BRANCHES UKDIVING + CENTRES
Centres Forward
The Cyprus solution
Mark Paisey reports on a referral that led to two would-be divers conquering their insecurity and consolidating their training
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Like driving a new car !” That ’ s how Chris and Izzy described completing their Ocean Diver with DiveStop , Cyprus . The warm , clear water , combined with the biodiversity , showed them the fantastic diving opportunities available and has pushed them to dive more . Chris , a Bicester SAC member , was two lessons short of Ocean Diver , while Izzy had yet to start . Persuaded by Chris , she submitted a ‘ Learn 2 Dive ’ enquiry on bsac . com . Contacted by the Coaching Advisor , BSAC arranged eLearning and a referral to DiveStop for pool and open water training .
“ That phone call convinced me to do the referral ,” says Izzy . “ It led me down the path to becoming a confident diver . I didn ’ t realise how much I would like it – the warm , clear water really helped when I was lacking confidence at times .
“ Knowing that we were going to a dedicated diving place and learning with professional instructors made the experience very smooth . The DiveStop experience was calm and efficient , everything was pristine and labelled and the crew were very easy to chat with .”
“ Learning with the club felt like going on a long journey , making it last three months or more ,” says Chris . “ Izzy learnt in four days , which made it less of a chore and more a learning experience . Together we saw barracuda , puffer fish , sea slugs and moray eels .”
Izzy can now join Liverpool Uni club as an Ocean Diver , and together they plan to dive Thailand .
“ If you are thinking about learning , just go for it ,” says Izzy . “ This referral system is great and I love feeling part of the BSAC community . I was given a souvenir logbook from DiveStop Cyprus , which I will treasure .” �
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
DM SCUBA TRAINING 07920 556116 • dmscuba @ hotmail . com www . dm-scuba . co . uk
DV DIVING 138 Mt Stewart Rd , Carrowdore , Newtownards , BT22 2ES dvdiving . co . uk
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
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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