CLUBFOCUS
Today ’ s members celebrate at Kimmeridge
Bedford Sub Aqua Club
LOCATION : Bedford , Bedfordshire
MEMBERSHIP FEE : £ 90 (£ 45 junior ) plus BSAC
Kristina Pedder meets an inland dive club that places a premium on inclusivity and being family-friendly . It ’ s time for BedSAC .
Founded in 1960 , Bedford Sub Aqua Club enjoyed a long period of success with more than 100 members . Some members from the early years still get together regularly and never miss the Christmas Party but , like many clubs , member numbers have gradually declined . By the early 2000s , BedSAC ’ s active core of divers was succumbing to age , health issues , moving away or developing new interests .
In 2016 , the committee recognised that with a lack of members and very low income BedSAC might have to close . Decisions had to be taken but were not universally popular : the boat , which needed repair , was sold and a new committee was elected to make a start on change . Then the club made it happen and , from this second beginning , a strong , family-friendly club has emerged .
Where is the club based ?
Bedford is in the east of England , on the river Great Ouse , and feels about as far away from the sea as possible in any direction .
Where do you meet ?
We meet on a Wednesday evening at Bedford School swimming pool . The Bedford Rowing Club bar is our social centre . Sadly , both venues have been closed since March 2020 and [ in June 2021 ] had yet to re-open , so last year , meetings and training moved online . We hope this will change soon .
28 As they were – members in 1975