The 2025 Kernow Dive Festival was a huge success, with more than 200 divers from at least 15 different BSAC clubs descending on Cornwall to take part.
Ten RIBs and their skippers collectively carried out just shy of 300 boat dives over the weekend, with divers of all levels participating in the weekend's scheduled diving.
Not only was it fantastic to see the diving community come together to celebrate diving on World Oceans Day, but the weekend also raised funds for the recompression chamber at DDRC Healthcare Plymouth - and hopefully increased awareness of their work.
The plight of UK chamber facilities has been in the spotlight recently due to the planned reduction in the number of hyperbaric chambers available to scuba divers in England. With their numbers set to be cut from eight to just three, the pressure on the remaining chambers is a serious concern. Yet many divers starting out are unaware of the facilities available when things go wrong or the ongoing research that takes place at these facilities to make diving safer for everyone.
DDRC leads the field in dive disease research, treating decompression illness, and maintaining the national 24/7 helpline. Their work is essential for keeping all divers safe, and the Festival organisers are proud to help raise awareness of their fantastic work.
Record-breaking fundraising
Last year, Kernow Dive Festival raised over £7,300 for DDRC Healthcare in Plymouth; this year, participants raised a phenomenal £8,550! This brings the total raised by the festival for DDRC to £69,760.
This is primarily thanks to the fantastic support the event receives from the clubs attending, the diving industry and local businesses, who contribute significantly to the raffle and auction fundraising activities on the Saturday night.
The following businesses deserve a special mention who the organisers wish to thank for their generosity. In no particular order:
- North Coast Diving donated a full-day charter
- O'Three Ltd donated a 50% drysuit voucher and a semi-dry
- Kent Tooling Diving Products donated two of their reels
- Seaways Diving and Suunto UK donated a D6i Novo Zulu dive computer between them
- Scubapro donated a pair of Seawing Supernova fins
- MARES donated three of bags
- Discovery Divers Plymouth Ltd donated a day's diving for two divers
- Seaways Diving and Engineer Aftercare Caravan, Campervan & Motorhome Warranty donated vouchers for cylinder testing and £100 off at Seaways
- Liquid Sports donated a BigBlue 1300NP Torch and some Sharkskin caps
- Cressi donated a pair of their Origin fins
- AP Diving donated an assortment of items, including flasks, dry bags, mugs and beanies
- DDRC Healthcare donated a 40m chamber dive and facilities tour for up to 8 people
- Dive Signs donated a selection of their Smart Emergency, MOD and Gas Analysis sticker packs
- Sharp's Brewery donated a voucher for either a 5-litre mini cask of Doom Bar or an 8-pack of cans
- Scuba Ry Divers donated a snorkel set
- BSAC - British Sub-Aqua Club donated two digital SDC training packs
- Porthkerris Divers donated t-shirts
Two local businesses helped keep the divers warm and fed. Penryn Joinery donated a van load of their heating fuel briquettes to warm the divers throughout Saturday night. Firewood Supplies Ltd near Penzance, kindly donated several large bags of restaurant-grade charcoal to the Kernow Dive Festival BBQ.
Local ghost gear recovery charity Fathoms Free supported the fundraising weekend with its recently refurbished RIB and experienced skipper, Jules. Their RIB Stingray was the first boat out and the last boat in on both days, and they said it was fantastic to support such a great cause. They were pleased to be able to help raise awareness and funds for DDRC, which provides a vital service to all divers in the region, including those who volunteer for the charity during ghost gear recoveries.
[L] Steve Collingwood and Steve Hopper of Vale Royal SAC ready for ropes-off; [R] new Chair Andy Shenstone (pictured left) with Jim Burns, Totnes SAC and auctioneer
BSAC regional help
A number of BSAC South West Region clubs played a major role in this year's event.
Bude Dive Club members looked after the catering and, along with Peninsula Sub Aqua Club, ran the control room and slipway like a well-oiled military operation.
Members from Peninsula also oversaw much of the shotting of the sites and the weekend's dive planning. They have a small quiz team known amongst other names as the 'four skin divers' that attends Tricky's at the Tolgus Inn every fortnight to participate in their quiz nights. Over the last 12 months, they collated all of their winnings and donated £230 to the fundraising efforts!
Totnes Sub Aqua Club members look after the finances and insurance, and also ran the record breaking raffle again this year.
Organisers want to say special thanks to Ponsandane Camping who once again provided VIP treatment for the weekend, and provided secure boat storage to all clubs attending. Thanks also go to the team at Penzance Harbour for supporting the event every year. Finally, huge thanks go to everyone who helped organise the weekend, the businesses and individuals who donated to the fundraising event and the 200+ people who took part.
It was truly a fantastic event, and despite the less-than-ideal weather, everyone had a great time, and a record amount of money was raised. Planning for next year is already underway.
New BSAC Chair Andy Shenstone attended with his club, Vale Royal Sub Aqua Club. Andy said:
The Kernow festival relies upon a large number of deeply committed volunteers who give off their time freely to organise one of the most fun but also important dive festivals of the calendar. By raising money for the DDRC - this year a record breaking £8,850 - this should be a key event for any diver's calendar because you are directly contributing to supporting a vital safety resource, and get to enjoy some great diving at the same time. I've already blocked out the dates for 2026 (6 and 7 June) and welcome promoting the event as BSAC Chair.
