SCUBAHUB
New Coach for East Midlands region
DENYS ILYUSHENKO has been announced as the new BSAC Regional Coach for the East Midlands region.
First Class Diver Denys steps into the role, taking over from outgoing East Midlands Regional Coach Jeff Roberts. Denys, who learnt to dive with Warwick University SAC, is also currently preparing for the National Instructor exam.
Denys said his own diving journey had been shaped by the regional coaching scheme.“ My experiences wouldn’ t have been possible without the encouragement and guidance of fellow divers, instructors, and regional coaches. Their mentorship helped shape me into the diver and instructor I am today.
“ Now, stepping into the role of East
Midlands Regional Coach, I’ m excited to give back. I look forward to working with a team of experienced, dedicated and passionate people, helping other divers and instructors grow in confidence, develop their skills, and discover the joy of teaching.”
BSAC Diving and Training Advisor Julia Branagan welcomed Denys to the coaching team.
“ We look forward to working with him as he brings his considerable skills and experience to support BSAC training in the East Midlands region.
“ I’ d also like to thank Jeff Roberts, who is vacating the position after four years in the role, for his continued support in welcoming and supporting Denys as he takes up the reins.”
For more information on the Regional Coaching Scheme in your area or to contact your Regional Coach, go to bsac. com / coaching
Do you have picture perfection?
2025 UPY winning image‘ Radiant Bond’ by Spanish photographer Alvaro Herrero
Benefit of the Month
BSAC Kit Partners
AS THE FESTIVE SEASON LOOMS, are you still struggling to find the perfect gift for the diver or snorkeller in your life? Or do you want to treat yourself and upgrade your kit ready for the New Year? Then now’ s the time to make the most of your membership benefits and grab a discount from one of BSAC’ s fantastic kit partners.
Here’ s our seasonal round-up of BSAC’ s current kit partners and the latest deals they offer members:
■ Custom Divers: From technical kit to masks and snorkels, Custom Divers offers exclusive discounts across most of their product range for BSAC instructors and members.
■ Navionics: Navimaps, the UK and Ireland distributor for Navionics and Garmin Navionics, is offering 15 % off for club boats( Branch Officers) and 10 % off for other members.
■ Northern Diver: All BSAC members receive 10 % off everything in Northern Diver’ s sport diving range( excluding cylinders and sale items).
■ O’ Three: Save £ 100 off base layers with the purchase of a new, full-price drysuit.
■ Otter Drysuits: BSAC members can get a 10 % off RRP on Atlantic and Britannic MK2 Telescopic Suits.
■ SEAC: BSAC members can claim 15 % off the entire SEAC SUB scuba and snorkelling product range.
THE PRESTIGIOUS UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2026 IS STILL OPEN for entries, with photographers having until 4 January to submit their images.
Attracting some of the best underwater photographers around the globe, the Underwater Photographer of the Year( UPY) is widely considered one of the world’ s leading underwater photography competitions and attracts thousands of entries every year.
With last year’ s winning image of a humpback whale and her calf captured by Alvaro Herrero wowing the judges, the standard of entries are once again expected to be high.
The 2026 Underwater Photographer of the Year competition has 13 categories, including Macro, Wide Angle, Behaviour, Wreck and Conservation Photography, as well as three categories for photos taken specifically in British waters. It also features a new-for-2026 mobile phone category. The overall Underwater Photographer of the Year 2026 will be awarded to‘ the best in show’ from all the categories.
For more information on Underwater Photographer of the Year 2026 and to enter go to www. underwaterphotographeroftheyear. com
To find out how to claim your discount from each of our Kit Partners in time for Christmas, go to bsac. com / kitpartners
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