Learn to Dive
Where do I start
Contact Rob Wilkins, Tel: 07932 663 737, or the membership secretary Richard Clegg Email: richard@richardclegg.org and ask about a Try Dive.
Alternatively you can email one of the committee members listed on our
Contacts page, or you can
approach us at the pool or the Approach Tavern on Monday evenings. 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 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 'self-cert' form; or if you have answered yes to any of the medical questions, you will need to have a medical with a qualified doctor; for which you may have to pay a small fee.
What does a Try Dive involve?
One of our qualified instructors will go through the basics of scuba, with an introduction to the scuba kit and how it works. You will then try on the kit and get into the shallow end of the pool for a short lesson with your instructor -- 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.
 A try-diver with one of our instructors |
 York Hall Pool |
How much does it cost?
We have a range of dive fees according to the level you join us at. We hope that you’ll find our fees excellent value compared to other dive courses. The beauty of becoming a member is that the more you learn, the more you save. Our fees include membership of BSAC, free subscription to DIVE Magazine, lectures, training and course material.
For New Divers (those without a diving qualification)
| Try Dive | £10 (refund when you join) | BSAC membership | £52/year | Hackney membership | £140/year | Training materials | £37 | Total cost | £219 |
Existing members and qualified divers
| Qualification | Joining HSAC | Joining BSAC | Total |
| Ocean Diver/Trainee/PADI OW/PADI AOW | £130 | £52 | £182 |
| Sport Diver/PADI Rescue | £115 | £52 | £167 |
| Dive Leader | £90 | £52 | £142 |
| Open Water Instructor | £75 | £47 | £122 |
| Advanced Diver | £90 | £47 | £137 |
| Advanced Instructor | £30 | £47 | £77 |
Divers beginning a new course will also need to buy training materials the cost of which varies with the course. A second members of a household can be a BSAC abated members for reduced cost.
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 PADI is a commercial training
qualification. Both qualifications are universally recognised. Your PADI
qualifications are recognised by BSAC.
For further details on BSAC go to http://www.bsac.com
What does training involve?
Your training will include a combination of lectures, pool sessions, open
water sessions (usually at Stoney Cove in Leicestershire, Gildenburgh near
Peterborough, or in the sea at Swanage in Dorset)
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".