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What ’ s the range of personal diving skills among members ?
At present we have : 10 trainees ; six Ocean Divers , five other agency divers at same level ; nine Sports Divers and two other agency divers at same level ; five Dive Leaders ; three Advanced Divers and a First Class Diver . And we want to pass on our diving skills to new members so they can safely enjoy the wonderful diving available here on the north coast and in other areas .
Ocean Diver training , 2022
Chris and Kathryn , Ocean Diver Trainees in 2022
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Ocean Divers ’ 2022 pool session at Coleraine Grammar
Who is on your training team ?
We have five Assistant Diving Instructors , two Open Water Instructors and an Advanced Instructor . We concentrate on delivering Diver Training Programme courses , which has taken longer than usual over the past couple of years . For skill development , members can go to regional courses , often held in Belfast some 60 miles away . Training others as a volunteer with Skerrie Scuba provides challenges such as the availability of instructors , expense or even gaining access to training facilities . However , as we love the sport and the opportunity to transfer our passion to other people , it ’ s all worthwhile . There truly is nothing like seeing a trainee after their first open-water dive .
Our membership secretary , Ray Moore , who is also one of our Ocean Diver trainees whose training was interrupted by Covid restrictions , said : “ What else could you do at the age of 45 that is so different from anything else you have done before ? The experience underwater is mind-blowing , with such diverse and beautiful nature on our doorstep . And I now get the chance to explore it .”
What ’ s your local diving like ?
As a club , most of our dives are shore dives . Fortunately for Skerrie Scuba , being based on the north coast of Northern Ireland means we can take advantage of the local coastline of naturally protected headlands . We can access a wide range of depths from 4-40 metres , all within a half-mile of our base . If the weather is really bad , members have even been known to jump into the hot tub just to get into the water .
We also use our boats locally and sometimes go further afield with dive charters organised by Aquaholics ; Mevagh Dive Centre in County Donegal , Ireland , and Arranmore Charters , also in Co . Donegal .
Can you tell readers about your favourite sites …
We have wrecks and reefs nearby . Our favourites are the Gully , which is behind the Skerries about 10-15 mins by RIB