SCUBAHUB
Sandwell SAC
– new base , new name
A RENAMED BSAC CLUB HAS MOVED to a spectacular new pool and clubhouse , which is set to transform dive training in the area .
The Sandwell Aquatics Centre , west of Birmingham , was originally built for the 2022 Commonwealth Games . It contains an Olympic-size swimming pool and the only 10-metre diving board with 25 metre pool in the whole of the Midlands . This impressive facility has recently opened to the public and is set to provide community sport for many decades to come .
It is also the new home for a local BSAC club , formerly known as Alpha Divers Sandwell , now known as Sandwell Sub- Aqua Club ( BSAC 1249 ).
The club was previously based at Smethwick Swimming Baths , a once beautiful 1930s art deco venue . However , the pool had been in a state of decay for some time and members were unsure of its future as their club pool .
Fortuitously , a nearby site was chosen
for the building of a pool needed for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games , giving the club a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a new home .
With a new 25m-long , 5m deep pool , the move to the former Commonwealth Games venue means Sandwell SAC can now give even more people the chance to discover the ‘ life aquatic ’.
“ We already have a nice relationship with another group of divers who use the facilities , and once we ’ ve got ourselves established here , we ’ d like to invite other BSAC clubs along on a Wednesday evening to come and use these world-class facilities with us ,” Andy Bessant , Chair at Sandwell Sub-Aqua Club said .
You can watch a video of the opening event at bsac . com / sandwell or scan the QR code
Seascapes – your photos can help climate science
BSAC DIVERS AND SNORKELLERS CAN HELP A PIONEERING project looking at the potential of the ocean as a blue carbon store .
The Convex Seascape Survey aims to explore how the ocean ’ s soft sediment seabed can lock away harmful carbon that is contributing to climate change .
Our seas have an astonishing ability to absorb carbon dioxide at a rate up to four times faster than forests . With over 35 % of man-made carbon emissions absorbed since the industrial era ’ s dawn , this means that the ocean can act as a formidable buffer against climate change .
Spearheaded by the University of Exeter and facilitated by the Blue Marine Foundation , the Convex Seascape Survey is working to compile data that compares disturbed and untouched soft seabed areas . The aim is to use this data to help
“ As citizen scientists you can help make a difference ”
protect and restore soft seabeds in order to boost the ocean ’ s carbon-storing ability .
They need divers to contribute to this vital research by taking photos or video of any soft seabed they find when
out on a dive and submitting it to the project .
Chair of BSAC Council ’ s Environment Sub Committee Jane Maddocks hopes as many BSAC members as possible get involved with the survey .
“ This is a fantastic project , and BSAC is proud to ask its members to support it by sending in their images . If you have any form of underwater camera , then do get involved . As citizen scientists you can help make a difference !” For further information visit the Convex Seascape Survey at www . convexseascapesurvey . com / citizen-science /
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