Benefit of the Month
Online videos
- webinars and how-tos
DESPITE SOME MIXED WEATHER, summer 2025 will go down as a good year for UK diving, with fantastic reports of good viz, calm seas, sweltering temperatures, and plenty of dives to remember. So, it’ s easy to get a little disheartened now it’ s autumn, and your drysuit is finally tucked away in its winter hideout.
However, the arrival of the darker evenings is also an opportunity to brush up on your diving knowledge and skills during the winter downtime. And what better way than with BSAC’ s online library of free online webinars, videos and tutorials designed to support members’ individual diving or snorkelling plans for next year.
Launched during Covid, BSAC’ s webinars and how-to videos remain an invaluable – and free- resource. The online library includes:
PHOTO: DAN BOLT PHOTO: TONY REED
First in Wide-angle
First in compact
Dan Bolt dominates Torbay Splash-in
PHOTO: JANE TANASA
First in Beginner
‘ How-to’ skills videos: ideal for fine-tuning specific skills such as first aid, dive planning and kit care in the comfort of your own home.
Special interest webinars: instructors and members have shared their knowledge and experience in a range of special interest videos. Topics covered include immersion pulmonary oedema( IPO), human factors in diving, mental health and marine conservation.
Wreck Guides: from UK favourites to lesser-known sites, BSAC members share their knowledge of some of their favourite wrecks.
So, as the dark nights draw in, now is the time to log on to bsac. com / onlinelearning and get ready for the 2026 diving season!
16
THE WINNERS OF THIS YEAR’ S TORBAY BSAC Splash-In underwater photography competition have been announced, with diver Dan Bolt scooping three of the top awards.
Fourteen photographers submitted a total of 50 images following a full day of underwater photography in and around the South Devon coastline. Held on 13 September, there were four categories
First in Close-up
PHOTO: DAN BOLT
- Beginner, Compact Camera, Macro and Wide-angle – as well as the overall popular vote, chosen by attendees of the after-event dinner.
The Splash-In is organised by Torbay BSAC and is open to divers and snorkellers from across the South West Region. All photos have to be taken on the day with a 19-hour period around the Torbay area.
This year, Peter Rowlands, editor of Underwater Photography magazine, was the judge, who selected Jane Tanasa( Beginner – sponsored by O’ Three), Tony Reed( Compact) and Dan Bolt( Wide-angle and Close-up) as this year’ s category winners. Meanwhile, Dan Bolt’ s delightful image of two shannies was chosen as the People’ s Choice top vote.
Plans are now underway for next year’ s Torbay Splash-In, which will be the competition’ s 10th anniversary. To view all the 2025 winning images go to torbay-bsac. co. uk