FAVOURITEKIT
“
My 22-yearold McMahon large yellow reel ! It ’ s so easy to use with thick gloves and great to hang off on a drift dive .
”
Ocean Diver trainees thawing out post-dive
interest was really sparked . They ended up being my dive buddy for a number of years . I saw an advert on Yorkshire television by Doncaster SAC having an open day and the rest is history .”
Today , Linda has amassed more than 500 dives and logs most of them . Due to some injuries her diving has been limited in recent years , but she is getting back into the game and revisiting her favourite UK spots . “ I just love water but it ’ s the wonder of the underwater world that intrigues me ,” she says . “ I ’ ve done a number of sports through the years and unfortunately the body has suffered , so diving is one of the sports that I can still do . I love the Farne Islands and especially taking in new divers , seeing the look on their face when they encounter seals for the first time .”
A natural born volunteer , Linda has been Chair of DSAC for most of her 22 years as a diver , and was drawn to instructing because she wanted to support that side of club life .
“ As a club we were struggling with theory lectures , so I thought get my Theory Instructor qualification . Then as I got older I could still be involved in training , if not
Linda aged 16 , with mask , fins and … umbrella ?
open water . That was back in 2009 , but since then every time I spoke to Jim Watson at HQ he would ask me when I was doing my PIE ( Practical Instructor Exam )? My answer was always that I was too old and had too many injuries . Then he said ‘ don ’ t
we have a Diving for All programme ?’... to which I didn ’ t have an answer . I finally qualified as an OWI in 2023 , at the age of 71 . I love instructing and watching young and old alike progress beyond what they originally thought they were capable of .”
Given her enthusiasm for teaching and the diving experience , it ’ s unsurprising that Linda ’ s favourite course is Ocean Diver . “ It ’ s the start of the journey ,” she says . “ I love watching nervous people become confident , and it ’ s not only in the water ; the newfound confidence can also impact on their personal life . Young people who may be no good at sport at school , or not allowed to do sport because of a physical medical issue may find that it doesn ’ t stop them diving . They just flourish in the water .” �
SKILLSTIP
“
Don ’ t underestimate the value of experience – you can ’ t get that out of a book . Teaching should not only be informative , but fun . Students can become bored with skills and drills on every dive . Yes , they are important ; but new divers need to experience the beauty of being underwater .
”
Diving with friends at Dorothea Quarry , North Wales
Become an Instructor !
Sports Divers and up ( for scuba ) and 16 + year olds ( for snorkelling ) can start instructor training .
Scan for more info
Or visit bsac . com / instruct 49