BSAC ’ s University Coordinator , Yasmine Thorn , speaks to just some of the uni clubs to find out how they are bouncing back after the Covid years
SCUBAHUB
Uni clubs keep it Fresh
BSAC ’ s University Coordinator , Yasmine Thorn , speaks to just some of the uni clubs to find out how they are bouncing back after the Covid years
WE HAVE ALREADY MADE IT BACK round to the freshers run , and the university clubs have been at it again with all their amazing efforts . Between September and November every year , university clubs around the country recruit new members to join the BSAC UK diving community .
Seeing the amazing commitment and activities going on up and down the country has been fantastic . One Fresher Fair club , LUUSAC ( Leeds ) recruited 16 Ocean Diver training spots and 12 + Sports Diver spots , and all spots sold out in under two minutes ! And the activities and stalls from all our fresher clubs have been wonderful to see . Outside of recruiting , it ’ s also inspiring to see university clubs working together to share resources and get out diving . After being introduced by Hereford SAC at the Kernow Dive Festival , Daniel Rosen of EUSAC ( Exeter ) planned and ran a trip to Swanage for his club . CUSAC ( Cardiff ) was invited to join the dive so that both clubs could gain experience in the planning , organisation , and execution of a dive weekend .
Simon Betts of CUSAC explains : “ The plan was for two dives at Swanage Pier and two dives either from a RIB or from Chesil Beach if the weather wasn ’ t good
“ The impressive part of these dives is how many people have been coming forward ”
enough for the boat . The group was a mix of Ocean Divers up to Dive Leaders . EUSAC organised all the shore cover , with CUSAC in a supporting role where needed . The fills were the responsibility of each club , and EUSAC selected the campsite . Some 13 divers participated in the weekend , with all divers completing their dives .”
Like many university clubs , CUSAC has struggled to retain members and continue diving and operating throughout Covid , and is just now starting to get back on its feet .
“ Cardiff has had to lean heavily on the community to rebuild itself . The impressive part of these dives is how many people have been coming forward to offer their services as a training instructor and offering spare kit for the club . The community has also tried to find workarounds so that kit can be brought back into test at a reasonable price and with sufficient support to ensure we can get ourselves functioning independently .”
Such community building is so exciting , and we want to support other university clubs in forging similar relationships . So , if you need support , please contact Mandy Ryder at BSAC HQ – mandyr @ bsac . com - or contact one of your local university reps for more guidance .
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