My first four months as a new diver trainee.
I had been thinking of doing some scuba diving for a while, but had never done anything about it,
other than going on a snorkelling course as a basic start. When I was at Barton Leisure Centre I saw a poster
for the Barton Sub Aqua Club. I called the number and spoke to Paul, The Diving Officer, asking about doing a try dive,
he explained a little bit about the club etc, he said he would email around the instructors and that somebody would be
in touch. A few days later I received a call from Ross, he was very friendly, explained a bit about what to expect at
the try dive, talked about the club and most important, they went to the pub afterwards. I went on the following Wednesday,
Ross introduced himself, we got changed, and he showed me the equipment that we would use, explained a bit about it,
we got kitted up and went into the pool. He made me feel at ease, we finned up and down a couple of times, we dived
down at the deep end, and did some basic manoeuvres, it was great, I really enjoyed it. I was invited to join them for
a drink at the pub afterwards, where I met some more of the members, Paul explained to me that I would need to have a
medical, if I passed that I could join the club, and start the training. They where all very nice and I was made to feel
welcome, and I have not looked back since. I went to the pool on a Wednesday, till I had my medical, would go for a swim,
and was always invited to join them for a drink, even though at that time I was not a member. When I started my training,
I was encouraged to go at the pace that suited me, there is no set time to finish the pool training, some people adapt to
it betters than others. There is always somebody there to help and encourage you if you are struggling, which happened to
me the other week, I was struggling with my ditch and retrieve, everybody rallied around me. The club is professional,
there are procedures to follow and rules and regulations to adhere to. It is hard work, as well as the pool training there
are lectures to go to, before you go out to do an open water dive, but if you want to learn, and be safe as well, this is
the way to do it. There is also a good social side to the club, as well as the scuba diving, somebody is always arranging
a night out, be it to the theatre, or to a rock band, an email will go out to all members, asking if anybody is interested.
I was happy to join them, because I was made to feel welcome from the first night, I felt I had not just joined a scuba
diving club I had made a new family. The more you put into the club the more you will get out.