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Meet BSAC A guide to how BSAC is organised and managed. Meet a Branch Learn how a BSAC Branch operates, its activities and organisation. Meet the members Hear what it's like to dive as a BSAC member. Meet BSAC HQ Meet the staff at BSAC HQ and learn about their roles. Meet the Coaches A tour of the regions with BSAC - meet the Regional Coaches. Meet the Diver Training Centres Take a tour of the BSAC Diver Training Centres. Meet the Resort Centres Take a tour of the BSAC Resort Centres. Contact BSAC Who to contact at BSAC. |
Meet Totnes BranchThe Totnes Branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club was formed in 1973 and currently has over 80 members. However, membership is not just restricted to Totnes residents, with Plymouth, Newton Abbot, Torbay and even Derbyshire represented. The branch has a "wet" session at Totnes Leisure Pool at 8.00 p.m. on a Wednesday evening, where members and their families are welcome to come and swim, snorkel (the branch has an active snorkelling section) or to practice their diving skills for only a small fee to cover pool costs. This is followed by the weekly gathering in the upstairs bar at the Meadowbrook Community Centre, Dartington, from around 9.00 p.m. onwards, for a social get together and to plan the following week's diving.The club gained national recognition from the BSAC in 1994 when it was awarded the Heinke Trophy. This Trophy is awarded annually to the branch judged to have done most to further the interests of its members and the BSAC and is hotly contested. We were also the runners-up for the BSAC/Diver Spotlight Award in 1998 and the Heinke Trophy in 1999. South Devon is undoubtedly one of the places to live if you are a diver, with enthusiasts from all over the UK coming to the West Country every year just to dive off our coast, where underwater visibility is sometimes as good as 20-30 metres and the water abounds with colourful marine life. The area has as much to offer underwater as it does on land, with spectacular underwater scenery and many local shipwrecks to be visited. Diving is an exhilarating sport and great fun and, given proper training, it is safer than driving to work or playing football. The branch runs regular training courses, both for those learning to dive and for more experienced divers wishing to increase their skills, such as boat handling and lifesaving or to gain higher qualifications, either using our own instructors or in conjunction with other local clubs. New members are always welcome, whether you are complete beginner who wants to learn to dive or an experienced diver who would like to join a club that does lots of varied and interesting diving. Diving is organised throughout the year at sites all over South Devon, visiting wrecks like the Persier, the Maine and the James Egan Layne; or more scenic dives such as Hilsea Point, the East Rutts and the famous Eddystone Reef, and in the summer there are likely to be evening dives during the week as well as weekend diving, with all levels of experience catered for. There are also regular trips to Cornwall and expeditions to such places as the Scillies, Scotland (Oban and Scapa Flow), Pembroke, Southwest Ireland and the South of France. It isn't all just diving either, with a regular programme of social events such as ten-pin bowling, trips to see the likes of the Mary Rose and The Victory, and beach barbecues (umbrellas optional!). The club also has a very successful Octopush (underwater hockey) team that competes at national level. The branch owns two boats (RIBs), each fully equipped with radio, echo sounder, electronic navigation and safety equipment. These are kept in a purpose-built boatshed, which also houses our 4WD vehicle, compressor and a wide variety of training equipment. The club is run financially by annual fees from its members as well as numerous fund raising events through the year, and we have recently introduced the facility for members to pay their branch subs by standing order. The branch is managed by an elected committee of ten members who meet regularly to make major decisions affecting the organization and development of the branch. Visiting divers, whether BSAC, SAA, PADI, NAUI, SSI or any other recognised organisation, are welcome to come and dive with the club, provided that you have a valid medical and appropriate third party insurance. Totnes SAC is both a BSAC branch and an SAA club. However, you do not need to be a member of either to join Totnes SAC, although this will get you automatic insurance cover and, in the case of the BSAC, a monthly copy of Dive Magazine (full members only). |
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