COVID-19 Update
(Updated: 18th April 2021)
In line with the recent easing of restrictions we have started club diving again!
Sadly, we're still unable to host our usual Wednesday social evening so if you're already a diver and fancy joining us, or if you have any questions about diving and / or our club, then please get in touch.
Please note, we're unable to offer any try dives or new diver training until the pandemic is behind us. This is because some of the safety procedures everyone must learn to pass requires close, physical contact in and out of the water.
From everyone at Brighton BSAC.
Please take care and stay safe.
We are Brighton’s friendly local dive club and one of the first BSAC branches, established in 1954 as Brighton BSAC club number 007!
We have some enthusiastic, experienced instructors at our club and welcome new members and divers from all diving agencies. From trainees who are new to the sport to experienced divers of all grades, divers who have learnt overseas and want to progress in the UK or guest divers from other clubs who wish to join us occasionally!
All are welcome… So lets dive in!
We teach an active programme of diver grade and skill development training courses at the Club, ranging from introductory ‘try dives’ to BSAC Advanced Diver. You can progress from your first breath underwater to managing your own dive trip.
Fancy trying scuba diving and experiencing what its like to breathe underwater for the first time? Want to check it’s for you before committing to a full training course? Try it with us!
During your Try Dive session, our instructors will talk you through all the basics one on one. You can experience what it feels like to breathe under water at your own pace, in the safety and comfort of the pool. It’s safe, exciting and great fun! Get in touch with us for current prices and to make further arrangements. Alternatively keep an eye out on our Club Calendar page for Try Dive Events we may organise from time to time.
If you choose to continue learning after a Try Dive, you can join the club (selecting Brighton BSAC online or by Membership Application Form) and also by joining the BSAC central club to begin your diving career with the Ocean Diver course. Once you pass you become a qualified Scuba Diver you can continue building on your skills as you progress through the five BSAC levels of diving expertise. The Training Progression Chart to the right shows how you can continue your training with us.
Our instructors provide their training to Club members for free, so you’ll just need to pay for the course pack (normally £40) and the costs of equipment usage and expenses for your training.
If you'd like you can follow the links below to find out more information about each level of diving on the BSAC website.
As part of the Club you have access to a range of skill development courses that our run by our team of instructors according to member interest, as well as the full range of courses that are delivered by the BSAC regional coaching teams in their annual program. These are designed to build your confidence and expand your skills.
They include special interest courses such as Wreck Diving, Marine Life Appreciation, and Underwater Photography, seamanship courses such as Boat Handling and Chartwork, health and safety courses such as First Aid for Divers and Oxygen Administration, and technical diving courses to extend your diving range or learn CCR.
Are you already a qualified diver from another agency but want to join a club environment instead? Perhaps you qualified abroad on holiday and want to continue now you are home? We think its great to have our friends around us when we dive so we can share experiences together and would love for you to join us too!
It doesn’t matter who you trained with, if you’ve never dived in the UK before or if you haven’t dived for a while – the doors are open to all!
Click the BSAC equivalency chart PDF to the right see which qualification level you dive under!
OK, so you're qualified but want to 'test the waters' before joining. That's fine! You can join us for the day as a guest diver.
We ask that you meet one of the minimum qualifications:
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BSAC Sports Diver
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PADI Advanced Open Water
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SAA Club Diver
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IANTD Diver
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and others!
We welcome guests who have qualified while in the UK or abroad, however we know that diving in the English Channel can be different to diving in the Red Sea for example, so please contact us if you have any questions or require any information as to the suitability of a dive.
During the summer we regularly dive an exciting range of local wreck and inshore drift dives. Keep an eye on our Club Calendar for dives we are planning.
Our dive fees are £20 per dive for guests and members. We welcome guests to dive with us up to 6 days per calendar year, or join the Club to continue the fun!
If you join us as a guest, the times you will be given are the boat departure times, so please allow yourself plenty of time (about an hour) to meet us, have the dive brief and get your kit ready. Typically a single dive trip will take approximately 3 to 4 hrs, but this can vary.
You will need to sign a UK Sport Diver Medical Form as a part of our procedures. We also require details of your dive history, so please bring your log book and certification.
Established in 1954 as Brighton BSAC 007, we are one of the first BSAC branches. Once based in Brighton, we are now based in Shoreham-By-Sea at the Sussex Yacht Club (SYC), giving easy access via the A27 and the train station to divers across Sussex, with members from Bognor Regis, Brighton, Falmer, Mid Sussex and Newhaven.
We have an 8 metre club boat (RIB) moored year round here at SYC which we take on trips to dive around the UK, space for storage of kit and an all-important bar and restaurant on site for diver debriefs! There is also free parking as well as changing and shower facilities.
Unlike many other clubs in the area, we also have our very own air compressor which gives our club members access to unlimited free air fills.
We get together every Wednesday evening from 8:00pm at the Sussex Yacht Club bar upstairs, come along and meet us for a drink! We’re a friendly bunch and love meeting new people! We can show you around the facilities and if you’re interested you can sign up for a Dive, Try Dive or Training Programme with us.
Facilities at a glance
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8 metre Ring RIB with twin Suzuki DS140 engine- moored on site
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Onsite compressor
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Free air to members, £2 for guests diving with us
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Club regs/bcd’s/Cylinder and airfill – £10 members/guest divers
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Free on site Parking 15m from mooring
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Cylinder storage
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Suit drying area
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Showers and changing facilities
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Bar and restaurant
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Ensures the Committee fulfils the needs of the membership
Al Locke
CHAIRMAN & EQUIPMENT OFFICER
Ensures that the Club Members follow the rules and dive safely.
Keeper of funds
Chris Bohea
DIVING OFFICER
Laura Foster
TREASURER
Keeper of lists
Tom Voice
SECRETARY
Liases with the yacht club on our behalf
Looks after the club website and social media communications
Boat care and maintenance
Ensures members get the right training at the right time
Responsible for club membership
Dave Norwood
SYC LIASON OFFICER
Andy Baigent
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS
Chris Scriven
BOAT OFFICER
Ray Ward
TRAINING OFFICER
Elaine Grant
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
Ray Ward
OPEN WATER INSTRUCTOR
Ali Dack
OPEN WATER INSTRUCTOR
Chris Bohea
OPEN WATER INSTRUCTOR
Cassie McManus
ASSISTANT OPEN WATER INSTRUCTOR
Glean Neagle
ASSISTANT OPEN WATER INSTRUCTOR
Whether you're looking to start a new hobby or want to rekindle an old one, we'd love to go diving with you!
If you have any questions, or would like to find out more about us and all things diving, there are a number of ways to get in touch, you can either send us a message on the form below, message us through our Facebook Page or e-mail us at btonbsac@gmail.com.
Alternatively, our social night is every Wednesday evening from 8PM at the bar at Sussex Yacht Club in Shoreham-By-Sea so come down and you might get a free pint from one of us!
Sussex Yacht Club Address
85/89 Brighton Road,
Shoreham-by-Sea,
West Sussex, BN43 6RE
Tel: 01273 464868