About the Club:

Welcome to the Dorking Snorkelling Club, a branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC).

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

Time and Place of Meetings

We meet at the Dorking Sports Centre, Reigate Road, Dorking 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. The terms are stated on Key Dates 2008.

What we are

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.

What Happens

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:

·         Basic Snorkel Diver

·         Snorkel Diver

·         Ocean Snorkel Diver

·         Advanced Ocean Snorkel Diver

·         Snorkel Dive Marshall

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

Basic training is also given in first-aid, rescue and resuscitation techniques by a qualified St John’s Ambulance Instructor.

During the summer months, the club organises day trips and long weekends to the coast, so that open water skills can be taught and tested. These trips are usually supported by the club’s own motor boat, which allows a greater range of dive sites to be explored.

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. A number of social functions are also held during the year including a Xmas party (at the pool) and a disco.

Joining the Club

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).

Membership fees are £43 per term, but this discounted to £40 as long as you pay by the second session of each term.

You must also become a member of the British Sub Aqua Club, within 6 weeks of joining us. This costs £15 per annum 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.

Snorkelling equipment is available on load for up to one term. A refundable £35 deposit is required.

For those over 18, we expect very rapid progression, and it is hoped that they will be able to assist in some pool duties and instruction after a few months.

Equipment

The club will provide you with basic equipment (mask, snorkel, fins) for your first few sessions. 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 snorkellers, and those planning much open water snorkelling, a wet suit is needed. The club has only a very limited number of these to loan and it is therefore likely that you will have to provide your own suit. Wet suits can be hired from most 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 good 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.

All your own equipment should be marked with your name.

Odds and Ends

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.

Rules and Regulations

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.

Club Committee and Contacts

We do hope you enjoy being a member of Dorking Snorkelling Club.

Send mail to webmaster@dorkingsnorkellingclub.org.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2008 Dorking Snorkelling Club
Last modified: January 20, 2008