The current BSAC Strategy is in its first year; how’ s it progressing?
It’ s going well in some respects, but there’ s still much to do. We’ ve got some really dynamic colleagues, volunteers and HQ staff driving things forward. A key area is obviously the environment, and the Marine Champions initiative recently announced by Katherine Knight, the Chair of BSAC’ s Environmental Committee is an excellent example; but while HQ can support and coordinate, it will only succeed with member engagement.
Another priority is the modernisation of the Diver Training Programme. I am excited by the imminent launch of the‘ deep’ module that follows on from the revisions to Dive Leader. I understand it will be ready for release very shortly. Another priority is revising Advanced Diver, with the opportunity to establish it as an expedition-focused qualification. BSAC remains committed to equipping our members to lead adventurous expeditions while diving safely.
An incredible amount of effort has gone into establishing the new member platform, powered by Sport 80. It’ s been a mammoth undertaking by HQ staff and they’ re still working hard to get members confident in its use. There are clearly some areas that need further development, and member feedback has been valuable in that regard, so we’ ll see it continuously improve. Once it’ s bedded in, there’ s some real promise for helping branches self-manage, at the same time freeing up our HQ team to focus on the club’ s strategic goals.
Who has inspired you in the diving world?
Friends with whom I still dive. Ernie Dewhirst is the one First Class Diver in our branch and a very experienced instructor from whom I have learned a huge amount. In fact, I’ ve just come back a trip with him to Conception Bay in Canada with 10 other divers. There’ s also Vale Royal’ s Chair, Steve Hopper – we still dive together. I should also mention someone who is no longer with us, Dave George, who was truly inspirational in so many ways. He instructed with a gentleness and a deftness, which meant that any feedback never caused you to feel embarrassed. It just made you to want to do better. I know I’ m not always successful in channelling his style, but it’ s an approach I have always admired.
Andy on a safety stop off Stallion Rock, Loch Fyne
In your personal statement for the BSAC Election you described the present time as a“ crucial point in our history”. What did you mean?
HQ is supporting a smaller member community than we’ ve had for several decades. We have to ensure we are delivering real value to our members, and doing so efficiently and effectively. BSAC must also build up its financial reserves so that we can both invest in the future, and weather whatever future upheavals an unpredictable world may throw at us.
Does BSAC have to change?
Yes, I believe so. When I speak to people in responsible roles in many different other sporting, member-based organisations, they tell a story very similar to our own, which is that the peak years of membership are in the distant past.
Many younger members of society are looking to experience diving, but not necessarily to commit to being members for a prolonged period of time- they are seeking and are expecting a more transactional relationship.
How does BSAC nurture and support those that do wish to experience membership, whilst providing an offer attractive to those who wish to engage on more individual terms? It’ s a conversation
that we need to have to navigate the realities of society changing around us. BSAC is no more immune to societal changes than any other organisation.
What changes have you seen in the diving world since you first became involved?
Inevitably, there are more CCRs( closed circuit rebreathers). I regularly instruct in Stoney Cove and the abundance of CCR courses is very noticeable.
The other major development has been in side-mount configurations. In our branch, we had one side-mount diver about nine years ago, and now our twin-set divers have gone over to side-mount. It provides many benefits including modularity, flexibility, reduces the weight on the back and for RIB diving facilitates efficient kit loading. I am delighted that BSAC will shortly be launching a dedicated side-mount course for members.
How can BSAC continue to remain at the heart of diving and snorkelling culture?
Our offer has to be relevant, we must both stay close to the needs of our existing members and understand the expectations of those who want to leant with the very best but for whom membership may not be attractive. We must also stay close to how
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