BRANCHES + CENTRES
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Centres Forward
Introducing a new regular page devoted to active BSAC Centres and their work in partnership with local clubs . This month : Dive Crew of Berkshire teams up with Imperial College Underwater Club
Knowledgeable , responsive , encouraging , affable , and very approachable ’, are the words of newly qualified Ocean Diver Riya Gujarathi , describing the summer training programme by Dive Crew on behalf of Imperial College Underwater Club ( ICUC ).
Following on from a wearying succession of lockdowns , ICUC found itself with more keen trainees than available instructors , and decided to do things differently this summer .
Prompted by an advertisement from the BSAC Southern Coach , the club reached out to Dive Crew , based in Crowthorne , Berkshire , which was more than happy to get involved in training the would-be Ocean Divers .
The course was tailored for ICUC ’ s requirements , as the students had handled their pool training back in 2019 . So , the plan was simply to provide a refresher pool day and then steam through the training .
Crucially , the course was priced within the students ’ budgets . Dive Crew completed all the training in drysuits , meaning the students walked away from the course suitably prepared to join in their ICUC ’ s trips , in which drysuits are standard .
Two sets of courses were jointly run between ICUC and Dive Crew . Ocean Diver training took place at Wraysbury , Middlesex over successive weekends , while Sports Diver training was completed at St Andrew ’ s Lakes in Kent . Both sites were chosen due to their proximity and ease of access for London-based divers .
“ Dive Crew were very accommodating to our requirements ,” Riya says . “ Our trainees have given positive testimonies and we are glad to have completed the course with Dive Crew . From kitting up on day one , they were always present and helpful . They created a safe environment for training and the teaching was personalised , which allowed us to develop the skills at our own pace and feel confident about them . It was very assuring , and I now feel confident to dive recreationally .”
“ ICUC looks forward to diving in the future , with both the new trainees as well as the team at Dive Crew .” �
Branch + Centre Partnership Scheme explained
Designed to support branches with their training , the model is that new members join your branch , train at the centre , then return to your branch as qualified divers .
Benefits to branches :
• There ’ s no cost to enter , and you can withdraw at any time
• The scheme enables BSAC clubs to take on more new members , year-round
• It assists with resource challenges , such as lack of instructors , or pool access
• The partnership supports and cements relations with local BSAC dive centres More information and benefits at bsac . com / PartnershipScheme
PARTNERSHIP CENTRES
ANDARK DIVING AND WATERSPORTS 256 Bridge Road , Lower Swawick , Southampton , Hampshire SO31 7FL • 01489 581755 andy @ andark . co . uk • www . andark . co . uk
DIVECREW Brookers Corner , Crowthorne , Berkshire RG45 6ST 01344 771113 • info @ divecrew . co . uk www . divecrew . co . uk
DM SCUBA Filton leisure Centre , Elm Park , Fiton , Gloucestershire BS34 7PS • 01172 141554 • mark . taylor @ mte . uk . com www . dm-scuba . co . uk
DV DIVING 138 Mt Stewart Rd , Carrowdore , Newtownards , BT22 2ES dvdiving . co . uk
ROBIN HOOD WATERSPORTS 152 Leeds Road , Heckmondwike , West Yorkshire WF16 9BJ • 01924 444888 • sales @ roho . co . uk www . roho . co . uk
SANDFORD AND DOWN 24 Pier Street , West Hoe , Plymouth , Devon PL1 3BT 01752 266248 • dive @ sandfordanddown . co . uk www . divesubsea . co . uk
SCUBATS 19 / M Winchester Avenue , Denny , Falkirk , Stirlingshire , Scotland FK6 6QE 07449669494 • scubat2017 @ gmail . com www . scubats . co . uk
STONEY COVE Sapcote Road , Stoney Stanton , Leicester LE9 4DW 01455 273089 • diving @ stoneycove . com www . stoneycove . com
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