SCUBACHAT
Quiet courage
AT 75 YEARS OLD, PAULINE SHAW HAS achieved something she’ s carried in her heart since childhood— becoming a fully qualified BSAC Ocean Diver. Her journey hasn’ t been simple, and that’ s exactly what makes it remarkable.
From a young age, Pauline was captivated by the idea of exploring the underwater world. But life, as it often does, placed obstacles in her path. Being deaf, undergoing a hip replacement, and facing the physical and logistical challenges that come with both could easily have convinced anyone to let the dream go. Pauline never did. Instead, she chose determination over doubt.
With the support of Wigan Scuba Divers, Pauline found a club that didn’ t see limitations – only possibilities. The instructors adapted communication, training methods, and pacing to suit
BRANCH 36 WAS FORMED IN 1956 AND is still going strong 70 years later, despite being landlocked with at least a 2-3 hour journey to the coast. We have several new members doing their Ocean Diver training and new transfers in doing their Sports Diver training along with existing members.
her needs, ensuring she always felt safe, supported, and empowered. Her confidence grew with every pool session, every skill mastered, every small victory. Then came the big step: open water training in the warm, clear Red Sea with Elite Diving in Sharm El Sheikh. Their patient, experienced team worked hand-in-hand with Wigan Scuba Divers to
Sheffield Scuba’ s celebration
Our longest serving member joined in 1969 and he’ s been diving ever since!
To celebrate our landmark anniversary we have several activities planned, from competitions based on diving and different dives planned both in the UK and further afield, culminating in a celebratory dinner give Pauline the best possible environment to complete her qualification. Together, they created a space where her challenges weren’ t barriers – they were simply parts of the journey. And Pauline rose to every single one. From mask skills to buoyancy control, from descending into the blue to surfacing with a smile that said everything, she proved that passion doesn’ t fade with age – it deepens.
Today, Pauline stands as a BSAC Ocean Diver, a role model to every diver who thinks their dream might be out of reach. Her story is a reminder that courage isn’ t loud; sometimes it’ s quiet, steady, and unstoppable.
At 75, Pauline didn’ t just learn to scuba dive. She showed the world that it’ s never too late to rewrite your story. Pauline’ s success is a perfect reflection of what the club stands for: inclusion, determination, adventure, and the belief that it’ s never too late to chase a dream..
Congratulations Pauline. MIKE LINNETT, Wigan Scuba Divers
on 14 November. If you were a member of Sheffield Scuba( formerly known as BSAC 36) or have dived with and would like to join our celebrations, contact us by email at SheffieldscubaBSAC36 @ gmail. com or phone 07815 18547. Alternatively, if you can’ t make it but have some anecdotes or photos to share it would be great to hear from you. SUSAN GILL, Sheffield Scuba
Dolce vita on the Honeydew
APRIL SAW AN ACTION-PACKED FEW DAYS FOR THE crew of MV Honeydew. On top of our regular charter activity we did a bunch of diver training for our local club HISAC( Highlands and Islands Sub Aqua Club). Four Ocean Diver trainees and three Sports Diver trainees between them got through 17 lessons’ worth of practical training and eight of theory. Two of the ODs completed their final qualifying dives and two of our SDs are just one lesson away from completing their qualification! Well done to everyone on some epic achievements( including Rohan Holt who managed to fit in all this instructing around also skippering the boat!). Special thanks to Andrew Hunt for guest instruction in challenging conditions. Sarah Chan, MV Honeydew
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