SCUBAHUB
Marvellous milestones:
Club anniversaries 2025
Mid-Lancashire SAC
Guisley SAC
University of Nottingham SAC
Amersham SAC
White Dolphins
Flintshire SAC
Reading SAC
Kingston & Elmbridge SAC
2025 IS SET TO BE A BUMPER YEAR FOR significant‘ birthdays’, with a total of 54 BSAC clubs preparing to celebrate an important milestone. To celebrate, a selection of our 2025 birthday clubs tell SCUBA what they have planned to mark their own special anniversary.
20 YEARS
Mid-Lancashire SAC
Formed: 1 October 2005 Current membership: 26 Based in Wigan, Mid-Lancs was the first BSAC club to be awarded the Clubmark standard by Sport England. They are also proud to say they have extensive club kit, making it easier( and cheaper) for new members to learn to dive. They will be marking their 20th anniversary by diving 20 sites that spell out‘ Mid Lancs Sub Aqua Club’, starting with Coniston.“ Ideas for the sites range from The Akka to the M2, from the Breda to the Norman Courts,” said Chair Dave Maloney.
25 YEARS
Guisley SAC
Formed: 2000 Current membership: 30 Originally Airborough Sub Aqua, the club changed its name to Guisley 10 years ago. Based near Leeds, the club believes its location-“ a good distance from two coasts and easy access to Scottish diving” – is what makes diving with Guisley SAC special.
A trip to Malta is being planned to celebrate the club’ s 25th anniversary, as well as a club social event.
50 YEARS
University of Nottingham SAC
Formed: 1975 Current membership: 77 Also known as UoNSAC, this university club has a mixed membership of current students and past alumni, with a focus on introducing more new divers to the adventure of UK diving. This year, all UoNSAC’ s club trips will have a 50th flavour, with their half century celebrations culminating in a big social this summer. Any past members are positively encouraged to come along!
Amersham SAC
Formed: January 1975 Current membership: 65 A super-sociable club, Buckinghamshire’ s Amersham SAC is described by membership secretary John O’ Hanlon as a group of friends that enjoy diving together.“ As long as they are safe and share our passion, they will always be welcome!” A challenge to dive at 50 dive sites is already underway to mark Amersham’ s Golden anniversary, as well as plans for an extra-special summer BBQ.
Wight Dolphins
Formed: 24 September 1975 Current membership: 53 The Isle of Wight location is what members believe makes Wight Dolphins extra special, as well as, says club media officer Gary Fletcher, the“ banter, camaraderie and people who are fun to be with”. Dive trips to Palau, Sardinia and Cancun are planned for Wight Dolphins’ 50th year, as well as a golden anniversary social event.
60 YEARS
Flintshire SAC
Formed: 1965 Current membership: 50 Based in North Wales, Flintshire SAC has easy access to some of the best diving in the north west, including Anglesey, Liverpool Bay and the Llyn peninsula. They are also part of the Annual Menai Boat Run, raising funds for the RNLI. The club is looking to use their 60th year to futureproof their club for the next 60, including using the skills of some tech savvy members to improve their communications and social media.
70 YEARS
Reading SAC
Formed: 1955 Current membership: 74 Founded in 1953, Reading SAC joined BSAC two years later, becoming the active club it is today. With its own club premises, Reading SAC members are proud of the club’ s facilities, including their own bar, training room, workshop, and boat store. With a full club training and diving programme for 2025, Reading SAC is also planning on a special 70th celebration later in the year.
Kingston & Elmbridge SAC
Formed: 15 February 1955 Current membership: 112 Kingston & Elmbridge SAC built their own clubhouse in Tolworth, seven miles from their original site. With a healthy membership, the club is also proud that over 20 % are new members, all thanks to their hardworking recruitment and training team. To mark their 70th, the club has a year of events planned, including talks, trips and socials. They are also planning to put 70 divers on the Swanage wreck, the Kyrra, which the club discovered in the 1960s and are its official owners.
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