How do i continue with diving when i'm back in the UK

[Muzzman]

I really, really enjoy diving, i do. I've been diving abroad on and off for a few years, Cook Islands, Brazil, Cuba, Maldives, Bonaire and Sri Lanka are the places that immediately spring to mind, and just this week the Philippines. I haven't got hundreds under my belt but 40 or so by now

What makes me want to do it even more is it's a struggle, i have some problems with my ears but i seem to have managed to sort myself out by getting better at the process of equalising and drugs

The thing is i'm two months into my round the world trip and i'm going to be doing a lot of diving in hopefully some pretty amazing places, i'd love this to be something i can continue doing in the future.

I've got no real interest in diving for a living, it seems far too hard a life for me, but i'd love to continue in the UK.

A few years ago i returned from holiday and joined the local BSAC club, what can i say i just didn't enjoy it, we met every week in a draughty local hall and a lot of people twice my age discussed who went the deepest and had the most tanks over a pint of best bitter. After six weeks or so and one visit to the local pool i left, it just wasn't for me.

So how does one continue enjoying this hobby in the UK or will it just be a once a year holiday thing for me. I have no problem with learning to use a dry suite and would love to give Scapa Flow a go, can i turn up with my PADI qualifications, spend a week up there, learn how to use a dry suite and go diving?

 

[Adrian Kelland]

Phew, lot of questions there Muzzman.

I'll start at the end though. I really recommend that you don't just turn up in Scapa Flow on your own and expect to be able to run through a quick use of the drysuit and just go diving. Some of the diving is challenging, plus getting there is a fair way, so it's better to be ready to get the best of a trip there.

You don't say where in the UK you will be, but there are good and bad clubs all over the UK. BSAC, SAA, ScotSAC and PADI. It sounds like you need to get a bit of UK dive mentoring. You may find more prospective buddies on some of the UK dive forums - our presence is not huge on ScubaBoard.

When it's good, UK diving can be very good. When the vis is poor, it can be hard for some to adjust to a different way of thinking and carrying out a dive.

Nowt wrong with decent real ale though.

Adrian

 

[DevonDiver]

A few years ago i returned from holiday and joined the local BSAC club, what can i say i just didn't enjoy it, we met every week in a draughty local hall and a lot of people twice my age discussed who went the deepest and had the most tanks over a pint of best bitter. After six weeks or so and one visit to the local pool i left, it just wasn't for me.

Each BSAC club has a different 'character' - so it's worth investigating alternatives, if any are within a reasonable distance. Some can be cliquey, some can be tech/wreck/advanced diving orientated.... some can be inclusive and focused on training/developing noobies...some are active locally, some focus on overseas trips... some are just drinking clubs... etc etc.

Like-attracts-like... so clubs tend to form around a group of like-minded individuals who share common passions/goals. If you don't share those, then you won't find that club appealing. Bear in mind, BSAC clubs are created by the members - not created by the 'agency' as a service to others...

So how does one continue enjoying this hobby in the UK or will it just be a once a year holiday thing for me.

In addition to BSAC, there are many PADI dive centers in the UK. Whilst focused on providing tuition, many often have a diving club attached - arranging local trips, assisting with buddy-finding and also running club trips/holidays overseas. They're also worth investigating.

Also, you'll find that there are many 'informal' groups of divers that plan and arrange trips etc. Network amongst your local diving community, make friends... see what happens. It normally doesn't take too long to meet a kindred spirit/s.

I have no problem with learning to use a dry suite and would love to give Scapa Flow a go, can i turn up with my PADI qualifications, spend a week up there, learn how to use a dry suite and go diving?

I would recommend becoming trained and experienced with drysuit use (along with deep and wreck diving techniques) long before you venture up to Orkney. The dives are relatively demanding, and not suited to experiential diving.

There plenty of PADI centers around the UK - all will be able to provide you with a drysuit course. You don't say where you're located in the UK? Let us know, and we can help with recommendations.

Before you go to Scapa.... practice on some local wrecks... get down to the South Coast.... Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. There's wrecks a-plenty and most aren't demanding to dive. Plenty of decent dive centers down there, who'll assist you with the logistics, training and organisation.

Look into the 'inland' centers also... Stoney Cove, Chepstow, Vobster etc etc. These are great when the weather is inclement... and also a good place to meet new people and make friends. Most have a co-located dive center and will do training, equipment hire, gas fills on-site etc...

Once you've found some fellow divers, it's easy to arrange diving. There's hundreds of great charter boats around the coast. There are no divemasters... these are site shuttles/taxi's only. You need to go with a buddy (or hope to get paired with one on arrival). This sort of diving really boosts your skills and experience - no more following the herd behind a 'responsible supervisor'... you do it for yourself..

 

[Redshift]

Diving in the UK is not that hard

There may be other clubs around the area and if one doesn't suit you, approach other. Or, find a smaller group inside that club with whom you'd get along better.
But it's not necessary to be part of a BSAC club. As it has been said, there are diving centres just like in other parts of the world. You just need to book a dive and go. And you don't even need a drysuit all the time. A good wetsuit will be enough in the south during the Summer.

For the rest of the year and Scapa, definitely a drysuit and some other courses and UK diving experience. And getting that training can be a good opportunity to meet people.

 

[RichWilx]

There plenty of PADI centers around the UK - all will be able to provide you with a drysuit course. You don't say where you're located in the UK? Let us know, and we can help with recommendations.

I'll second that. I am a PADI AOW diver who learned in warmer waters. When I decided I wanted to dive in the UK, I found a great club in Kent (Diving Unlimited) and ran through the basic PADI specialisations for UK diving: Dry Suit, Deep, Wreck. Aside from the training (which we have been doing at Stoney Cove) I have been able to go on some club dives off Newhaven and will soon be off to the Farne Islands to drop in on some seals.

As for the future, well, I suspect that my fledgling love of wrecks will push me towards deeper and longer dives and inevitably I'll move towards some Tech type diving.... we'll see.

 

[Muzzman]

Hi Chaps,

Thanks for the detailed responses

Sorry i've kinda got all wrapped up in diving abroad, and haven't revisited this, kinda rude seeing i asked all the questions and you were all kind enough to answer

It's certainly given me something to think about, i'm going to have to approach this differently and research a bit more what i'm looking for. I think a holiday down to the south coast could be called for after a number of phone calls. I think i just assumed British Diving = BSAC, i never entertained the fact you could arrange it much in the same way as you do abroad e.g going straight to an operator.

I've really got the bug now. The thought of diving some of the wrecks we've got is really exciting. Are there many that are at reasonable depths, i've got my PADI AOW and deep water specialty.

I've been scanning the t'interweb and came across a site off the Isle of Man that sounds interesting.

I'm based in Essex, any recommendations would be gratefully received and i do like a nice ale!!

Again i apologies for not returning to this post