Who are we?

We are branch number 25 of the British Sub-Aqua Club. We are based in Stechford, Birmingham. Formed in September 1955, today we consist of about forty-five members of varying diving experience, from those new to the sport to some who have been at it for thirty years.

Hundreds have learned to dive safely with us and despite our far-inland location we are an active diving and diver-training branch. We organise a number of diving trips each year to various coastal locations in the UK, and also occasionally to warmer waters overseas.

Our members have a wide range of diving interests. We are quick to embrace new advances in the sport: there is a rebreather diver in the branch and a number of members are qualified in the use of nitrox and trimix gases.

We also maintain and regularly use our own rigid hulled inflatable boat.

As a Branch, we are fortunate to have a dedicated team of instructors, some of whom are also active with the BS-AC regional coaching and instructor training schemes, which ensures that we are kept up-to-date with all the latest thinking in techniques, skills and equipment.

Within the Branch we are able to offer training from complete beginner level up to the Advanced Diver qualification, and we promise that all training will be supervised by a Nationally Qualified Instructor.

The British Sub-Aqua Club

The British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) is the world's biggest diving club, and one of the most respected diving organisations in the world with a reputation for the excellence of its diver training programme. It is the governing body for underwater sport in the UK. Its objectives are the promotion of underwater sport, exploration, science and safety. As a Company Limited by Guarantee, any profits generated by its activities are ploughed back into the further development of the sport for the benefit of all divers.

Meetings

We meet on Monday evenings at 8.45pm for a pool session at Stechford Cascades Leisure Centre, where members can undertake training, try out diving equipment, snorkel or just swim.

Afterwards we have a social gathering at the nearby Sedgemere Sports and Social Club.

We have informal open water meetings for diving and diver training at one of our local inland dive sites every three to four weekends throughout the year. In the summer months we meet at Dosthill quarry most Friday evenings (other than when we are are away at the coast diving for the weekend).

Membership

Membership is paid as an annual subscription and includes both membership of the BSAC and our branch. The fee depends on individual circumstances e.g. there are discounts for those under eighteen or in full-time education and for more than one member sharing a single address. Please contact us for more details.

BSAC membership includes third party diving liability cover, Dive magazine delivered by post each month and access to all members' training courses and other benefits. As a member of the Branch you can take part in diver training (if applicable), join us on diving trips away and have access to branch equipment and facilities.

Scuba diving is an adventurous sport, and there are some medical conditions which are incompatible with safe participation in the sport. Every member therefore has to sign annually a self-certification medical form, defined by the UK Sports Diving Medical Committee. If you have any queries about the medical requirements, then please contact us.

UK Sports Diving Medical Committee Self-Declaration Medical Form