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couldn ’ t do during lockdown or that got cancelled , and plenty of social events such as BBQs , quiz nights and meals out . On training , our policy is to encourage existing members to go down the Assistant Dive Instructor route and then onto Open Water Instructor . We hope to continue to grow steadily .
How will you achieve that growth ?
By continuing to promote the club through our new website , our Facebook page and our presence on the Find Your Activity website , where we advertise try dives and diver training . This is a new platform for us so it ’ s too early to tell whether it ’ s of any benefit yet . We are fortunate to have an unofficial media officer , who is always on hand to take lots of photos and keeps our Facebook page up to date .
Where do you plan to dive ?
Although members live relatively close to the coast and have a lovely RIB , unfortunately the weather and tides seem to rarely coincide to offer the opportunity to dive from our own coast . We will , however , be re-introducing the annual RIB Wash ( the place , not the action ) trip and BBQ . This is used both for fun and training , as it includes chart work and pre-trip planning , RIB launching and navigating . We set off out into the Lincolnshire Wash and as the tide goes out , we moor the RIB up on a sandbank out in the middle called
Confidence-building at Stoney Cove with Assistant Instructor Andy Willis .
Long Sands . After a BBQ , a game or two of rounders , and a seal-watching session we head back to shore once the tide comes in .
That sounds fun ; where do you do most of your diving if not locally ?
Dive organisers put on about 10 one-day trips over the summer , excluding dedicated training days ; five or six weekend or midweek trips to the likes of the Farne Islands , Pembrokeshire , Norfolk , Capenwray , Whitby and Plymouth ; and several week-long trips to destinations such as Lanzarote , Malta , Gozo , Farne Islands , Isles of Scilly and Sharm El-Sheikh . Every few seasons there will be a trip to Mull or Scapa Flow in the mix . Occasionally members are up for a special long-haul adventure ; a trip to Sri Lanka is planned for 2023 . The club occasionally gets asked to help with ropes around props in the local marina , or to reattach securing lines to ski ramps or inflatables at water parks in the surrounding area .
Is it easy to look after your kit ?
The club is fortunate to have a great committee and volunteers who are always willing to lend a hand . There is a savings scheme ( aka The Boat Fund ) that is used to fund the purchase of a new RIB or engine if and when required . The club pays in a set amount to this fund each year so there is always money for a RIB when needed , and our club membership fees also cover kit maintenance and other ancillaries .
How does the club raise funds ?
We have a dedicated Grants and Funding Officer who works hard to source external support . We were blessed with some funding from our local Tesco and Lincolnshire Co-op during 2021 , which was a big help . In more normal times we hold race nights and quiz nights to raise funds .
What are you looking forward to ?
We are lucky , our club has been established for more than 40 years and has some members who have been in the club almost since it first started . We have a good strong membership with plenty of members who are willing to give their time and energy to run the club and we are planning plenty of trips and social events with continued growth . We are looking forward to a bright future .
Heading out on the Wash BBQ trip
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