Learn to Dive

Try Diving

Whether you are new and curious about diving or looking for a new club to join, we'd love to hear from you!

For new divers we offer a £20 try dive session. Please contact us to arrange a try dive to ensure that an instructor is available. This is an hour long session in the pool with an instructor who shows you the basics. You’ll always remember the first time breathing under water. If you join the club after, you'll be refunded the cost of the try dive.

For questions about joining or coming to meet us, please contact the membership secretary.

What does a try dive involve?

We provide all the equipment you need. All you'll need to bring is your usual swimming gear, a towel and an old t-shirt as the pool can be a bit cold and it's more comfortable on your back when wearing the scuba gear.

All of our pool sessions are from 8:30pm to 9:30pm on Monday evenings (please be changed and pool side by 8:15 to enter the pool in good time). One of our instructors will go through the basics of scuba, with an introduction to the scuba kit and how it works and proceed with a short lesson under water - if you enjoy the experience of weightlessness and the ability to breathe under water and can't wait to learn more, then talk to us about membership.

Learn to Dive With Us

What does training involve?

Your training will include a combination of lectures, pool sessions and open water sessions (usually at an inland site such as Stoney Cove in Leicestershire or Vobster near Bath) and a theory exam.

The BSAC website has more information about all the diver grades.

The club will loan equipment to you throughout your training. We recommend that you purchase the minimum of a mask, fins and snorkel to begin with, and your own weight belt together with weights when you begin open water diving. You can buy or hire the rest, but will be expected to gradually buy most of the essential kit over the first year or two. Buying new can be expensive, but there are always dive members willing to sell off second hand gear as they 'trade up'.

Where do I start?

For questions about joining or coming to meet us, please contact the membership secretary.

Alternatively you can approach us on Monday evenings at the pool (8:30-9:30 pm) or the Approach Tavern (9:30pm onwards). We will arrange a try dive for you if you have never dived before. If you are a qualified diver we will be more than happy to welcome you to the club and discuss the benefits of membership.

How fit should I be?

You need to be able to swim and be reasonably fit. For a try dive you first need to contact us to ensure that an instructor is available to take you in the water. You also need to fill out the try dive disclaimer.

To become a member of the club and BSAC you will need to fill out a medical form. If you have asthma or something else that you answered yes to, you will need get a medical certificate that you are fit to dive with a qualified doctor. This normally costs around £100 depending on where you go.

What is BSAC?

BSAC is the British Sub-Aqua Club. As a member of HSAC, you automatically join BSAC, the biggest dive club in the world. The difference between BSAC and PADI is that with BSAC you join a club environment and train at a pace that suits you. You are led through the various stages of training and go on dive trips that the club organises. Both qualifications are universally recognised. Your PADI qualifications are recognised by BSAC. For further details on BSAC visit their website.