Hi.
On our August bank holl dive we go to the Farnes.
15 years ago we had 4 ribs and every place filled, with boats sometimes going out for a second wave to take the overflow, petrol reasonably priced, launching from opposite Beadnell campsite free but awkward.
This year, petrol and towing cost's through the roof, Beadnell boat launch too dear so now we have to save money by launching and leaving 3 boats in Seahouses harbour.
From 20+ divers down to 8 and that was a struggle, the club has more members now than 15 years back, but less active divers even though the Farnes trip was geared up to the newer members, of which only 2 managed to turn up!.
Same as most clubs the same nucleus of divers came on the dives, this is not clique diving, it is the true divers who go every week.
The cost of diving and the ease of training compared to the original training makes it a sport that hasn't the same intrinsic value, encouraging the butterfly divers who try it for a bit get a badge and bugger off.
Make me wonder why we bother.
If we could get divers to build a team from any club that is interested, who are prepared to get off their arse and dive regularly, that would be a fine thing.
