at least every fortnight ; for local scouts , youth groups and friends and family groups . In addition , we run try dive sessions in local leisure centres at least once or twice a year .
We also work with the Stowe School Combined Cadet Force and take their members on try dives several times a year as part of their cadet training . This spring , we completed a two-hour diving experience for 30 young ( 14- 16 year old ) cadets in a single day and have another day booked for later in the year .
Does this lead to new members ?
Our work with local Scout and youth groups has led to new members on numerous occasions . We have a very strong training focus ; generally training between three and six new Ocean Divers a year , and most years running Sports Diver , Dive Leader and Advanced Diver training . Right now , 23 of our 32 members are in training : six are beginners ; eight are working towards Sports Diver ; six are working towards Dive Leader ; three are going for Advanced Diver .
What type of training is most popular ?
Alongside our diver training , Twin Set Diver ; Compressor Operation and Mix Gas Blender Skill Development Courses ( SDCs ) are popular . We have our own compressor and nitrox blending facilities . We have an increasing core of divers who do a reasonable
Wading through the River Ouse in Buckingham
amount of diving at 40-50m depths , using side-slungs for accelerated decompression . Lots of members have cameras or GoPros and we use their output to promote the club , and to give feedback during training .
What instructors do you have in the club ?
We encourage our divers to take on more responsibilities within the club and actively prepare them for instructor-level courses . The club supports any Sports Divers who wish to attend an Instructor Development Course . We have five Assistant Diving Instructors ; three Open Water Instructors ; an Assistant Advanced instructor ; and two Snorkelling Instructors .
How do you organise your training ?
We have access to the Stowe School pool , which is three metres deep , and regular access to a local sailing club lake , which is ideal for training . We focus our pool sessions from September through to May , and switch to diving outdoors during the summer when we meet weekly with our trainees at our local lake .
We are fortunate to have most facilities on our doorstep , using assets at the sailing club , along with our own compressor and gas bank in a building on site at Stowe School . We also have more than 30 sets of kit ( regulators , BCs , fins , wetsuits , masks ), and pride ourselves that no new member
Sam Jordan , Claire Rhodes , Wilf Howes ( feeling the cold ), Roger Bray and Alex Neil at the annual River Ouse Rinse in Buckingham , 2020
23