SCUBACHAT
A boost for BSAC in Leeds
MEMBERS OF LEEDS SCUBA CLUB ( BSAC 115 ) are delighted to have been selected as recipients of the Halifax Community Fund grant . This £ 5,000 grant will secure the club ’ s ability to deliver BSAC ’ s training curriculum in the Leeds and West Yorkshire area .
The Halifax Community Fund award is a grant made available to local non-profit charities , clubs , sports teams , and social groups who provide a valuable service to communities in the Yorkshire and Humber region , providing funding to purchase or renew equipment that allows them to continue to support their good work . Halifax was delighted to support Leeds BSAC and their ability to deliver accessible scuba training for everyone in the community .
Like many clubs over the Covid-19 pandemic , Leeds has struggled with fewer diving and training opportunities . With reduced club members and limited fundraising opportunities , the club has been kept going by dedicated and longserving club members . However , the costs of servicing , maintaining , and repairing club equipment whilst having limited income has put the club in a challenging financial state .
The club is immensely grateful to Halifax Bank for this grant , and the opportunity to keep providing a unique and affordable service in the City of Leeds region .
Leeds Scuba Club ’ s Chair , Seb Chander said : “ On behalf of our members I would like to express my sincerest thanks to the Halifax for the award of this funding . The Halifax Community Grant will be invaluable to our continuing emergence from the Covid-19 pandemic , as we strive to provide high quality , affordable dive education , travel and exploration opportunities for all residents of the Leeds and West Yorkshire area .”
If you ’ re interested in joining Leeds BSAC , or want to learn more , please check out their website at leeds-scuba-club . co . uk or search for Leeds Scuba Diving on Facebook . LUKE JELLEY , on behalf of Leeds Scuba Club
Containers and their divers
BACK IN SEPTEMBER , THE TOWN OF Walsrode in Northern Germany held a town fair ( Stadtfest ) and the Heidetaucher , BSAC ´ s Northern Germany Branch , was invited to set up a stall . We decided to offer free try dives in the middle of one of the town ’ s main thoroughfares , with the help of a ‘ dive container ’ loaned from the German Life Guard Association .
The container holds 30 cubic metres of water , is 6m long by 2m wide and 2.5m deep ; divers enter via a raised platform at one end . With the sponsorship of a local heating firm and a modern pellet burning , under floor heating system , the water was heated to a balmy 20 ° C . The try divers were provided with everything they needed , from shorties to towels and even a hair dryer for afterwards . All they had to provide was their own swimming costume .
The event was a resounding success , attracting attention from both old and young . Those too young to dive could interact with divers in the water , who would do some
‘ fishing ’ for them . Not only did we manage to get 49 try divers in the water over the two days but we were astounded by the number of trained divers who came out of the woodwork and showed an interest in joining the club . One old chap even brought a cylinder that he had in his cellar and donated it to the club . Needless to say , that will be off for test soon .
The branch has benefitted greatly from our involvement in the Stadtfest with a great amount of free advertising due to the coverage in the local German Press before and after the event , and the interest shown over the weekend . After all , it ’ s not every day you get the opportunity to dive in the middle of town . KEVIN HOLMES , Heidetaucher BSAC
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