In the years that the branch has been in operation, a good level of equipment has been established with off-shore diving being catered for by two boats; a 6m Humber RIB boat powered by two 55hp engines and an Osprey Viper 5.75 RIB powered by twin 75hp engines. The Branch places a strong emphasis on training and to this end we are proud to have a number of members trained to B.S-A.C.'s Nationally Q
ualified Instructor level as well as several Assistant Club Instructors. Cylinders, demand valves, dry suits, masks, fins and snorkels are available for use by trainees. In order to give budding divers a taste of what it is all about, the Branch offers a "Introduction to Diving / Try Dive" session for £25.00. Here new potential members are encouraged to experience the use of an aqualung underwater! Of course, this is carried out in the swimming pool, on a one to one basis under the close strict supervision of one of our experienced Branch instructors. If, within a month of completing your "Introduction to Diving / Try Dive", you make a commitment to join us, we'll even deduct £5.00 from your initial membership fee! If you're still a little apprehensive, why not enrol on one of our Snorkelling courses. These are run usually over a few weeks and aim to acquaint beginners with the correct use of mask, fins and snorkel; ideal if you want to make best use of your holiday abroad by the sea ! Learning to Scuba Dive safely is of paramount importance to the Branch, so as to enable all members to achieve maximum enjoyment of the exhilarating sport with the minimum of risk. Training is carefully tailored to meet the needs of the individual; you don't need to be able to swim like an Olympic athlete but you do need to have confidence in the water. The Branch adheres to a training format recommended by B.S-A.C. where a series of lectures are backed up by practical training conducted in the pool. Only when members are competent with their equipment in the pool are they encouraged to move on to open water diving. To that end, dives are generally arranged at various sites, (mainly in the North Wales area) on alternative weekends throughout the year. When the weather permits, off-shore diving is conducted from our boats and members are encouraged to attend these weekends when they will learn other valuable skills such as boat handling and basic seamanship. It's not all about diving though! A Social Membership is automatic for partners who do not wish to dive but want to get involved in other activities in the Branch. Barbecues are a fun part of dive weekends, and essential maintenance tasks such as cleaning / painting the boat and trailer are turned into a social event; if it does rain there's always the pub ! The Branch meets each Thursday 7.30 to 9.00 p.m. at the Pool in Winsford's Brio Lifestyle Centre. All potential new members are welcome and we will encourage you to use mask, fins and snorkel in the safety of the pool. The "Introduction to Diving/ Try Dive" course provides an ideal opportunity to 'get your feet wet' and see what it is like to breathe from a demand valve underwater without having to make an expensive financial outlay. You may have thought that you wouldn't like the idea, or have been put off by the cost of the equipment in case you felt that it wasn't for you. Well, try it first and see ! Also don't forget our Snorkelling courses as well. So come on down ! We can assure you of a welcome that will be even warmer than the Pool!
