This page will provide you with all the information you need to know about the club.

We meet at the Dorking Sports Centre, Reigate Road, Dorking, RH4 1SW on Sunday mornings. There are two pool sessions from 8:00am to 8:45am and 8:45am to 9:30am. Allow 10 minutes before your session is due to start. We meet in school term time and break for half term. Click here to view the dates for this year. They are also posted on the notice board at the Sports centre.

The club exists to teach young and old how to enjoy safely the sport of snorkelling, and to introduce you to the fantastic world under the sea, which you can view from close to the surface.

The club training is based on progressing through a series of "learning how to" exercises. Theory lectures are given to complement practical sessions in the pool (much of this is similar to topics covered in Physics and Biology at school). Advancement occurs at your own pace, through several grades:

Only very highly skilled and competent snorkellers achieve this highest qualification.

There are also opportunities to train as Instructors and Assistant Instructors. We run Assistant Instructor courses within the branch and facilitate attendance at regional instructor courses.

In addition for those who just want to learn the basics of snorkelling safely we run a short holiday snorkelling course. Please click here for more information.

Many students have used Snorkelling as part of their DoE award. It can also be used in the Scouts and Guides water sports badges as well as part of GCSE Physical Education. Click here for information.

During the summer months, the club organises day trips and long weekends for open water expeditions, so that open water skills can be taught and tested. These trips are usually supported by the club’s own RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat), which allows a greater range of dive sites to be explored.

We visit a variety of Open water sites including sheltered inland reservoirs such as Wraysbury, the sea at places such as Pagham and the Dorset coast. Transport is not provided and parents are welcome to join us on the shore when they bring their children.

Outside of the summer months, the club organises various outdoor activities designed to complement the skills needed for snorkelling – this has included map reading, boat handling, orienteering and rock climbing.

We also hold a Christmas party each year which consists of a fun in pool session, often using the pool’s inflatable, with food and a quiz afterwards.

The minimum membership requirements are that you are at least 8 years old and have the ability to swim 100 metres comfortably (using a front stroke) and have completed a medical declaration form.

Membership fees are £45 per term, but there is a penalty of £5 if you do not by the second session of each term.

You must also become a member of the British Sub-Aqua Club, after your first try dive. This currently costs £16 per annum as a snorkelling member and includes your BSAC log book. The Log Book is your personal record of your achievements. It is your job to get it signed up whenever you complete a test. You will also need to show it to the Training Officer to allow the club’s training records, which are kept on computer, to be updated.

You can also purchase a snorkelling manual (£8 – standard, £15 – colour) and a club badge (£1.50). The manual contains all the information you will need about snorkelling.

For more information or to arrange a try dive please email our membership secretary;

membership@dorkingsnorkellingclub.org.uk

Alternatively if you'd rather phone or apply by post please download our 'learn to snorkel' leaflet.

The club will provide you with basic equipment (mask, snorkel, fins) for your first few sessions. Snorkelling equipment is available on loan for up to one term. A refundable £35 deposit is required.

Once you have settled in, you will be expected to obtain your own. Before purchasing any equipment, it is recommended that you talk to any of the instructors, for advice. You will also learn the basics of equipment choice and maintenance early in your training.

For the more advanced snorkelers, and those planning open water snorkelling, a wet suit is needed. The club does not keep a stock of wet suits so you will have to provide your own suit. Wet suits can be hired from many dive shops, and you may consider doing this before making the commitment of purchasing one. Children out growing their wet suits each year can be a problem, although there is usually a supply of "hand me down" suits available at reasonable cost from other club members.

Other equipment required for open water snorkelling, such as life jackets and weight belts, are normally provided by the club.

Please mark all your own equipment with your name.

The club is entirely run by volunteers. All instructors and committee members give their time freely and for the benefit of the club without claiming expenses.

Members and parents are encouraged to volunteer to help the club. Examples of how you can help include helping to organise the our trips, the club’s Christmas party, assist with looking after equipment, helping on the reception desk and publicity. If you have any particular skills such as website design we’d be particularly keen to hear from you. Our Volunteer coordinator will be happy to talk to you about the volunteering opportunities.

This Club has the safety and safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, as a primary importance.

We have a full policy on safeguarding young and vulnerable people based upon BSAC's guidelines.

We are committed to providing an environment where young people can learn and participate in a sport free from harassment and abuse. All those people working with children have a moral and social responsibility to safeguard and promote a child's safeguarding. This Club follows the BSAC Safeguarding Policy to ensure peace of mind for both children and adults. Click here to see a one page summary.

All instructors/club representatives, over 18 years of age, in direct contact with club members have been Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checked and we have a dedicated club Welfare Officer.

We make efforts to keep members informed of developments and plans. Please check the notice board and also the front desk on Sunday’s. In addition, all major notices are also sent by email. Please ensure that we have your up to date email details.

Snorkellers should bring their Log Books to every session and get it signed by your instructor each time you complete a test. If possible, keep your Log Book in a waterproof plastic bag or case.

We do need to make a few rules and regulations, amongst which are:

1. For insurance purposes, every person must sign a register before each session.

2. Do not snorkel if you have a cold, earache or similar condition.

3. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to bring children on time and pick them them up promptly.

4. All members are expected to treat each other with respect. In particular children are expected to conform to BSAC's Behavioural standards for children.