Southern Region

Our region is one of the largest BSAC regions with over 85 branches, spanning from Oxfordshire all the way down to the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands.

We are lucky to have a coastline littered with wrecks, historic ports, reefs, walls and shore dives at varying depths, accessible for a wide variety of experience levels.

While we currently offer many courses within BSAC’s program of events, we believe it is important to continue to offer as much training as possible and be flexible to the needs of the divers within our region. Look out for more Diver Training Days coming your way soon and let us know if there are events you wish us to run.

View upcoming Southern Region events

Your Regional Coaches

We'd like to welcome Ollie Meaden who is joining the regional team and picking up the reins from Johnathan Hudson during 2026.

John Hudson, Southern Region Coach

I first dived in the mid-80s in a pool using reused aircraft cylinders, I’ve even used an ABLJ, it’s fair to say diving was something I wanted to do from an early age. That said, I didn’t start to qualify as a scuba diver until the early 90s when I joined Bristol Poly Sub-Aqua Club as a non-student and quickly took on the role of their Boats Officer. I’ve been in and out of the club scene over the years, but joined BathSAC in 2017, became their Equipment Officer, then their Diving Officer, now I seem to have both roles… I really need to work on that one.

Since joining BathSAC, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with the rest of the Southern Region team and regional coaches across the South of England. I see this as my way of being able to give back to BSAC as a whole and it allows me to help others develop and progress, but don’t think it’s all altruistic, every day is a school day and I learn just as much being involved in the regional events that get run.

There is an amazing world underwater, one in which I’ve seen things that are truly incredible. There is nothing better than being able to share that experience with others.

Oliver Meaden, Southern Region Coach

I started my diving career at University in 2001, joining the University of Portsmouth SAC where I achieved Dive Leader and OWI, making lifelong friends along the way. I continued my love of diving by joining Southsea SAC and being a member of both clubs. I have since completed my Advanced Diver and been lucky enough to dive around the globe including the Philippines, Australia and Egypt. I have now started to branch out into the world of technical diving, completing my cavern and introduction to cave diving course which is truly exhilarating.

Working alongside my friends, I have held several committee positions including secretary, equipment officer, Training officer and currently welfare officer. My aim is to not just support training within branches as needed but to promote the development of instructors across the region to help our clubs become self-sufficient. Being a teacher myself (inspired by becoming an OWI) I hope to be ideally placed in developing people.

I am also passionate about developing interbranch/regional communication.

How we help and support divers and branches in the Southern Region

We have a team of volunteer instructors ready to support and run a variety of Skill Development Courses for the region. One of our primary aims as a regional team is to support and develop as many of our new Instructors as possible, utilising our experienced coaching team.

Within our team, we have a very experienced expedition advisor on board who can help support our First Class Diver trainees. Anyone wishing to register their interest in doing the exam or seeking assistance with personal development plans will find a wealth of support and experience within the team.

Further aims we have include building stronger communication between us and our clubs.

Training and events in the Southern Region

The region offers a good selection of SDCs such as Compressor Operation, Buoyancy and Trim and Oxygen Administration as well as Twin-set Diver and ADP. View all Southern Regional events.

Please let the team know if you have special requests and we will try to incorporate them or help you make contact with other regions.

Want to join the regional coaching team?

We welcome anyone from Open Water Instructor to National Instructor who would like to develop or help with the development of their peers. Please feel free to contact John and Ollie for more information by email.