CLUBFOCUS
What about openwater training ?
In a normal year , this takes place most weekends during the milder months ; less if the weather turns bad , so as to reduce the chance of putting newer members off . Trainees go off to Gildenburgh , Covenham Reservoir or occasionally Stoney Cove to complete their training . Due to limited numbers of instructors , training days are generally attended by two to four trainees , whereas our experience days can cater for six to 12 divers .
Morgan and Isaac examine jellyfish on the Wash BBQ trip
Who are your instructors ?
There are nine Assistant Diving Instructors , five Open Water Instructors ( although two have effectively retired from training ), an Advanced Instructor and a Snorkelling Instructor . We do feel our club would benefit from more Open Water Instructors .
Could BSAC help ?
It would be really helpful if BSAC could run more Skill Development Courses and instructor training events in easier-toreach places . Similarly , it would help if the booking system showed the exact location of courses . For us , a venue described as being ‘ in the West Midlands ’ can be anything from two to four hours away . We often find it difficult to get members to go on courses due to the distances . Our latest Open Water Instructor had to travel to Capernwray to do his course – that ’ s a 400- mile round trip . More accessible locations for courses could encourage more of our members to attend .
What happened at the club during the Covid restrictions ?
Despite the difficulties , Boston SAC managed to continue operating in one form or another . Club night meetings moved online during lockdown with the aid of Zoom with fortnightly quizzes , and online lectures and exams .
… And then ?
Once restrictions eased , we were able to start organising diving and resume training . Four of the seven planned dive trips got off the ground during last season ; the rest were cancelled due to travel restrictions . The majority of our existing members stayed with us , so the club hasn ’ t fared too badly as a whole . In the winter of 2021 / 22 , we managed a steady influx of new members , possibly down to a new website that went live in July 2021 courtesy of the BSAC website offer .
Tell us a bit about setting up the new website …
Like all BSAC clubs , the committee received an email inviting us to take up the offer of a new website . The existing website was looking very dated and wasn ’ t easy to manage so we took up the offer . The provider Kolodo did an excellent job with our new site ; it looks much more professional and is easy to maintain . Kolodo helps to manage the site along with one of our members ; and they are always on hand to assist if needed . Site fees are £ 6 a month and are well worth it . Since the launch of our new site , we ’ ve had a steady influx of new members , so it ’ s clearly working .
What is the club planning for the next few years ?
If circumstances allow , there will be lots of dive trips to make up for the ones we
River rescues and Boat Handling training afternoon
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