Going Diving

As a club, we dive throughout the year at the inland venues local to Birmingham (Stoney Cove and Dosthill) at weekends and in the evenings, and occasionally also travel further afield to the diving sites at Chepstow, Cromhall or Vobster. We have an annual weekend at Capernwray, focusing on diver training across all levels; and a diving holiday abroad most years.

Weekends Away

Throughout the summer diving season, roughly between April and October, we also arrange diving around the UK coast.

Our favourite destinations are the south Dorset and Devon coasts as they are relatively close to Birmingham and offer a variety of quality wreck and scenic dive sites. But we are also keen to explore other areas: in recent years we also dived the Channel Islands, Lundy Island, Falmouth and Loch Fyne.

Birmingham may well lie a long way inland, but being based in the centre of the country does mean that we are pretty much equidistant from many different coastal areas!

Our Boat

We have our own 5-metre rigid inflatable boat (RIB), which has a new engine purchased last year. It is equiped with all appropriate diving and safety equipment, including GPS navigation system, echo-sounder and VHF marine radio. When not in use for dives organised by the club, it can be used privately by suitably qualified and experienced members.

Whilst we like to make good use of our boat, we also charter commercial hardboats to take us to the more distant dive sites.

Something for Everyone

Most trips are open to all members, on a first-come-first-served basis when space is limited. However in order to cater for all levels of diving experience, places on selected trips each year are restricted to divers holding a specified minimum level of diving qualification or experience. These events offer - to those who are suitably prepared - the chance to take part in more adventurous diving. 

On the other hand, we run at least two weekends each year which are geared specifically towards offering new divers their first sea diving experience. These are held at venues offering easy and interesting shore or RIB based diving.

We try to arrange a range of accommodation options to suit almost all pockets. Static caravans have recently proved popular as they are usually very economic, and are flexible for either groups of people sharing or for families. Those who prefer even lower costs or who enjoy 'roughing it' can usually camp nearby, and, at the opposite end of the spectrum, there are always hotels and guest houses available.

August Bank Holiday Week

The August Bank Holiday week is the time for our annual holiday. On this week we usually aim to offer a variety of RIB-based diving suitable for everyone from trainees upwards. Members are welcome to join us for just a few days or the entire week, and several members have found that this trip also doubles a traditional family seaside holiday. Quite often we return to our old favourite of South Devon, and dive the wrecks of Bigbury Bay and The Bolt.