Sports Diver course

The course comprises:

6 x theory lectures
3 x sheltered water lessons (in our club swimming pool)
5 x open water lessons (in inland training lakes and Weymouth)

Theory lessons normally run either 7.15pm – 8.15pm or 8.30pm – 9.30pm in our lecture room. Please see course schedule for full details.

Sheltered water lessons are from 8.30pm – 10.00pm in the Competition Pool at Bracknell Sports & Leisure Centre, Bagshot Rd, Bracknell.

Open water lessons take place following successful completion of a written theory test. These will usually take place at Wraysbury Dive Centre and The National Diving and Activity Centre, Chepstow or at the coast (usually on a hard boat out of Weymouth). Please see course schedule for full details.

Assessment

Theory test
Open water assessments

Qualification

On successful completion of the course you will be awarded BSAC Sports Diver certification. This qualification is highly regarded and recognised world-wide. It qualifies you to dive to a maximum depth of 35 metres.

PADI Equivalent

The BSAC Sports Diver qualification is roughly equivalent to PADI Advanced Open Water Diver qualification (max depth 30m) and PADI Diver Rescue course. We welcome qualified divers from other organisations into the club and they can dive according to their current qualification. We also run crossover courses in order to allow PADI Advanced Open Water divers to upgrade their maximum dive depth to 35 metres on club dives and also to learn the rescue skills if they have not taken that element in the PADI system.

Costs

All Sports Diver training courses run within the club are free to paid up club members.

You will need to pay a small fee to BSAC for training materials. The Sports Diver course pack is currently £18.00 + P&P* for members with qualification books, £28.00 + P&P for members who need a qualification book or £38.00 + P&P for crossover students who need a qualification book and The Diving Manual.* Please check latest prices with the Course Manager when you sign up for the course.

Club kit is available to hire if you do not already own it. You will need to purchase your own mask, snorkel and sea fins. You will also need to hire or purchase semi-dry or drysuits for Open Water dives. 

You will need to pay entrance fees to training lakes (typically £9.00 – £15.00 per day) and boat charter costs (typically £50.00 – £55.00 per day to include two dives). You will also need to arrange and pay for your own travel and accommodation for weekend dives at the coast. This may involve Friday and Saturday night accommodation depending on tides and 'ropes-off' times.

* All prices correct May 2012