BRANCHES UKDIVING + CENTRES
Centres Forward
Diving ambitions
Mark Paisey tells the story of an Ocean Diver who finally fulfilled her dreams with the help of a centre + club team-up
Sharon Caldwell grew up in Plymouth and learning to dive was on her bucket list , but finance and children had until recently prevented her fulfilling the dream .
“ It was now or never , a time to do something for me ,” said Sharon . ‘ I had a Try Dive with a PADI school in Worcester and enjoyed it but the school closed so I approached Worcester BSAC , who couldn ’ t start me until the Autumn .
“ They mentioned the Centre + Branch Partnership and this seemed perfect . The scheme sent me to SevernTec in Shrewsbury , where Instructor Kevin Murphy was brilliant . His passion and enthusiasm for diving came through and he wanted me to be the best I could be .
“ The tuition had an instructor-student ratio of 1:1 , then 2:1 in open water ; it was like having stabilisers with a pair of instructors looking after me . Diving in Ecclestone Delph was when the reality of diving was brought home ; the low visibility meant I had to be confident to navigate any difficulties underwater and instinctively know what to do .”
So , what did Sharon enjoy most about her learning experience ? She enjoys meeting new people and exploring her new enthusiasm , but most important is the empowering feeling of knowing she can look after herself ( and her buddy ) underwater . “ It ’ s an amazing and emotional feeling ,” she says .
Next , Sharon is going on a Welsh diving weekend with SevernTec and then joining Worcester BSAC to continue her scuba journey . “ Diving may not be the cheapest hobby in the world , but if it ’ s your passion you can get so much satisfaction from it ,” she says .
Sharon is already a staunch advocate of British diving . “ Learning to dive has opened up a whole new world ... there are amazing things on our doorstep and there ’ s no need to travel the world to find them . I have fulfilled a dream of 40 years and would urge others to learn scuba diving . Everyone is really welcoming ; you will make new friends and do some amazing things .” �
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
DIVEWORLD Sheffield , South Yorkshire S6 4JR 01142 332995 • www . learn2dive . co . uk • info @ learn2dive . co . uk
DM SCUBA TRAINING 07920 556116 • dmscuba @ hotmail . com • www . dm-scuba . co . uk
DV DIVING 138 Mt Stewart Rd , Carrowdore , Newtownards , T22 2ES dvdiving . co . uk
HARLYN DIVE SCHOOL Unit 7 , Pityme Industrial Estate , Rock , Wadebridge PL27 6NS 01208 862556 • info @ harlyndiveschool . co . uk • harlyndiveschool . co . uk
OCEAN DIVING Basingstoke , Hampshire 07854 554809 • bsac @ oceanturtlediving . com
ROBIN HOOD WATERSPORTS 152 Leeds Road , Heckmondwike , West Yorkshire WF16 9BJ 01924 444888 • sales @ roho . co . uk • www . roho . co . uk
SANDFORD & DOWN 24 Pier Street , West Hoe , Plymouth , Devon PL1 3BT 01752 266248 • dive @ sandfordanddown . co . uk • www . divesubsea . co . uk
SCUBA SCHOOL Studley , Warwickshire 01527 852555 • www . scubaschool . org . uk • darren @ scubaschool . org . uk
SCUBA WALES Neath , West Glamorgan 07794 452192 • www . scuba . wales • scubawales @ outlook . com
SCUBATS 19 / M Winchester Avenue , Denny , Falkirk , Stirlingshire , Scotland FK6 6QE 07449669494 • scubat2017 @ gmail . com • www . scubats . co . uk
SEVERNTEC DIVING Leaton Industrial Estate , Shrewsbury Shropshire SY4 3AP 01939 291303 • severntecdiving @ gmail . com
ST ABBS CHARTERS : St Abbs Harbour , St Abbs , Scotland TD14 5PW 07802 864870 • info @ stabbscharters . com • stabbscharters . com
STONEY COVE Sapcote Road , Stoney Stanton , Leicester LE9 4DW 01455 273089 • diving @ stoneycove . com • www . stoneycove . com
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