac.com/switchtobsac
Setting up a BSAC club has never been easier
Dave Howson of recently formed North Wales Technical Divers (NWTD) said:
“NWTD initially pursued an unaffiliated club route as we weren’t BSAC trained. However, as it turned out BSAC was the perfect option – the support from head office has been great, we’ve grown to 71 members and we’ve saved a small fortune on insurance.”
With BSAC providing clubs and members with comprehensive liability insurance as part of the membership package, the ideal solution was found. Now with 71 members and rising, NWTD has proved to be one of BSAC’s fastest growing clubs so far this year.
“More and more divers are seeing the benefits of creating their own club and are coming to us for help. Ultimately BSAC is here to support all divers to enjoy the types of diving they want to do. From insurance and training to marketing support, being part of the BSAC club network is proving to be an attractive proposition.” – Debbie Powell, BSAC marketing manager
Debbie believes that the support offered by BSAC means that as well as more standard training and diving clubs, many divers are creating clubs that are geared to the specific type of diving they want to do. One such club is North Wales Technical Divers (NWTD), who initially struggled to find an affordable liability insurance package for their new tech diving-only club.
Diving Officer Dave Howson said that the support from BSAC HQ meant that they could create the club they wanted:
“All our members are experienced divers with technical qualifications from different agencies. Our certifications mean there is no requirement to do cross over training to a BSAC certification, so we can simply go diving!”
How to set up a new BSAC diving club
BSAC has put together an easy-to-use application form and online guide to setting up a new BSAC club, as well as advice and support on how to grow your membership.
If you’re an existing scuba diving or snorkelling club and would like to understand more about the benefits of becoming a BSAC club, please get in touch. Call us today on 0151 350 6201, we’ll be happy to chat it through and see how we can help. Alternatively, please email us membership@bsac.com.
New BSAC clubs come aboard
We asked two other clubs why they made the move to affiliate with BSAC.
Scubadiving-Indepth SAC
Based in Ripley, Derbyshire, Scubadiving-Indepth SAC started as a dive school in 2010, with its own non-affiliated diving club. Wanting to grow, Indepth moved its club over to BSAC in August and hasn’t looked back. With 13 members so far, Diving Officer Richard Barton said the support from BSAC has been key to the club’s smooth transition:
“The club membership system offers a lot of formal and informal support especially for UK diving which commercial agencies don’t. With help from the diving staff at BSAC HQ, we are moving forward at a great pace. It’s early days but all of us have a positive attitude to making it a long-term success.”
Carlisle Sub-Aqua Club
Set up back in 1964, Carlisle SAC was affiliated to ScotSAC but felt they needed to widen their support for members’ diving and training, as well as grow as a club. Attracted by the range of courses on offer, the club made the decision to move over to BSAC in mid-2017.
Club Chairman Jim Cookson said the change-over has gone well: “The support we’ve had from the BSAC team has been excellent. All our instructors have attended cross over training courses and have got to grips with the slightly different way of training.”
BSAC is recognised worldwide and the option of doing training in a club environment as well as attending a specific course held anywhere in the UK helps members achieve their diving goals. We now have around 40 members with a steady stream of enquiries from potential new members. I think it has definitely been the right move for us as a club.
For more information about BSAC visit their website by clicking here.
Marine Life & Conservation
Steve Backshall to headline Shark Trust’s flagship event: For the Love of Sharks
Join a host of amazing, shark loving, speakers including Steve Backshall and the Shark Trust team for an evening celebrating shark conservation at the Royal Geographical Society in London this November.
Date: 29th November 2024
Time: 6-10pm
Location: Royal Geographical Society, London
Tickets: https://www.sharktrust.org/Event/flos24
The event will be a celebration of all things shark. Those lucky enough to get hold of tickets will hear from engaging guest speakers with a passion for sharks.
The line-up includes (*subject to change if unforeseen circumstances arise)
Steve Backshall: One of television’s busiest presenters, BAFTA award-winning wildlife expert Steve has been passionate about the wild world ever since he was young.
Steve’s impressive TV career has taken him all around the world, investigating a wide array of species and environments. Steve has filmed over 100 hours of children’s wildlife programmes with the BAFTA award winning Deadly 60 franchise and recently, with Sky Nature, for his new series ‘Whale with Steve Backshall’. He has been a patron for the Shark Trust for 10 years.
Simon Rogerson: is a photojournalist specialising in natural history, diving and the sea.
He is editor of SCUBA magazine, the official journal of the British Sub-Aqua Club. Simon started his career as a crime reporter but gravitated towards his ‘less depressing’ interest in underwater exploration, joining the staff of DIVE magazine in 1999. In 2005 he was named ‘Editor of the Year’ in the PPA’s Independent Publishing Awards. Simon also works as a freelance writer, contributing frequently to the Sunday Times and Telegraph, in addition to BBC Wildlife, Esquire, and a host of international diving magazines. He is the author of a book, Dive Red Sea, published by Ultimate Sports. Now based in Berkshire, Simon has been a Patron of the Shark Trust for 20 years.
More speakers to be announced soon. Head to the Shark Trust website to learn more.
The evening will also allow guests the final chance to see the Oceanic 31, shark art exhibition. Some of the artwork will be auctioned/raffled at the event, while the rest will be auctioned online to raise money for the Shark Trust Oceanic Programme.
For the Love of Sharks is an evening with something for everyone who is interested and fascinated by sharks. Join the Shark Trust, their Patrons, Trustees and Staff, along with a host of supporters for this celebration of shark conservation.
For more information or to buy a ticket: https://www.sharktrust.org/Event/flos24
Dive Worldwide has recently introduced Kenya to its portfolio of dive destinations, making it a new must-visit for divers. The company has chosen Temple Point Resort, located in Watamu, a small town on Kenya’s Indian Ocean Coast. The resort embodies the spirit of Kenya, with thatched roof buildings and bright white interiors, complemented with local art. The Creek Deluxe rooms enjoy a creek view and sunset vistas, whilst Boutique Garden rooms offer peace nestled in lush greenery.
An abundance of activities such as golf, stand up paddleboarding and kite surfing await those looking for action; while those in search of rejuvenation may partake in a range of yoga classes, or indulge in the spa. Spend evenings dining poolside dining or lazing in hammocks suspended over the creek; there is no detail missed at Temple Point.
The waters surrounding Temple Point Resort are bustling with life, however, there is also an opportunity to explore on dry land. Tsavo National Park is close enough for a day safari, allowing guests to double up on the wildlife experiences Kenya has to offer, from elephants to whale sharks.
Suggested Dive Itinerary: Dive and Discover Kenya
Embark on an adventure to one of Africa’s finest marine parks, Watamu, the first of its kind in the continent. Created in 1968, Watamu offers excellent diving and snorkelling for those of all experience levels. Lively coral reefs and the surrounding waters are home to over 1,000 species of fish, devil rays, mantas, whale sharks, dolphins and turtles.
DEAL: Stay 12 nights for the price of 10 at Temple Point Resort
Price: Dive and Discover Kenya now costs £2295pp, saving £150 per person. Including international flights from the UK, 12 nights’ B&B (for the price of 10), transfers, 5 days, 10 dive pack, tanks and weights. Based on travel in September ONLY. https://www.diveworldwide.com/trip-ideas/dive-discover-kenya#details
For more information visit: diveworldwide.com or call 01962 302 087
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