UKDIVING
War memorial laid on Valentine tank two television documentaries.“ Even though the project officially ended, we still dive the tanks and lay a wreath on the anniversary of their sinking,” Nick adds.
IPSAC’ s curiosity continued with the‘ Bumps in the Bay’ project, which won the 2021 Duke of Cambridge Scuba Prize. Working alongside Professor Dan Boscence of Royal Holloway University, divers investigated mysterious circular seabed structures identified by sonar off the Purbeck coast. After three years( with a COVID pause in the middle), the team identified and sampled the features— all part of a BSAC-funded initiative through the British Sub-Aqua Jubilee Trust.
That spirit of exploration has since inspired more collaborations: installing eco-moorings at Studland Bay, monitoring protected wrecks, and partnering with the National Lobster Hatchery to learn lobster-release techniques for restocking local populations.
What really counts
Every Wednesday night, Swanage Pier becomes a hive of activity. Some members head out on RIBs to local wrecks, while others— particularly the photographers— dive under the Pier itself.“ It’ s not unusual to have 15 divers in the water on a club night,” says Paul.“ And once a month, we run a subsidised hardboat dive from one of the local operators.”
With one of the lowest membership fees in the country, IPSAC welcomes divers from near and far— whether they’ re local residents or regular visitors who consider Swanage their spiritual diving home.
The club’ s‘ diving with a purpose’ ethos shows no signs of slowing. Upcoming plans include surveying seagrass beds around the Pier and investigating two lesserknown wrecks off the Purbeck coast. From heritage preservation to marine science, IPSAC continues to prove that diving isn’ t just about what lies beneath— it’ s about community, history, and passion.
Paul sums it up:“ We dive with purpose, we give back to our Pier, and we keep alive the spirit of UK diving that began right here in Swanage.” �
IPSAC club members on a club dive
48