A mother and daughter from Northern Ireland have achieved something truly special – completing the BSAC Advanced Diver qualification side by side, a rare accomplishment that highlights both dedication and the unique bond of family in diving.
Dr Rebekah McMurray and Fiona McMurray, members of Duck Downs Dive Club, are believed to be the youngest and oldest female duo to achieve the qualification together across the UK and Ireland. Inspired in part by BSAC’s instructor development opportunities for women and the This Girl Can Dive initiative, their journey reflects a shared commitment to lifelong learning through diving.
Their success was achieved while training with Los Gigantes Dive Centre in Tenerife, where they were supported by an experienced and encouraging team. Throughout the course, they developed and refined advanced skills including rescue techniques, navigation and decompression diving, all within a supportive and professional environment.
Rebekah described the experience as one shaped by community and collaboration:
Our journey towards this has shown how people can come together to share experience, enjoy life, and contribute positively to the world. I’ve loved seeing how compassionate BSAC divers are – from recovering deep wrecks to support families, to conserving marine species and raising awareness of biodiversity. I’m very grateful to everyone involved in my diving and learning journey.
For Fiona, the achievement is both personal and inspirational:
It’s been a privilege to share this experience with my daughter and with the many instructors and divers we’ve met along the way. It’s been challenging but great fun. This is something I’d encourage anyone to take up – diving isn’t just a sport; it’s an amazingly wonderful way of life.
Along the way, Becky and Fiona have trained and dived with a wide network of instructors, coaches and clubs across the UK and beyond, reflecting the strength and inclusivity of the BSAC community.
Their inspirational story is a celebration of intergenerational adventure, resilience, and opportunities to explore, learn and progress. Congratulations to both on becoming BSAC Advanced Divers!
