CLUBFOCUS
LOCATION : North West London
MEMBERSHIP FEE : £ 140 plus BSAC
CONTACT : k 0208 297 0699
j www . esac . org . uk
Sports Diver training at Highgrove Pool .
During its first half-century , this active yet land-locked branch has kept up its RIB diving , despite most dive trips involving at least an 80-mile journey to the coast . The diving that members do is celebrated in the club ’ s annual awards including the Biggest Bottom ( Time ) award . The Biglin award , named after a previous member , is awarded each year to the member who has contributed to the club most . Membership remains healthy at this sizeable club and hopefully recruitment will resume following the hiatus caused by Covid .
Tell us about the club ’ s history
2022 is our 50th anniversary . The club was formed in 1972 as Ealing Sub Aqua Club . In those days , members did a lot of diving using the club inflatables , hence boat handling , seamanship and chartwork were an essential part of the club ethos . Week or long-weekend trips in caravan parks made for mini breaks for the entire family and the days away were a big part of the fun
Diver selfie with Steve alongside the diving . In 2012 , the pool the club used in Ealing was closed and the club moved patch to Ruislip and Eastcote , in north-west London , and became known as Eastcote Sub Aqua Club .
Where do you meet ?
We train at Highgrove Pool , one of few pools in the area that offers three-metre deep water , and we meet socially in a local pub .
Who are your members ?
Our club comprises a wide mix of people ; individuals , families who learned to dive with the club and stayed with us , and a few diving couples . The majority live locally to the pool , but a good number live up to a 30-minute drive away in every direction .
Is membership growing ?
Since 2015 , membership has doubled . In 2019 and 2020 , we had 10 trainees starting in January of each year . Sadly , Covid brought our recruitment and training to a halt . Despite Covid , in 2021 we managed to qualify five Ocean Divers and three Sports Divers . We even recruited some Ocean Diver trainees last year .
How many members are there ?
Sixty-two , including five with honorary lifemember status because of the services they have given over the years . Members tend
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