As the British Sub-Aqua Club celebrates its Platinum Jubilee today (15 October), its chair EDWARD HAYNES talks to Divernet about how the club is responding to the challenges of the 2020s
To celebrate its 70th anniversary, BSAC has produced a short video to remind members and friends around the world of its heritage and its “key role in promoting underwater exploration, safety and education”.
The club was founded in 1953 by RAF Sub-Aqua Club members Oscar Gugen and Peter Small, who wanted to create a democratic, non-profit organisation that would facilitate diving and promote marine conservation. Twenty-two early scuba divers attended the inaugural meeting in London to establish the first branch.
Recognising the need for structured training programmes, BSAC introduced its first novice diving course during the 1950s, laying the foundation for subsequent training levels such as Sports Diver, Dive Leader and Advanced Diver, each building on knowledge and skills acquired at the previous level.
“BSAC’s commitment to safety led to the establishment of a rigorous system of instructor qualification and ongoing professional development,” says club chair Edward Haynes. “The Instructor Training Scheme remains a cornerstone of BSAC’s success, ensuring that instructors are equipped with the knowledge and skills to train divers effectively and safely.”
Edward learnt to dive with the military in the 1970s, joined BSAC in the late 1990s on a posting to Cyprus and gradually progressed to become an Advanced Diver/Advanced Instructor. He was BSAC honorary secretary before becoming chair of its council, and says that over the years “BSAC has catered for all my diving needs“.
Apart from training generations of divers, club expeditions over the years have featured notable discoveries, he says, including recovery of the ancient Antikythera Mechanism from the wreck in Greece and, in the UK’s Solent, the dedicated diving that culminated in the raising of King Henry VIII’s flagship the Mary Rose.
“As BSAC enters its eighth decade, it continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of the diving community,” says Edward. “It’s embracing technological advancements, incorporating new teaching methodologies, exploring new ways to deliver greater value to members. It is also finding ways to appeal to younger generations in order to keep the sport we all love going for future generations.”
Asked by Divernet to elaborate on what BSAC can offer today’s scuba divers, Haynes points first to its embrace of new technology in the form of the MyBSAC app. This puts members’ qualification record on their smartphones and enables instructors to sign off scuba and snorkelling training lessons using the Digital Qualification Record Book (eQRB) system.
“The pandemic did certainly prove a catalyst for several technological advancements, including digitising training with the launch of eLearning and creating digital versions of BSAC’s training materials,” says Edward.
“We also increased the personalisation of our digital communications by utilising marketing automation technology more effectively. For example, new members receive regular personalised emails through their first year of membership, to engage them in BSAC activities and to help them realise value in membership.”
New teaching methodologies enable students to opt to train using the BSAC eLearning platform, as well as through the digital training materials that according to Edward are steadily replacing paperwork.
“BSAC continues to evolve as the demand for a hybrid way of learning grows,” he says. “For most courses, clubs and members can choose how and where they train – whether that’s online or in person, and whether in a club, region or training centre.
“The organisation has also worked to nurture links between clubs and training centres, so commercial centres can help support clubs with their training. Again, this delivers additional choice for members and clubs.”
Access to club diving and to BSAC training is important to members, says Edward. “BSAC has expanded its range of training courses and it has also grown the programme of scheduled training events, operated regionally.
“As well as expanding the training options for people, the increase in course choice and number of events to book onto will be delivering increased accessibility and value.”
Meanwhile BSAC’s member insurance remains a “key valuable component” of membership. “Our safety data and experienced staff team-members that work on this ensure that we can deliver the best-quality insurance at the best-possible rate for members.”
Maintaining a healthy intake of younger divers has long proved a challenge to the diving industry in general. “Our network of university clubs have received enhanced support this year with a package of promotional support, membership and training-pack offers and instructor support,” says Haynes. “Early results are looking positive for the freshers’ 2023 season.
“We continue to expand and grow our use of social media to promote BSAC diving and snorkelling. We’re reaching out to young audiences on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok with various campaigns. The results have been encouraging and we’ve seen more young people, and women, click through to sign up this way.”
BSAC has also joined forces with environmental organisations to offer citizen-science courses and events, says the chair. It actively encourages members to adopt environmentally friendly diving practices, and promotes respect for marine ecosystems through initiatives such as the current Operation Oyster programme and Great Seagrass Survey.
Social events, training, conferences and trips organised by the club all provide opportunities for divers and snorkellers to connect and share experiences, says Edward, with branches supporting the growth of diving communities across the UK.
“We’re working hard to promote diversity and inclusion through our community,” he adds. “Plus, a new project has started to look at youth leadership in BSAC. Watch out for that in 2024!”
Also on Divernet: BSAC introduces Advanced Ocean Diver, Now 10-year-olds can dive with BSAC, Dive teams home in on native oysters, The first 60 Years of scuba diving with Grimsby & Cleethorpes BSAC
