Pool training: We take you through a swimming test (don't worry if you are not a strong swimmmer, being an Olympic athlete is not a prerequisite for taking up diving). We teach you to snorkel correctly and efficiently and introduce you gradually to the equipment and skills that will become second nature to you. This is mixed with Lectures giving you the theory behind the practical skills that you are being taught. Open Water Training: Once you have reached the required level you will put your skills to the test in the Open Water. Once you have completed all the training you will be a Scottish Sub-Aqua Sport Diver.

This is your passport to dive anywhere in the world!!!

The training on average will, because we are a voluntary club, take about a year from your swimming test to being fully qualified. The training itself is FREE, the membership costs are covered later. If you are an experienced diver qualified by another organisation then we can let you know individually what you need to do to qualify as a Scottish Sub-Aqua Diver.

There are more advanced diver grades and supplementary qualifications, such as Oxygen Administration and Enriched Air Nitrox, that can be gained and worked towards once you are a Sport Diver.

To join the club, you have to join the Scottish Sub-Aqua Club - details, including current fees and membership application and diving medical forms, can be found on their website - www.scotsac.com - or just ask and we can provide the information and forms. For your ScotSAC membership you get your Third Party Insurance, Qualification Book, Log Book, Certification Card, Sport Diving Manual (£17 in the shops) and a copy of the quarterly issued Scottish Diver - The magazine for divers in Scotland.

The rates for joining the Stirling Sub-Aqua Club Branch are laid out below with a one off joining fee of £30. These rates are for a full year April to April. If your are joining part way through the year please ask us and we will let you know the rate at that time.

Single membership. £80
Joint membership. £130

So what are you actually paying for I hear you ask!

Well, as mentioned earlier the training is free. The membership fees go to pay towards the hire of the pool, you DO NOT pay any extra each week for use of the pool. The use of the equipment is free in the pool, there is a nominal charge, maximum £10, each time you need to borrow equipment for use in the open water. It helps to pay for the up-keep of the equipment and our compressor. Having our own compressor is great as we don't need to pay for air fills.

There are some good answers on the ScotSAC Website but here are the common ones:

How old do I need to be?
At present our club can take anybody from the age of 16 years and over.

How much does the equipment cost?
Initially for the pool training all you will require is a Mask, Snorkel and Pool Fins. A Mask will cost £30-£50, a Snorkel £5-£20 and Fins £15-£50. As we mentioned earlier the cost of using the equipment is free in the pool. we do have a limited amount of masks etc. that you can borrow but it is better to have your own. Equipment costs can vary enourmously depending on what you buy, but very good second-hand equipment can be bought.

Is it not too cold and is there anything to see?
Scotland is a diver's paradise, visited by divers from all over the world. A combination of clear waters, abundant sea-life and a multitude of shipwrecks make it an ideal location for scuba diving. Conditions do vary a lot with the weather, particularly the wind, but on a good day it is unbeatable. The water temperature varies from 14°C (September) to 6°C (March), which we admit may seem cold but you wear adequate thermal protection for the conditions.

We meet at The Peak - Stirling Sport Village on Forthside Way each Thursday from 8pm - 9.30pm Afterwards we go to the Allan Park Hotel, Allan Park near the Carlton Bingo in Stirling for a few drinks. (This social aspect, you will learn is an integral part of scuba diving).