News
‘Frogman’ Reg leads on BSAC club’s 60th anniversary celebration
One of Hull’s original ‘frogmen’ – now aged 90 – has launched a search for fellow scuba divers to help celebrate a historic landmark.
Great grandfather Reg Thompson is appealing for past members of British Sub Aqua Hull, the club he helped found in 1954 to join in its Diamond Anniversary festivities.
Amazingly, Reg only hung up his fins three years ago at the age of 87.
“It broke my heart when I had to stop, but my legs are not up to it anymore,” said Reg, now an honorary life member of the British Sub Aqua Hull branch.
“It means I get in for free!” he laughed. “When we first started out it was sixpence a week to join, which was a lot of money in those days.We went by the name of Hull Frogmen – myself and five diving obsessed friends.”
Reg has a treasured collection of photographs from his diving days but would love to see any other club photos or souvenirs from former members.
Hull’s Diving Officer, Trevor Jones, of Beverley, was inspired by Reg to take up diving. He said: “Reg knows just about all there is to know about scuba diving and has helped bring along so many of our youngsters over the years. He is a great character.”
Reg, whose home in Flamborough overlooks the North Sea, recalls how he and the other club founders started out by making their own diving suits.
He said: “One of them lads, Bob King, would come over to our house for tea nearly every night and we would obsess about diving, experimenting with homemade gadgetry. We operated on a shoestring, with hardly any funds. We made our own suits out of rubber sheets which were used at the time to line babies’ cots. We would stick them together with glue.
“Eventually neoprene came along which was a lot better. I remember making masks too, using rubber tubing and calor gas valves converted with an elastic band.”Our methods were very unorthodox in the early days.”
British Sub Aqua Hull, which currently has about 38 members, is keen for as many past and present members as possible to attend a 60th birthday barbecue at the aptly named Ship Inn in Dunswell on June 28.
“We’d love to hear from former Hull divers and to see any old photos or divingmemorabilia they can bring along to share with us. As a club we must have had more than 1,000 members pass through our doors over the last six decades so hopefully some of them are still in the area and able to attend,” said Trevor.
For more information about the Hull BSAC club’s 60th anniversary barbecue on June 28 at 7.30pm contact Diving Officer Trevor Jones on +44 (0)1482 862818.
The GO Diving Show – the only consumer dive and travel show in the UK – returns to the NAEC Stoneleigh on 1-2 March 2025, just in time to kick off the new season, and early bird 2-for-1 tickets are now available, representing fantastic value for money.
Buy your ticket before 31 January 2025 for £17.50, and get your buddy, your spouse or your best friend in with you absolutely free! Or why not bring that non-diving mate along so they can see all of the wonders of the underwater world they are missing out on!
Effectively, the 2-for-1 offer equates to each ticket being just £8.75. And as always, this includes complimentary parking. And under-16s go free of charge, so bring the kids along for a fabulous family day out!
The Main Stage headline presenter is TV star, author and adventurer Steve Backshall, making a welcome return to the GO Diving Show after a few years away. He’ll be joined by NASA-trained NEEMO Aquanaut and Head of Scientific Research at DEEP Dawn Kernagis, fellow TV presenter, author and perennial favourite Monty Halls, and the dynamic duo of explorers Rannva Joermundsson and Maria Bollerup, who will be talking about their recent Expedition Buteng in Indonesia.
The dedicated UK Stage, Tech Stage, Photo Stage and Inspiration Stage are filling up with some familiar faces and a host of fresh speakers, and the show floor is getting fill to capacity with hundreds of exhibitors, including tour operators, resorts, dive centres, liveaboards, tourist boards, training agencies, manufacturers, retailers, and the ever-popular British Isles Experience.
You can take advantage of the Go Diving Show 2-for-1 ticket deal here.
Following a period away, Palau – a dream destination for countless divers – is excited to rejoin the boot water sports show in Duesseldorf, Germany.
This prestigious water sports show, taking place from January 18 to 26, 2025, provides Palau with a platform to showcase its unique offerings in diving, snorkelling, and sustainable tourism.
Located in the western Pacific’s Micronesian region and part of the Caroline Islands, the Republic of Palau comprises over 340 picturesque islands. Although small in landmass, Palau is a natural wonder both above and below the water.
Palau is renowned as a global leader in environmental conservation. Years ago, the nation implemented forward-thinking measures to preserve its natural resources. In 2009, Palau became the world’s first national shark sanctuary, banning commercial shark fishing. To further protect its marine ecosystem, home to over 1,500 fish species and about 700 coral species, Palau established a fully protected marine sanctuary spanning 193,000 square miles in 2015.
Palau’s return to the boot shows marks a significant moment for the island nation, celebrated for its crystal-clear waters, pristine coral reefs, and extraordinary marine biodiversity. Visitors to the Palau booth will discover a vision of sustainable tourism, as environmental stewardship is deeply ingrained in the islanders’ way of life.
“We are thrilled to return to Germany and share the beauty and diversity of Palau with the world,” says Kadoi Ruluked, Managing Director of the Palau Visitors Authority, who will lead the delegation at the trade show. “boot provides an outstanding platform to position Palau as a premier destination for sustainable tourism and a true paradise for underwater adventures.”
Amid growing global efforts toward eco-friendly tourism, Palau continues to set benchmarks with initiatives such as the “Palau Pledge.” By signing this pledge, visitors commit to respecting and protecting the environment during their stay. These and other measures will be highlighted at the event to raise awareness of marine ecosystem conservation.
The boot water sports show offers a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in Palau’s culture and natural beauty while planning unforgettable diving and snorkelling trips. The Palau Visitors Authority warmly invites all attendees to explore their booth and experience the unspoiled charm of Palau.
Learn everything there is to know about this extraordinary destination at
Hall 12, booth nr. E42.
The exhibition runs from January 18 to 26, 2025, in Duesseldorf.
For more information or to schedule interviews and meetings, please contact: Judith Hoppe, WhatsApp: +49-151-5523 1966, e-mail palau@tourism-unlimited.com
For more information about Palau, please visit: www.pristineparadisepalau.com or follow us on social media at https://www.instagram.com/visitpalau/ or https://www.facebook.com/pristineparadisepalau/
Photo credit: © Judith Hoppe
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