Two dive clubs, fees paid, 1 month, no dives...

[JamesW]

Originally Posted by Tazzie

It's totally non agency specific - we'll open our doors to anyone as long as they want to get wet!

We're linked to a PADI shop (inasmuch as we all DM for said shop in our other lives) but we definitely didn't want to be tied to just PADI as we're all up for learning more as we go along and a great way to do that is to see how other agencies do things (hence I joined an SAA club in Falmouth!!)

The website is still very much under construction but for more information either PM me or and to be added to the email list pop over a mail to southamptondivers@hotmail.co.uk or go into Yoyo Divers in Shirley, Southampton

Very good and the best of luck
Thanks

[gwilson]

Originally Posted by Tazzie

Apologies ina dvance if this is seen as spam but it does answer directly the OP's request:

I've recently been involed in starting up a new club in the area called Southampton Divers who are forming for exactly the reasons you are looking for - to dive regularly for all levels of exoerience. Although we're based out of a PADI orientated shop we will cater for all agencies (I'm PADI and SAA personally)

It's our opening weekend this weekend, we've got a couple of dives planned in Swanage, weather permitting or Vobster if the weather doesn't permit, Although there are no boat places left you are more than welcome to join us either under the pier or in Vobster. The diving will be followed by a BBQ at the Freemantle Arms in Shirley.

If you are interested drop me a PM and I'll put you in touch with the right people!

Hope we can help you!

Thats exactly the kind of club i joined a couple of months back. It caters for every kind of diver from novice, to rebreather. There are approx 40 odd members on the books all from the Glasgow area and all roughly in the same age group. Dives are arranged for every Sunday and most Thursday evenings. The site that are used normally depends on who is diving however if there is a mix a site is found that all levels can enjoy.

Lastnight was a dive on the Kintyre in the Clyde this sits below 30 metres however there is an old sewage discharge pipe that runs to 30 mtrs and covered in life. So the qualifed deeper divers did the wreck and those of us restricted by depth had a dive on the pipe.

We pay £15 a year in subs, various trips are organised both home and abroad, at least one of the members is a qualified instructor upto rebreather level, between everyone there is enough kit spare to help out divers who do not have their own kit and the best thing i have seen so far aside from the regular year round diving is there is a distinct lack of politics.

Unfortunately its a bit far from the OP's location.

[slip179]

Dave, I am in a BSAC Club in Alton which I would say at least 50% of club trips dives are arranged to include ODs. This is not only to dive but help them progress and undertake further training if and when they want. The club would always put a more experienced diver with each OD. The diving is a mixture of RIB (clubs own), hard boats and shore/quarry. It may be a bit far from NM but you are welcome. We meet every Tuesday at the French Horn Pub from around 9:30pm (sometimes a bit later on a pool night)

After training it is a bit differnt as what you do is not so programmed for you and you need to voice your interests To ensure all members know what's coming up dive trips are adverised via email and summarised in the electronic club calendar. All divers are encouraged to attend the annual dive planning meeting which sets out the year's programme. That way they can ask for any specifics to be put in the plan. Last Nov I asked for 3 things and I am doing 2 this year ( Scilly and Normandy).

Basically it can work and I am sure you will find the right place. PM me if you want to join us for a beer one Tuesday, but not next week, I am in Normandy!

Cheers, Rich.

[Jinxy]

Originally Posted by TerryH
Sorry that is crock and I think some clubs deserve bitch-slapping.

Bloke comes along to a club and the club officer will ask what he is
now and what he wants to do. At this point the awnser should be yes
we can do that, or no we are not doing that at the moment.

Then leave the newbie to decide if he's prepared to wait.

The club though seeing £ signs and a new member will just say yes to
anything, leaving said new member kicking his heels for months.

If you have to shout to be heard in a new club, then the only shout should
be "where is the exit".

T.

I do agree with T on this matter, i have been lucky and found a great little shop in Northampton call "Dive Northampton".

They have been great to me and well happy to pay my bit

I did my OW in the red sea with a mate, came back all fired up and looked on the Padi web site for a site/shop in the Northants area and found said shop.

I ended up doing my AOW with them and next week ill be doing my Nitrox course, all ready for my trip to Tenerife with me mate.

YD has been a great sorce of info and recormend it to any nubie like me

If you are heading up to Stoney and time, PM me and ill meet u their. Like the guy said "Diving in a puddle is just as good as the sea"

Good luck with your with you club hunting

Jinxy