Sovereign Divers BSAC Scuba Diving club in Eastbourne, Sussex
Latest Updates
- Welcome to our two newest members - Claire & Steve! Both now training for Ocean Diver certification.
- 2012 diving is now underway for all you hard cases - and Graham is looking for interest for future dive plans...
- Anyone interested in a harbour dive on Saturday (3rd dec) please give Butch a call
- Butch is STILL trying to get a Vobster trip together! If you are interested please let him know
- Anyone fancy a trip to Vobster next weekend? (12/11) Contact Butch if you are interested
Sovereign Divers are fortunate enough to have several nationally qualified BSAC instructors as well as instructors from other training organisations, including PADI.
We regularly run courses from the excellent BSAC curriculum for our club members, who find this to be an extremely thorough and cost-effective way of learning to dive.
BSAC training courses are recognised throughout the world, and many of the standard procedures used by divers today were first introduced by the British Sub-Aqua Club.
Click here for more information on BSAC training courses.
Learn to dive
Ocean Diver
The BSAC entry level qualification is called Ocean Diver and consists of lectures, pools sessions, swimming assessment, open water sessions and a theory assessment.
Training takes place in small groups with students able to progress at their own pace rather than being fitted into a rigid timetable.
Training starts in the Sovereign Centre pool and lectures are run in the Yacht Club on a Tuesday evening.
When you are ready you can move on to putting your new skills into practice within the Sovereign Harbour complex and then out at sea.
Once you have completed your qualifying and experience dives, you will qualify as a certified diver.
When you have successfully completed the course and obtained your BSAC Ocean Diver qualification, you will be able to dive in a club environment up to a maximum depth of 20m.
Scuba training at Sovereign Divers is available to anyone who is over the age of 14 and medically fit.
For non-members, or perhaps those going on a diving holiday at short notice, we are happy to run PADI courses in small groups at a time to suit you.
Further Training
Diver training does not stop at Ocean Diver, as the club can train you through to BSAC Sports Diver, Dive Leader and even Advanced Diver qualifications.
We also run a range of skill development courses within the club including Boat Handling and Diver Coxswain qualifications.
Try Dives
You might like to have a go at SCUBA diving before undertaking training to find out whether this could be the sport for you.
If so why not get in touch with us and come and have a try-dive in a swimming pool? It is great fun and a good way to meet some club members before you decide to join.
If you would like to do a try dive, or to buy a try dive voucher as a gift for someone you know, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be super fit to be a diver?
Not at all. Although you do need to be medically fit and be a confident swimmer, we do not expect our members to be athletes.
Will I need to buy much equipment?
Not initially. The Club has several complete sets of SCUBA equipment which is available to trainees or for use on dive trips.
Once you are trained, we would normally expect members to buy their own gear, but you will have time to find out what kit will suit you best and ask advice from other club members.
Where can I get any equipment I may need to buy?
Second hand gear is normally for sale from other members or via eBay.
Alternatively, there are a number of dive shops which we can recommend or there are dive shows held a couple of times a year which can be a good source of bargains.
What does the training involve?
This depends on whether you are already a trained diver. If you are just starting out, training involves five practical lessons in the swimming pool and some theory lessons.
Once these have been completed, it is necessary to complete five open water lessons. All training is carried out by qualified instructors.
If you are already trained, we run a wide range of continuation training within the club, and can also put you in touch with BSAC regional courses or training run by other diving organisations.
Do you offer different levels of diver training?
Yes, following completion of your basic training, you can progress towards more advanced certification. This will train you to safely undertake more adventurous and complex diving.
We also offer a range of specialist courses such as boat handling and diver rescue training.
Can I use my qualifications on holiday?
Yes, diving qualifications provided by the Club are fully accredited and will be accepted worldwide.
Where do you go diving?
Most of our club diving takes place in the English Channel. The coastal waters off Eastbourne provide some excellent diving, especially on the wide variety of wrecks which are within easy access of Sovereign Harbour.
We also have the option of shallower dives on the Royal Sovereign Shoals and around Beachy Head. Club members also regularly organise diving holidays and trips.
Recent club trips have gone to destinations including Egypt, Malta and Scapa Flow.
I have a medical condition — will that prevent me from diving?
It depends what the condition is. You will be asked to complete a self-declaration medical form when you join the club and to update this on an annual basis.
If you answer yes to any of the questions on the form, you will be asked to visit a medical referee, who will assess whether you are fit to dive.
This does not mean you will be unable to dive — you will receive medical advice relevant to your particular circumstances. Click here to find out more.