CLUBFOCUS
Loading the boat at St Abbs – 20 divers in two waves
PHOTO : MIKE SMITH
Burntwood Sub Aqua Club is all about going diving . Being a Midlands club , members often dive in quarries such as Dosthill or Stoney Cove . However , the club owns two RIBs and ensures all dive managers can plan to get the best from the tide for diving and the launch and recovery of the boats . The club maintains that this ethos of fully planning RIB trips to the coast produces better divers . Understanding that water offers a wonderful release from the restrictions of life on land , the club has embraced the ‘ diving for all ’ way of life , which can really add to the life experiences of all involved .
The Scalla wreck in Portland at 54m
How long has Burntwood SAC been around ?
We are celebrating reaching 50 this year . The club was formed way back in 1972 by a group of enthusiasts wanting to create a local facility for recreational diving . At the time , one of the founders contacted Roy Peakman , who ran Midas , a local Birmingham dive shop that also made diving suits . Roy became a founder member and his assistance and advice has been invaluable to the club .
Where do you meet ?
Members have dual membership at a local working men ’ s club , which provides facilities for meetings , lectures and socialising . We also used the local fire station for lectures but during Covid the fire department decided that the risk was too great , as a whole shift could be compromised . We use Burntwood Recreation Centre pool for training . We are fortunate to be able to store our training equipment adjacent to the pool .
No clubhouse then ?
We used to have a clubhouse at the old baths , but it was demolished to make way for the new leisure facility . This was where we stored our boats , and ran our compressor . Then , we had to dispose of our club compressor / storage bank due to the loss of the building . Some land had been set aside on which we could start again , but initially the required building styles were too expensive for us . Our latest plan is to get a brick-built scheme agreed , but we ’ re struggling to get the necessary approvals . Ultimately , we ’ re in need of funding ideas and help to make our clubhouse dream a reality .
Do you still own boats ?
Yes , we own two RIBs ( a Delta and a Tornado ). We ’ re convinced we make better divers by having the boats . They weren ’ t seaworthy early on in 2021 . Now , one is back to working condition ( we replaced part of the tubes and dealt with some electrical issues ) but the other requires some work
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