CLUBFOCUS
Try dive briefing for Instructor team and Alsager Round Table
Ilsa Hattersley, Alsager’ s youngest member
For that we are extremely grateful. We have always had support from the membership team, especially during 2025 when trying to get to grips with the new system. They have given invaluable help and advice to our new committee members.
So, where do you go for training?
We visit Capernwray for training, equipment testing and skill refreshment. Dosthill is another favoured location, and we go to Stoney Cove for depth progression. We like the Anglesey area for seawater experience and shore diving. Porth Dafarch is great for beginners. It has a sandy bottom, rocky outcrops, seals and an easy entry. Trearddur Bay has reefs and wrecks: Editor, Missouri and Have are all within a short RIB ride. The Menai Strait is a great scenic dive under the suspension bridge, but it should only be dived in slack water.
And for club dive trips?
Most members enjoy diving in and around the British Isles. For weekend diving, the Isles of Scilly and Scapa Flow are among our top choices. Baltimore on the Wild Atlantic Way coastline in County Cork, Ireland, was a particular favourite some years ago. Generally, we charter a boat for such diving excursions.
In a different kind of dive in 2025, around 20 of our members participated in a dry dive at the Midland Dive Chamber; an incredible experience. We sincerely hope there will be no further chamber closures, as these facilities are invaluable not only to divers but also to individuals with debilitating health conditions.
Where are you off to this year?
We are planning on diving the lochs of Scotland. We are off to Plymouth in April. We’ re also hoping to organise a trip to Oban and Scapa Flow, and possibly another trip to the Farne Islands, if time permits. The protected wreck Resurgam, the world’ s first steam-powered submarine, which sank off Rhyl in Wales, is once again on our list, as our previous two attempts were cancelled due to inclement weather.
And for holiday diving?
We appreciate warm water diving opportunities from time to time. In September 2025, 14 members had a wonderful time diving in Hurghada with Emperor Divers aboard the Emperor
Asmaa. We all felt completely safe and very well cared for, which was particularly appreciated given the current situation with some other operators in Egypt. The Maldives is a favourite for 2026, with a trip to the Galapagos already being organised for 2027.
What else is coming up in 2026?
More try dives. In 2025, we successfully completed try dives for around 20 Army cadets who went on to successfully qualify in Malta. We had around 30 scouts and more than 10 Round Table members. We have four try dive sessions scheduled and planned in 2026, in which we’ ll be hosting around 40 Cheshire scouts, 30 Haslington scouts and 30 to 40 Alsager scouts. We are also looking forward to a session for the Army cadets again. It is during these occasions that we truly see the club unite to ensure success.
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary( our club was established in 1976), we aspire to make it a memorable year for all the right reasons. We wish to see the club continue to thrive and grow stronger. We believe this is our moment. We are so excited for the things to come. �
Fundraising at Race Night, DO Roy Johnson on the right
Training Officer Elaine Hassall in a new drysuit
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