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Membership - who can join ?
North West Kent BSAC welcomes new and trained divers.
The club membership year runs from April 1st to March 31st. Those members joining mid - year will pay the full amount the first year but with appropriate pro - rata reduction the following year. Second years membership is discounted (see below)
Where do we dive ?
Training - NWK College pool in Gravesend
Training - Leybourne Lakes, Wraysbury Dive centre and other inland sites.
Training - Newhaven and Seaford.
Expeditions - over the last year the club has dived in the Red Sea, Plymouth, Cornwall and Newhaven (Sussex)
How much to join ? Club Details and Charges
New divers first year £321.50
This includes all training materials and manuals for Ocean Diver, use of club equipment and air fills
Qualified divers (Ocean, Sports, Dive Leader) £163.00 p.a.
Higher qualified divers (Advanced, Club Instructor) £158.00 p.a.
National Instructor £143.00 p.a.
Student/junior divers £135.00 p.a.
Associate (none-diving) member £156.00 p.a.
Pool charge for each use members £2.00 each time or £15 for the year. Non members £3.00 each use
Membership fees include full BSAC membership, insurance and a monthly copy of “Dive” magazine.
When is the membership Year ?
The club membership year runs from April 1st to March 31st. Those members joining mid - year will pay the full amount the first year but with appropriate pro - rata reduction the following year.
When is the Training ?
Every Thursday - meet at 20:00, in the pool 21:00 to 22:00
Where does the club meet
At Body Matters Fitness Centre Pool at North West Kent College, Body Matters, Dering Way, Gravesend, DA12 2JJ
Please click here for a map (courtesy of Multimap). Entrance in Higham Road
How much is the kit ?
The total cost of equipment depends upon the type of diving you enjoy. Equipment can be bought an item at a time to spread the cost over the training and post qualifying dive period, this is how most members do this. Suggested order of purchase
Mask
Pool Fins
Weight belt
Weights (get a few at a time)
Snorkel
Open water fins
Wet suit
Boots
Hood
Gloves
Knife or line cutter
Torch
Regulator
Air tank
Bouyancy Jacket
What kit do I need ?
Everything is supplied during your first year of training apart from wet suits needed for open water training. There is no obligation to buy kit. After qualifying kit can be hired from the club. Members prefer to buy kit an item at a time to spread the cost, second hand kit is often available and the kit requirements for newly qualified divers are less than for experienced divers. The amount of kit you buy and need will depend on the level of diving you are qualified to do and the type of diving you enjoy.
How long will it take to get qualified?
BSAC is a combination of theory lectures, practical sessions in the pool and open water training (Lake or Sea). The length of time depends upon how quickly you progress and the availability of open water sessions - no one wants to do open water training in mid winter ! Training is at your own pace.
What are the grades of diver ?
Ocean Diver - Once qualified as an ocean diver, you can participate in dives not requiring a mandatory decompression stop under the supervision of a dive marshal where the depth does not exceed 20m. The training programme consists of three sections: lectures, pool work and open-water dives.
Sports Diver -Once qualified as an sports diver, you can participate in dives where the depth does not exceed 35m. This can include undertaking mandatory decompression stops. The training programme consists of three sections: lectures, pool work and open-water dives.
Dive Leader - Once qualified as an dive leader, you can participate in dives where the depth does not exceed 50m. You are expected to have rescue management and strong dive, air and decompression planning skills. The training programme consists of two sections: lectures and open-water dives.
Dive Leader - Once qualified as an advanced diver, you are considered a comprehensively trained diver. You have the skills to manage and supervise all branch diving expeditions. The training programme consists of two sections: lectures and open-water dives
What if I run out of air ?
If you are on dry land this is unlikely to happen - if it does then don’t worry as it will apply to everyone and there’s nothing you can do. Under water you must dive with a buddy, both are trained in out of air procedures and you will share air and return to the surface.
How cold is the water ?
In the pool its not too cold about 28C - comfortable with normal swimming costume.
Open water training takes place at Leybourne lake - temperatures are similar to the sea.
The sea in June/July is around 12 - 14C so you will need a decent wetsuit.
In September/October the sea is usually warmer at 18C so less layers will be needed.
Sea temperatures apply to the South Coast of England !
What protection is needed ?
In pool - just your swimming costume, a T Shirt or shortie wet suit (thin 3mm) helps with comfort if you feel the cold.
In the lake - April-May October-November - a 5 or 7 mm “semi dry” suit or wetsuit plus shortie oversuit.
In the sea April-May - a 5 or 7 mm “semi dry” suit or wetsuit plus shortie oversuit.
In the sea June - September. 5mm wetsuit or 5 mm semi dry plus 5mm shortie (optional).
In the sea October to April - Drysuit.
You will also need gloves, hood and boots. Your instructor will advise.
What will I see ?
In the UK there is a variety of interesting sea life, wrecks, reefs etc., all well worth a look.
Even Leybourne Lake has Pike, Perch, Eels, little black fish (god knows what they are) plus numerous “wrecks”
What sort of events does the club get involved in ?
We have social events - Beach BBQ, Curry Night, Bowling, Pub Quiz, Seaford Beach, Xmas parties.
Lectures and talks - RNLI., Coastguard, Marine Conservation Society. Marine Archaeology
Diving - Trips to the Red Sea, Turkey, Maldives, UK trips Swanage, Plymouth, Lizard (Cornwall), Dives at Newhaven and inland sites
Forthcoming events are on the notice board.
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