SCUBAHUB
Learning to dive during Covid
WITH LATEST LOCKDOWN PREVENTING face-to-face training , many clubs are taking advantage of BSAC ’ s eLearning platform to support their Ocean Diver trainees to virtually work through the course ’ s theory .
To inspire current trainees to keep looking forward to when they can finally get to train in open water , SCUBA speaks to 25-year-old Becky Townend , a member of Lancashire-based Lunesdale SAC , who completed her Ocean Diver during last year ’ s first lockdown .
Becky ’ s story
“ I am an ex-competitive swimmer and have worked as a lifeguard , swimming teacher , and in swimming pool management , so my life revolves around water . However , I had always wanted to learn to dive so when Lunesdale SAC started using Hornby Swimming Pool after its refurbishment , it was the perfect opportunity .
I had a try dive at the end of 2019 with Lunesdale ’ s Diving Officer , Rob Whittacker and decided to book on their Ocean Diver course planned for the New Year . Then Covid struck , and the course was put on hold .
Then one of the club ’ s instructors , Alf Yates , called to ask if I would like to do the theory side of Ocean Diver through the new BSAC eLearning , which I thought was a brilliant idea . I could do everything at my own pace , take my time on anything I didn ’ t understand , and it also helped to relieve the boredom of lockdown . And Alf was brilliant ; if
I didn ’ t understand something , he was on the phone straight away to explain ; nothing was too much trouble .
As we had to wait for the swimming pools to re-open after the first lockdown , our pool sessions didn ’ t start until the September . However , I joined another Ocean Diver trainee , Sarah Mulliner , at Rob ’ s house , where we were sorted out with kit , and had the chance to chat about what would happen next . It started to make me feel part of the club .
Eventually , we got into the pool , where we worked around the challenges of Covid – for example , we couldn ’ t test each other ’ s octopus during the buddy checks , so we tested our own . Rob ’ s wife Marie was also on hand with disinfectant at our pool sessions to ensure everything was Covid-safe , which was really reassuring .
It was also so nice to get out and socialise again – socially distanced of course – and hearing other club members tell stories of past dives and dive holidays just made me even keener to qualify .
Our open water sessions came in October . I know Capernwray well , as I go open water swimming there and I was keen to see what was under the water that I hadn ’ t seen from the surface .
Despite the rule of six restricting the number of people who could gather together , I was still made to feel part of the club . I was
“ Until this point , I hadn ’ t quite realised how much Covid was affecting my life ”
paired with Nigel Watson , and although I was nervous , I needn ’ t have worried , and I came out feeling great .
However , on one of my training dives , I had a small blip as my drysuit leaked , I was cold , and I felt restricted by all my kit . It was also costing me every time I went to Capernwray , I hadn ’ t worked for most of the year , so money was also weighing on my mind . Rob took me to one side to make sure I was ok . Until this point , I hadn ’ t quite realised how much Covid was affecting my life , and I couldn ’ t have asked for a better group of people ; without them , I probably would have given in .
Both Sarah and I completed our open water sessions to become Ocean Divers just before the second lockdown in November , so we have yet to dive as qualified divers . But I can ’ t wait to get back diving with the club as soon as we are allowed to keep progressing .
If there is anything last year has taught me , it ’ s that life is too short , and you never know what is around the corner . We lost our Diving Officer , Rob , suddenly just before Christmas at only 47 . Rob truly was an inspiration and helped me so much during my training , and I hope I can make him proud with my diving journey .
I ’ d also like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Lunesdale SAC who played a part in helping Sarah and I qualify as Ocean Divers during Covid . It meant that 2020 wasn ’ t all bad and I can ’ t wait for what my diving future holds .”
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