We are always looking for new members who not only want to learn to dive, but also want to be involved in diving and being part of our club once qualified. We are a very friendly Club, with some 60 or so members, with diving experience varying from beginners up to members who have been diving for over 50 years. Our members come from throughout Warwickshire and from the neighbouring counties of the south midlands. We are open to anyone local who wants to be part of an active dive club and is 18 or over. If you’re 16 or 17 we may be able to accommodate you be special arrangement, and if your parent or guardian is able to accompany you to the club.
Being a club member means not only getting your expert diving training from qualified instructors, but brings a whole range of other benefits too. Here are some of the things you can expect if you decide to join us.
Diving trips
Celebrating Sally’s 1000th dive on a club trip
We are a particularly active club, organising dive trips all round the UK Coast and abroad. The Club owns a RIB (rigid inflatable boats) and a portable compressor, which give us the independence to explore alternative dive sites to those usually visited by charter boats, and also gives members experience in boat handling. Having said that, for some of our trips we do use charter boats or even fully catered liveaboard boats.
Our UK dive trips are usually at weekends, with the occasional week long event. They tend to begin about the beginning of April and carry on right into October, depending on the weather. We usually camp or stay in B’n’B accommodation. We also organise diving trips abroad, both land based and on live aboard boats, and these can take place at any time of year. Day trips to inland dive sites, including Stoney Cove in Leicestershire and the National Diving and Activity Centre in Chepstow, are organised all year round, including during the winter for those in training or suffering from withdrawal symptoms!
Pool training
Pool training
When not diving we meet up weekly on a Thursday at the pool at Stratford Leisure Centre. Here members can continue their scuba training, or do stamina training or simply indulge in a relaxing swim or hang out in the sauna.
Social activities
Each Thursday after pool training we meet in the bar at Stratford Town Football Club for a social catch up. We also have a full programme of other social events. Our annual photography competition gives members an opportunity to show off their underwater photography skills and share their photos with everyone at the award evening each spring. We have a summer barbecue, a Christmas Dinner Dance and awards ceremony, skittles nights, curry nights and more. Non diving family and friends are always welcome.
Awards are given at the annual dinner dance
Club website and mailing list
The club’s website and Facebook presence help keep members in touch with activities even if they can’t make it to the Thursday night meet-ups. Our events calendar is kept constantly up to date so you always know what’s going on. We also have an email group for all members, which can be used to advertise events, ask for advice or to buy and sell equipment. New members are invited to write a short profile of themselves which helps introduce them to the club.