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West Lothian Sub Aqua Club
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"One morning in 1936 at Le Mourillon,
near Toulon, I waded into the Mediterranean and looked into it through
Fernez goggles. I was a regular Navy gunner, a good swimmer interested
only in perfecting my crawl style. The sea was merely a salty obstacle
that burned my eyes. I was astounded by what I saw in the shingle at
Le Mourillon, rocks covered with green, brown and silver forests of
algae and fishes unknown to me, swimming in crystalline water. Standing
up to breathe I saw a trolley car, people, electric light poles. I put
my eyes under again and civilisation vanished with one last bow. I was
in a jungle never seen by those who floated on the opaque roof." |
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SCUBA DIVING IN SCOTLAND |
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 In
the past few years many people have become armchair divers following
television programmes. Possibly these programmes have stirred notions
of a desire to experience such marvels at first hand, to boldly go where
very few have gone before. However, most of the exotic locations featured
in programmes about the undersea world are invariably half way round
the world and far out of reach to the ordinary person.
There is however a large and active diving community very much closer
to home, in Scotland, diving year round. But isn't diving in Scotland
far too cold/dull/murky and uninteresting?
Certainly not.
While it is true that the water temperature around our coast cannot be considered tropical, correctly equipped the temperature certainly poses no real problem. And contrary to popular belief, the sea life of the Scottish Coast is extremely abundant and varied, not to mention colourful, and in addition there is a myriad of interesting wrecks scattered about the rocky coastline that are easily accessible to divers. There is no reason to consider diving in Scotland to be second rate, of no real comparison with more tropical waters. Many divers come to Scotland from all over the world to dive on our wrecks and off our coasts. Properly equipped diving in Scotland is as rewarding as many more exotic locations. |
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Who are the Scottish Sub-Aqua Club, and why should you join? ScotSAC are the governing body for the sport in Scotland. This means that they are the organisation that is recognised, and financially assisted, by sportscotland. In return the Club, through its structure of extensive local branch network, provides to its members a recognised source of expert training in all aspects of both snorkeling and aqualung diving, appropriate to diving in Scottish waters. In addition the Club provides Public Liability Insurance, a well equipped library and issues a bi-monthly magazine, The Scottish Diver. How To JoinTo join ScotSAC, contact your nearest local Branch, at the address given at the end of this page or go to The Scottish Sub Aqua Club web site. The ScotSAC membership fees are currently £46.00 per year for an individual, which includes subscription to the magazine. Separate subscription levels are available for couples, families, students and junior members. There are of course other organisations, generally controlled in England or even further afield that provide adequate diving training and instruction, but we have found that in general Scottish people prefer to belong to a Scottish organisation.Training RequirementsPrior to starting aqualung training, the club requires new members to undertake a medical. Medical forms are provided with the starter pack provided on joining the Club. West Lothian Branch does organise regular "come and try" sessions, and it is permissible to take the initial swimming tests and to try some snorkeling prior to having your medical. Following this, training progresses through basic pool work and into the sea, first in shallow, sheltered water progressing to more typical diving conditions. Concurrent with this you must also attend a series of lectures. ScotSAC prides itself on its safety record, and only with regular attendance at both pool and lecture training will you develop the skills necessary for safe and enjoyable diving. | |
WHY JOIN West Lothian?Having made the decision to take up diving, or possibly having decided that you might wish to take up diving, you are faced with the question of exactly how to go about it. Clearly there are many sound reasons, not least safety considerations, for pursuing the sport under the auspices of a recognised diving organisation such as the Scottish Sub-Aqua Club, but it is true to say that any branch of ScotSAC will offer the same high standards of training and safety.So why join West Lothian?The branch is certainly well established, and has a current membership of approximately sixty people of all ages and sexes. Small enough so that you are not just a number, large enough to provide experience, expertise and continuity. Over the last 45 years the branch has progressed from strength to strength.ExperienceWhat all this means in practice that we have a good mix of trained, experienced divers in the club, both to help with training and, almost as importantly, ensure that the social dimension of the club is maintained.Qualified InstructorsWithin the branch there are many qualified instructors and experienced divers to assist with training, of key importance when it comes to quickly and confidently progressing through your training and onto your initial qualification. At the same time you can rest assured that the pace at which you progress through your training will be your own and no one else.EquipmentIn addition the branch is very well equipped in terms of facilities and equipment, for use by both trainees and experienced divers. We have a large compressor for filling cylinders installed in the local community centre, and a portable compressor for those weekends away. We also have a well maintained stock of diving equipment, which is used for training and also hired at a nominal cost by Branch members. This means that you can progress through your initial training and actually try diving in the sea before you commit yourself to buying too much of your own equipment. This cannot always be said of other branches, and is something that is worth careful consideration. Once you have decided that diving is for you, our stock of equipment allows our new divers to buy their equipment gradually, minimising the impact such purchases May have on your pocket.Branch LevyThe maintenance of this stock of equipment is financed through branch fund-raising and an annual branch levy. While it is possible to find branches which have smaller levies, most, particularly those with any appreciable stock of equipment will charge significantly more.
Regular DivingThe size of the branch and the number of trained people mean that trainees and less experienced divers have ample opportunity to dive regularly, as there are nearly always sufficient experienced buddies available. West Lothian has a dive expedition virtually every week, year round.ExpeditionsIn addition there are regular branch expeditions further afield, both in this country and abroad. In previous years we have had expeditions to the Red Sea, Ireland, Malta, Gozo, Sardinia, Lanzarotte, the Maldives and numerous other locations throughout the world. But why not judge for yourself. We meet regularly atNew Bathgate Swimming Pool
every Tuesday from 8.00 pm until 9:30 pm. We can generally arrange a come and try session at the pool, which is usually enough to wet the appetite for more. Hopefully we will see you at the pool, and we can pass on some of our enthusiasm for the sport. We are sure that you will grow to love the sport, just as we have. | |
TYPICAL EQUIPMENT COSTSIn order to start your basic pool training, you will probably want to purchase a few basic items, as follows:- |
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Basic Snorkel Equipment
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The Branch does have a stock of these items, and we would discourage you from making any purchase prior to discussing the matter with people at the club. Following your basic pool training, as you progress to open water training you will require a few more items of equipment. |
Diving Equipment
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It may be possible to borrow a suit from a dry-suit owner for your first few dives, but this is of course dependent on your size and availability. The Branch does have a stock of weights, belts and gloves. |
As you continue your open water training you will gradually build up your equipment. Typical costs for these are:- |
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| Cost does not necessarily reflect quality when it comes to equipment. We strongly recommend discussing proposed purchases with an experienced Branch member. It is quite likely someone in the Branch has the equipment you are considering and May let you try it. If not, there May well be a good reason. We have a list of recommended equipment here. | |
The Branch has arranged for an advantageous discount for our members
from the local dive shop below. Remember to take some proof of your
membership when you go. Ask for Alan, who is always helpful.
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 Click on their logo to visit the FYM web site |
FORTH
YACHT MARINA 4-6 South Lumley Street GRANGEMOUTH FK3 8BT tel. 01324 665071 |
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The nationally recognised governing body for scuba diving in Scotland is |
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The Scottish Sub
Aqua Club. |
| Supported by sportscotland. |
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If you have any corrections, comments or suggestions e-mail us.
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