BSAC Crossover?

[ayb1]

The wife and I finished our PADI Open Water Dives about a month ago, and now we are looking at a way to learn more and maintain proficiency.

We've got a few trips planned for the new year, but I would like to join a diving club. Around London they have several clubs that have pool time, etc.

It seems that most of the clubs are BSAC affiliated and will require us to do a PADI to BSAC crossover.

Is this worthwhile? How complex is it? We will likely be leaving the UK within two years..

Would appreciate any thoughts and/or recommendations.

Thanks.
--Alex

 

[the_dumper]

The BSAC clubs in my area do not require you to do a crossover if you want to join the club so I would check with each one individually.
Lots of PADI schools now run clubs, it is frustrating for an instructor to spent hours and hours training a student knowing that they will probably never dive again.
What part of London are you from?
If you are anywhere near Harlow then you are welcome to come to our monthly club pool sessions.

 

[ayb1]

We live in Harrow. I have considered going all the way down to Waterloo to use the pool and join the Hellfins diving club.. I know that they require a BSAC crossover.

I know there is a club in Harrow as well, but they don't seem to have as much pool time available.
--Alex

 

[dbulmer]

Not all clubs are BSAC. Have you considered SAA at all?

I got this from the SAA site http://www.saa.org.uk/

CLUB No:
12
CLUB Name:
HILLINGDON SUB AQUA GROUP
E-Mail:
johnolley@supanet.com
Home Page:
www.hilsag.org
CONTACT NAME:
JOHN OLLEY
TELEPHONE:
01332 863185

I don't know if the contact details are correctr but it might be worthwhile uou checking it out.

I am PADI OW and train in Slough. I am doing the crossover to SAA.

I think both SAA (and BSAC emphasize a little more physical training) and IMHO it's a good thing as you get to practice all your skills regularly as well as learn new ones.

For example, fitness:-
Swim 200m
recover object from bottom of pool
Tread water for 5 mins

Skills

Remove replace mask 3 times (without showing discomfort)
Remove replace reg 3 times
Remove and refit scuba at bottom of pool without surfacing.

The tasks may seem daunting to some but it really does help get you more comfy in the water and you'll notice it on your next dives!

Don't get the impression that it's fitness that counts - it's not - it's diving fun and safety that counts as most tests can be done over a period of time so that you can perform the skills to the satisfaction of the Training officer.

best wishes

 

[chrisch]

My partner and I joined BSAC in the summer and dived this summer with them off Brighton.
As an OW you would be a BSAC Ocean and I think most BSAC clubs would want you to get to the Sports Diver level ASAP. Alternatively do your AOW/Rescue first and then join as a Sports. BSAC Sports runs out when you leave BTW.

There is no crossover as such - an intro to BSAC then a look at the BSAC88 tables.

In my view the advantage of BSAC is a club with other people to go diving with. They usually have a RIB as well and so you get to go diving. Most clubs organise dives with Sports (i.e over 20m) divers in mind hence you, as Ocean/OW, will miss out I think.

If you are only there for a while you might find it cheaper to carry on as independent divers or join a shop based club. BSAC has its pros and cons, but its training program is a key part of its value for money balance. The club we joined was good and the people friendly and we got some good diving in, but renewal fees were too high for us to continue so we are back to PADI/IANTD again now. Lots of clubs in London - but think about doing what we did (we're in Tottenham) and joining a coastal based club to go diving. Problems include not being able to attend beer-up/club meetings, but a coastal club is better placed for diving. London clubs will have a wider range of options of venue and nearer for social side if that is what you want.

Some BSAC members are also anti-PADI. If you find people like that walk away, there are lots that are not and BSAC has worked hard to get rid of this outdated attitude.
PM me if you need more.
Chris.