CLUBFOCUS
Promoting BSAC at Bude Carnival
snorkel programme too , as it ’ s a great modular approach with minimal costs . The hope for 2020 was to offer the redesigned BSAC snorkelling awards , running sessionsbased sign-off of skills rather than levels of qualification , but we couldn ’ t as the pool was closed . It ’ s looking hopeful for summer 2022 , though ; it ’ ll be good to have the first BSAC-qualified snorkel grade in the club .
I ’ m getting a sense of your community focus …
As well as the snorkelling , we regularly use our dive boat to provide safety cover for local gig rowing or charity raft race events . We also enjoy working with The National Trust to provide safe snorkelling events at Boscastle , offering adults and kids guided tours around the harbour ; and we ’ ve even been known to help the RNLI find lost equipment . In short , we did a couple of zero-viz searches and recovered an engine cowling lost during a capsize demo by the local lifeboat crew , saving the RNLI £ 1,000 .
And your environmental interests …
As well as our diving education work , we use our skills to help a range of local clubs , and we care for the local wildlife with our environmental clean-ups . The area has a large seal and sea bird population , and there are numerous pictures in the press of the damage fishing line , lead weights and plastic does . Our activities ensure that , at least locally , the risk to marine animals is reduced . We underwater litter-pick our local beaches and bays . Using the boat enables us to access places along the north coast that others cannot reach . We ’ ve also released baby lobsters for the local hatchery , ensuring that they make it safely into their new habitats .
What resources does the club have ?
We ’ ve access to a great local pool ( Ruby Oak Park , Holsworthy ), where we were going to host an Instructor Foundation Course , but it was lost to Covid . We own a compressor , new to us , but second-hand , and rent a container to house it .
How does the club raise funds ?
We usually cover all our costs from membership , boat , air and pool fees . We have struggled this year , but have managed to get a couple of grants . We made an Active Together application and the effort was worth it ; other clubs should give it a go . We also achieved a Cornwall Council Grow Nature seed-funding contribution and we ’ ve been really lucky to receive a Secure Communities Scheme grant from Burg Wächter ( www . burg . biz / uk ) for a secure outbuilding kit to help keep our compressor and equipment safe .
What is Active Together all about ?
Launched back in May as part of Sport England ’ s Covid response , Active Together had £ 1m to help local sports clubs and community groups through the crisis . Working in partnership with online fundraising platform Crowdfunder UK , Active Together will match funds raised up to a
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Jim Danks sets up try dive kit