Let’s face it, we’re all really missing diving now but the lockdown is an excellent time to look for underwater inspiration elsewhere. How about tuning into The BiG Scuba Podcast? A new, UK-based podcast where they discuss everything to do with diving and the ocean and hope to promote scuba diving to more people!

The BiG Scuba Podcast was launched in January 2020 by friends Ian Last and Gemma Kemp who wanted to create a light-hearted look at the sport of scuba diving and recreate that sense of camaraderie and inspiration that divers feel on a trip with friends and fellow divers. They also wanted the podcast to be independent, not beholden to a particular agency or dive centre. They wanted to freely voice their opinions as if we are all sitting together in a bar after a day’s diving.

Ian and Gemma are the “I” and the “G” of The BiG Scuba Podcast. Ian is already an experienced PADI Divemaster but Gemma is a new diver so a big part of the aim of the podcast is to follow Gemma’s journey as she learns to dive. The duo hope that newbie divers, especially women, can relate to Gemma’s journey and follow her progress and give scuba a try themselves.

The podcast is based on all things scuba but this includes a wealth of subjects from actual diving, diving specialities and also the education, exploration and marine conservation of the underwater world and fresh water conservation too.

So far, Gemma and Ian have attracted a host of inspirational guests from around the world including well known personalities in the diving world, marine biologists, cave divers and just divers who love the sport and who have positive stories to tell. Guests have included Cristina Zenato, Andy Torbet, John Chatterton, as well as a podcast about the work of The Reef-World Foundation. Coming up soon are Jill Heinerth, Monty Halls and many others!

In addition, the team have also created their “Little BiG Chats” that are available exclusively on a YouTube channel called ABIGCHAT. These are not well known guests as such but people with a great story to convey to viewers. Guests have included young divers just starting out on their journey, representatives of the BDMLR (British Divers Marine Life Rescue), a fellow YouTuber, a Mermaid, a freediver, and other people just passionate about the diving life.

Gemma and Ian aim to encourage the positives from the water sport industries, big up great diving brands from the UK, and encourage more women to join in water based sports whether it’s scuba diving, kayaking or free diving. They also bring awareness to green issues and help spread knowledge, advice and opinions on conservation, scuba news and travel. Check them out!

You can listen to the latest podcast episodes of The BiG Scuba on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other platforms. Find out more at their website: www.thebigscubapodcast.com.