In the summer of 2022, I decided that I wanted to learn to scuba dive, I had no idea of how to go about this, how long would take, or how much it was going to cost me, but I wanted to do it and so my research began. After being overwhelmed by all of the information on intensive courses offered by different agencies, I concluded that the best first step was to give it a go somewhere and see if I actually enjoyed it first. This brought on my first contact with Street Sub Aqua Club. After contacting the club via their Facebook page, I was invited to a try dive at my local pool two weeks later in August 2022. Little did I know that by November I would be not only an active club member but also a qualified BSAC Ocean diver.
The whole process was made was made incredibly straight forward by the club. I purchased my Ocean diver e-learning pack shortly after my try dive and began working through it from home. Although I was learning from home I was constantly reassured that with a quick message to one of the instructors, any questions I had would be answered. This was a huge accolade to the club and its members and really showed not only their passion for diving but also for teaching. I attended the pool once every two weeks to complete the practical sessions included in the course, initially borrowing club kit for a small fee, and eventually using my own as my shed seemed to get smaller and smaller.
In November 2022 I took my first dip into the cold water of Vobster quarry. I was very nervous leading up to the weekend but once I was there I just couldn’t wait to jump in and put all of the skills I had learned into practice. Over the weekend I completed 6 dives to maximum depth of 20m with the help of three instructors. By the Sunday afternoon I was a qualified dry suit diver and my journey had really begun.
Since completing my Ocean diver qualification I have continued learning a developing my skills with the help of the club, partaking in multiple sea dives from the club rib, learning to operate the compressor, to dive using nitrox and by the end of 2023 becoming a sports diver qualified to dive on a twinset. I have also been given the opportunity to play my own part in the club by taking on the role of training officer, allowing me to guide other people through their own diving journeys.
Both the sport and the club have become a huge part of my life since that try dive in the summer of 2022. I have made many friends and have done things I never thought I would have the opportunity to do. I would recommend that anyone thinking of taking up a new hobby should give diving a go, and I personally believe that contacting your local BSAC club is by far the best way to do this.
