A Dive to Remember – the winner
CONGRATULATIONS TO JAMES Hickman of Reading Blue Coats, winner of SCUBA’ s Dive to Remember writing competition. James recently visited drysuit manufacturer O’ Three at their Portland HQ to collect his prize. With a choice of the company’ s highly regarded suits, James went for an Ri2100 drysuit as his preference.
The drysuit will certainly be put to good use, as James is an avid UK diver and Advanced Instructor. His winning entry told the story of inspirational dives around Whirl Rocks in the Farne Islands. As it happens, he recently qualified as a First Class Diver, something his father Brian has also attained. In the accompanying letter on this page, Harrogate SAC Chair Jon Seed talks about this achievement, and the Hickmans’ contribution to club life.
Many thanks to our friends at O’ Three for so generously sponsoring this competition, which saw 35 entries published across six issues of SCUBA. We hope to launch another writing competition later this year, focusing on overseas scuba experiences. SIMON ROGERSON Editor
Competition winner James Hickman( left) with O’ Three Business Services manager Tom Harms
First Class: The Hickmans of Harrogate( and Reading)
BSAC HAS ONLY AWARDED THE FIRST CLASS DIVER( FCD) qualification to approximately 1,000 divers since its inception in 1956. That FCD is a relatively rare qualification is partly due to the fact that it is only awarded to experienced members who meet rigorous criteria in dive leadership, expedition planning and practical skills.
There is something else that is needed – a love for the sport, a commitment to define a goal and to strive for it. It involves a considerable investment of both time and commitment.
Among the most recent divers to make the grade is James Hickman. James is an Advanced Instructor, member of Reading BSAC and founder member / Diving Officer of Reading Blue Coat school BSAC club.
James has been diving for more than 20 years, beginning a teenager with Harrogate BSAC branch 0039. As his education and career developed, he moved on and spent time with Aberystwyth University Branch as Diving Officer, then St Albans BSAC before moving to Reading. During this time, James regularly dived year round in the UK, organising foreign trips for students and more general expeditions. He has been actively involved in Instructing and training for many years.
His father Brian has been a member of Harrogate BSAC for more than 20 years, and a member of BSAC for over 40 years. Brian learned with Durham University BSAC, then Warrington( Anglo-
American) BSAC, and is currently with Harrogate BSAC where he has served as Diving Officer. He is actively involved in training, coaching and mentoring members within the branch, diving regularly throughout the year in the UK. His favourite place is the Farne Islands, in particular its challenging dives.
Brian qualified as First Class Diver in 2009, number 918. I suspect, it is unusual for parent and child and son to take on the level of commitment to both become First Class Divers.
All at Harrogate BSAC would like to pass on our heartfelt congratulations to both James and Brian for this quite remarkable achievement. Your dedication, commitment and passion for the sport is an inspiration to us all. JON SEED, Chair, Harrogate BSAC
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