CLUBFOCUS
Ocean Diver training at Vobster Quay
34
Malcolm Strickland
Shore dive at Babbacombe
What does greener diving look like to you ?
We regularly remove litter and plastics from the sites that we dive , and were recently involved with the 1000 Tyres Project1000tyres . org . This is a community enterprise that involves lots of enthusiastic volunteers working alongside the project team . You can find out how to get involved on their website . The aim is to remove tyres and other pollutants from our marine environment , starting by cleaning up Plymouth Sound in Devon . Up-and-coming trainee Dive Leaders Euan Nicholas and Francesca Molinari also led a underwater litterpick for EUSAC divers .
Do you run any Skill Development Courses ?
Sadly we do not , we focus purely on the Diver Training Programme ; but it is something we would love to work on with other local BSAC clubs if there ’ s an opportunity . We are always looking for ways to work with local clubs , and by providing free gear rental to our members we are opening up a lot of opportunities for them with local diving companies such as Teign Diving Centre , which offers additional discount on trips .
Where does open-water training take place ?
Our regular training weekends need to take place early in the season , almost always in October and January , to fit in with exam periods , so we often have problems with the weather . Being so near the sea we can easily cancel and pivot to an inland site . A recent very chilly weekend at Cromhall Quay saw 13 new , very hardy Ocean Diver trainees , who refused to back down and reschedule , complete more than 60 per cent all of the lessons planned for the day . A massive thank you to Daniel Montegue ( our ex-club captain from five years ago ) and Kevin Betts ( an OWI who occasionally helps out ) for their help .
What ’ s on the horizon for EUSAC ?
With yet another brand new committee just starting out we have achieved a lot this year ; plenty of local diving in terms one and two , a time when we have previously struggled to get out due to poor weather . Club planning is quite hard because of the frequent changes to the committee , but we want to continue to work with local clubs and give opportunities to our local student divers or potential divers . We hope to raise awareness that Exeter is a great university club to work with . �