BRANCHES UKDIVING + CENTRES
Centres Forward
Bude ’ s Referral Scheme
Mark Paisey reports on a new partnership between Bude Sub Aqua Club and its local training centres
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
26
Bude SAC have taken an innovative approach to their Ocean Diver training in 2022 . They call it the Ocean Diver Referral Scheme , and it takes a modular approach to new member training . The branch delivers the theory and pool lessons ‘ in-house ’ and then supports the trainee in planning the open water lessons .
This could be while on a club trip to Malta , away on holiday via a BSAC Centre or with a local BSAC Centre such as Sandford & Down in Plymouth , or Harlyn Dive School in Rock . Andy Squirrell , Bude ’ s Secretary , explains : “ We decided on the referral approach because we are aware that we struggle with the North Cornish weather to complete training in a short , timely manner . Delivering part of the course inhouse and outsourcing part of it makes it cheaper for our members .”
The club has supported this approach by reducing their branch membership fees by 50 % to offset the commercial costs to trainees . While a full Ocean Diver course at a commercial centre costs around £ 450 , this approach reduces the cost to around £ 175 plus the branch (£ 115 ) and BSAC fees .
“ We have four trainees lined up for this route ,” with a couple more , happy to join in ,” says Andy . “ We are also offering this model to other branches and via the South West Regional Facebook page . The whole idea is to work with the learner , adapt to what they want and either tie up locally , on a club trip or on their next trip to a preferred destination .” �
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