A diver, staunch club committee member and a mentor, Sandra Castro talks about her volunteering journey. Interview by Kristina Pedder
Sands dives the Sound of Mull
FACTFILE
Name: Sandra‘ Sands’ Castro
Job titles: Secretary, Lothian Divers; Instructor Training Scheme staffer and mentor
First dive: 1990
Sands Castro’ s enthusiasm for diving, and everything associated with the sport, seems irrepressible. A BSAC First Class Diver and National Instructor from North Berwick in East Lothian, Scotland, Sands tells me she’ s a member of not one but three branches in the Edinburgh area. Let’ s shout out to them all, I say: A big hello to Lothian Divers, Divetech and South Queensferry.
As Club Secretary at Lothian Divers, Sands writes the minutes of the meetings, but the whole committee, from Diving Officer to ordinary members, contribute to the running of the club. She’ s not a committee member for Divetech or South Queensferry; there she helps out with training and organises dive trips. The three branches often contact each other about spaces on dive trips or training courses, and many of the members also belong to more than one of these branches.
“ When I qualified,” Sands says,“ I never expected to still be diving 35 years later. I have made so many friends and been to so many amazing places in the UK and abroad that I would never have travelled
VOLUNTEERLIFE to if it hadn’ t been for my hobby.”
Sun, sea and Sands
A diver, staunch club committee member and a mentor, Sandra Castro talks about her volunteering journey. Interview by Kristina Pedder
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Colonsay expedition with Lothian Divers on Sands’ RIB, Go Forth
TEACHINGTIP
When I teach, I make sure to
“ explain to the students why they need to be able to do a particular skill or know that information relative to diving. I believe this helps them understand and learn better. For example, why do we teach about the structure of the ears? To explain why we need to clear our ears as we descend to avoid a burst ear drum.
”