News
BSAC reaches its 8,000th Open Water Instructor milestone

BSAC has qualified its 8,000th Open Water Instructor (OWI) since the instructor grade was introduced in 1995.
Eighteen-year-old Charlotte Jones, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts, has officially become the recipient of OWI number 8000 after completing her last exam earlier in the summer.
A member of Mansfield Seahorse Club, she has now boosted her club’s Open Water Instructor numbers to three, meaning the club can train even more new divers.
Charlotte, who learnt to dive at the age of 12 and has been a regular UK diver since she started, is thrilled to become BSAC’s 8000th OWI.
She said: “It’s a nice easy number to remember when signing logbooks! It really means a lot to be able to share a sport I love with new people. For my club it also means they have another instructor who can regularly get in the water and help people progress to their next qualification. Being an instructor is such a rewarding experience and I would definitely encourage more people to go for it!”
For anyone considering becoming a BSAC instructor, the first step is the two-day Instructor Foundation Course (IFC). BSAC Sports Divers and above can complete the IFC to become an Assistant Dive Instructor, which means you can assist in branch with try dives and pool training. Dive Leaders and above can then go on to complete the full Open Water Instructor course.
Would you like to instruct?
The BSAC instructor training season 2015/2016 is now up and running, with courses from the IFC and above scheduled around the country. For more information on the BSAC Instructor Training Scheme and to find a relevant course near you go to www.bsac.com/instructorinfo.
Not yet a Dive Leader? Ask your club’s Training Officer about progressing your diver grade or contact your regional coach – www.bsac.com/regionalsupport.
Marine Life & Conservation
Watch The Real Watergate from Live Ocean Foundation (Trailer)

Sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke established Live Ocean Foundation out of their deep concern for health of the ocean and the life in it. Through their sport they champion action for the ocean, taking this message to the world.
Many of the issues the ocean faces are out of sight, but the science is clear, the ocean is in crises from multiple stressors; climate change, pollution and over-fishing. We’re not moving fast enough, not even close.
Live Ocean Foundation supports exceptional marine scientists, innovators and communicators who play a vital role in the fight for a healthy future.
Thanks to generous core donors who cover their operating costs, 100% of public donations go directly towards the marine conservation projects they support.
Find out more at https://liveocean.com/foundation/
WATCH THE REAL WATERGATE AT https://www.realwatergate.com/
Marine Life & Conservation
World Oceans Day: Fourth Element and Love The Oceans join forces

FOURTH ELEMENT AND LOVE THE OCEANS JOIN FORCES TO CELEBRATE WORLD OCEANS DAY AND ADVANCE MARINE CONSERVATION WITH A NEW PARTNERSHIP
Fourth Element, a leading provider of high-quality dive gear, and Love The Oceans, a non-profit organization dedicated to marine conservation, have announced their new partnership on World Oceans Day, June 8th, 2023. This collaboration represents a shared commitment to protecting our oceans and promoting sustainable practices within the diving community.
Love The Oceans is widely recognized for their exceptional work in marine conservation and their dedication to community development in Mozambique. The organization’s approach involves not only protecting marine wildlife and habitats but also empowering local communities to become guardians of their own environment.
They place a strong emphasis on empowering women in the field of marine conservation. The team actively supports and encourages women to participate in their research programs, providing opportunities for training, leadership development, and career advancement, inspiring a new generation of female scientists and conservationists.
Love The Oceans seek out passionate individuals within local communities and provide them with training and resources. Fourth Element will then support these champions to become divers and ambassadors of the ocean, spreading awareness, implementing sustainable practices, and inspiring others to join the movement.

Photo: Mario Guilamba
“We are thrilled to embark on this partnership with Love The Oceans,” said Jim Standing, co-founder of Fourth Element. “Our shared commitment to sustainable practices and marine conservation makes this collaboration a natural fit. We believe that by joining forces, we can amplify our efforts to protect our oceans and inspire positive change within the diving community.”
Francesca Trotman, Founder and CEO of Love The Oceans, expressed her excitement about the collaboration, stating, “We’re thrilled to be working with Fourth Element, a brand that aligns with our values and ethos. This partnership will enable us to get more local community members scuba diving in Mozambique, monitoring our reef systems, and striving for better protection of our marine world. Working together, we’re conserving Mozambique’s coastline for generations to come.”
For more, visit www.fourthelement.com
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