BRANCHES UKDIVING + CENTRES
Centres Forward
The Cyprus Phenomenon
Mark Paisey returns to Dive Stop Cyprus with this story of a couple who needed a guarantee of quality rental equipment
Rhys Jones and his partner Mia Temkin recently completed the new Advanced Ocean Diver course in Cyprus . Asked why they chose this course at a BSAC Centre , Rhys says “ we plan to travel around the world , we wanted to know more and needed the extra depth the course provides .” However , both had concerns about safety as they knew diving relies on well-maintained equipment .
“ Simply visiting a centre in the blind hope that their equipment would be adequately maintained was difficult for us ,” Rhys says . “ In the end , what persuaded us to go was the referral process , and our conversation with BSAC ’ s Coaching Advisor . That conversation finally persuaded us to go for it , effectively BSAC had given this dive centre their seal of approval . so we knew it was reputable .
“ Divestop Cyprus was phenomenal ... our first impressions were excellent , the place was spotless and the team very engaging . Will Stratford , the owner , managed to balance fun with safety by blending the skills with fun learning . The theory was blended into practical training ; we learned how to recover from situations , navigate underwater and dive safely to 30m .
“ The best part was a swim-through , with some spectacular underwater scenery . I would have considered it too dangerous at the start of the week , but my confidence grew with the training and I can now see how wonderful scuba diving can be . The 30m dive gave us a fantastic sense of achievement that we hope to take forward with more training .” �
Branch + Centre Partnership Scheme explained
Designed to support branches with their training , the model is that new members join your branch , train at the centre , then return to your branch as qualified divers .
Benefits to branches :
• There ’ s no cost to enter , and you can withdraw at any time
• The scheme enables BSAC clubs to take on more new members , year-round
• It assists with resource challenges , such as lack of instructors , or pool access
• The partnership supports and cements relations with local BSAC dive centres
More information and benefits at bsac . com / PartnershipScheme
PARTNERSHIP CENTRES
ANDARK DIVING AND WATERSPORTS 256 Bridge Road , Lower Swawick , Southampton , Hampshire SO31 7FL • 01489 581755 • andy @ andark . co . uk • www . andark . co . uk
DIVECREW Brookers Corner , Crowthorne , Berkshire RG45 6ST 01344 771113 • info @ divecrew . co . uk • www . divecrew . co . uk
DIVEWORLD Sheffield , South Yorkshire S6 4JR 01142 332995 www . learn2dive . co . uk info @ learn2dive . co . uk
DM SCUBA TRAINING 07920 556116 • dmscuba @ hotmail . com • www . dm-scuba . co . uk
DV DIVING 138 Mt Stewart Rd , Carrowdore , Newtownards , T22 2ES dvdiving . co . uk
OCEAN DIVING Basingstoke , Hampshire 07854 554809 bsac @ oceanturtlediving . com
ROBIN HOOD WATERSPORTS 152 Leeds Road , Heckmondwike , West Yorkshire WF16 9BJ 01924 444888 • sales @ roho . co . uk • www . roho . co . uk
SANDFORD & DOWN 24 Pier Street , West Hoe , Plymouth , Devon PL1 3BT 01752 266248 • dive @ sandfordanddown . co . uk • www . divesubsea . co . uk
SCUBA SCHOOL Studley , Warwickshire 01527 852555 . www . scubaschool . org . uk , darren @ scubaschool . org . uk
SCUBA WALES Neath , West Glamorgan 07794 452192 www . scuba . wales scubawales @ outlook . com
SCUBATS 19 / M Winchester Avenue , Denny , Falkirk , Stirlingshire , Scotland FK6 6QE 07449669494 • scubat2017 @ gmail . com • www . scubats . co . uk
ST ABBS CHARTERS : St Abbs Harbour , Eyemouth TD14 5PW
STONEY COVE Sapcote Road , Stoney Stanton , Leicester LE9 4DW 01455 273089 • diving @ stoneycove . com • www . stoneycove . com
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