Club History

ClubBoat01.jpg

 

Cleveland Divers was formed as a branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club in January 1978 by eleven local divers. The first committee consisted of a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and a Diving Officer.

By May 1978 membership of the Club had increased to eighteen members and a pool session had been arranged at Saltburn Leisure Centre, where it continues to this day.

At the end of the first year the membership had grown to twenty eight and the Club purchased its first two complete sets of pool training equipment

Among those early members who are still associated with the Club are Jeff Thurlwell, Bob Hunter and Steve Paige - a founder member.

The Club purchased its first boat in 1984, a 4.75 metre Humber Inflatable with a 40hp Mariner outboard engine. The Club continued to prosper and in 1992, with the aid of a Sports Council grant, the boat was replaced by a 6.5metre R.I.B with a 150 hp outboard engine. It was fully equipped with an echo sounder, GPS, VHF radio and an Oxygen Resuscitation set. In 2009 this boat was sold and replaced with a 5.5m Humber Destroyer with 90 etec Evinrude from club funds.

Over the years the club has trained a large number of divers. Today there are approximately forty members who are qualified to different levels, from Ocean Diver, the first step up the ladder, to the BSAC First Class Diver. Not only do members enjoy their diving, but the Branch has a number of qualified Diving Instructors who are able to train new members in the pool and open water. Ten full sets of SCUBA equipment are available for use in the pool by new members while receiving Ocean Diver Training.
In 2009 the Club received a grant for try dives and purchased another 5 new sets of pool equipment. All instructors passed enhanced CRB checks.

At the present time, an elected Committee oversee the smooth running of the club with additional help given by enthusiastic branch members.