About the club
Club Equipment
The Club
The club was formed in the 1960's and has approximately 40 members, coming from Thurso, Wick and the Caithness villages. The club premises are in Park Lane, Thurso where we have a compressor, nitrox mixing station and equipment store.
During 2009, the club expects to relocate to new premises at Neil Gunn Drive, Henderson Street, Thurso. This facility is currently under construction. Once completed it will house the clubs 6.5m RIB, Hagar, as well as our compressors, nitrox mixing station and other equipment. It will have washroom, kitchen and training facilities.
The club has a regular meeting at 8PM on the second Monday evening of each month. The venue alternates between the Holborn Hotel in Thurso and the Nethercliffe Hotel in Wick.
In CDC we have wreck divers, photographers, cave divers, folk who just like a nice bit of scenery and others who are just after something for the pot. Experience-wise, we have everyone from people who only started their training last year through to old hands who have been diving for decades.
Probably one of the best aspects of club diving is that you can meet divers with a wide range of interests, different experience levels and slightly different ways of doing things. You can always ask for advice, maybe try out something new or simply get ideas on how to rig up your kit.
Joining
Training and Membership details can be obtained from :
Ian Mackay (Training Officer) ian@killimster.com
or Hugh Mackay (Secretary) hugh@mackayunderwater.co.uk
The club welcomes both complete ‘newbies’ and qualified / experienced divers aged 18 or above.
‘Newbies’
Training arrangements vary depending on numbers. Arrangements for group or single training can be arranged through discussion. The club does not operate a specific ‘training night’ or period but is happy to try and accommodate any requirements.
Qualified divers
The club is affiliated to BSAC but welcomes divers qualified by other training agencies. Crossover courses are organised as required to align a divers training with an appropriate BSAC qualification level eg drysuit training or rescue skills.
Membership forms can be printed from the Downloads section of this website.
Training
Trydives
Trydives are often the way in which new members are introduced to the world of scuba diving. Usually Caithness Diving Club holds such an event during January or February. 'Trydivers' who wish to continue into formal training are then taken through the Ocean Diver training syllabus with the aim of making their first sheltered dive in the sea around mid April.
The club accepts new members at any time during the year. Training needs for new members can vary significantly, ranging from a quick refresher course through to full diver training.
The club will arrange training as required.
The club has qualified instructors able to deliver a range of courses and training 'in-house'.
Ocean Diver, Sports Diver, Dive Leader.
Crosssover courses for members coming from non-BSAC background.
Specialist courses : Boat Handling, Diver Cox, Nitrox, Oxygen Administration.
Membership Rates & benefits
| CDC | £52 / year. Full diving member. | |
| BSAC | £50 / year. | complete BSAC membership rates |
Benefits of membership
Comprehensive training schemes : BSAC has been teaching people to dive for over 50 years so has a well established training scheme. As well as training schemes within branches, the Regional Coaching teams organise training events open to all suitably qualified members.
Internationally recognised qualifications : Almost as internationally recognised as PADI, BSAC qualifications are accepted at almost all continental diving centres. Although your qualifications are recorded in a log book, BSAC also have qualification and membership cards similar to PADI cards.
A range of diving manuals and training materials : BSAC have compiled various manuals covering all levels of training and instruction and all of the training courses are supported by well developed and thorough student notes.
Dive Magazine : A monthly magazine produced by BSAC covering topical issues, new equipment reviews, courses and updates to diving procedures.
3 rd Party Insurance : All BSAC members are covered by 3 rd party insurance and will receive support (legal & technical) fromBSAC if something ever does go wrong.
General Support : Help and advice are always available for clubs and individuals from BSAC HQ if you need it. There is a club website at www.bsac.com which has a lot of free resources and an online shop for manuals, deco tables, BSAC clothing etc.
Social : You’ll meet lots of interesting people in Caithness Diving Club and they’ll all share an interest in floundering around in the sea !!
Club Equipment
