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.