St Ives Sub Aqua Club
BSAC 0833 • Cambs SCUBA Diving Club, Since 1975
Ocean Diver Course 2026/7
Ocean Diver is the first level of diver qualification in the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) series of courses; and will equip you with the core skills to dive to a maximum of 20 metres in open water, in the UK and abroad. Follow on courses to Sports Diver, Dive Leader and Advanced Diver obviously extend and amplify your skills to dive to deeper depths and under more challenging scenarios. And as a Club we can provide instruction to achieve these qualifications but these are obviously for the longer term.
Class of 2026 first open water day
The Course
-
Theory Lessons:
These cover essential knowledge for diving, including adapting to the underwater world, the effects of diving on the body, going diving, dive planning, what to do in various situations, and enjoying your diving. -
Sheltered Water Lessons:
These practical lessons, typically in a swimming pool, focus on developing fundamental diving skills such as achieving neutral buoyancy, basic diving and rescue procedures, and handling equipment. An optional dry suit training session can be included. -
Open Water Lessons:
These four lessons introduce you to open water diving in locations like lakes or the sea, building upon the skills learned in the pool and allowing you to gain experience under instructor guidance to a depth of 20 meters. -
Assessments:
A theory assessment tests your understanding of the course material, and a basic swimming assessment ensures you have the necessary water comfort and stamina.
Dates
-
The course will start at 7pm in the Green Room at the St Ivo Leisure Centre, Westwood Road, St Ives, PE27 6WU, on Sunday 6th Sep 2026. After the first introductory lesson of about 45mins, we then get changed for you to do a swimming test in the pool from 8.15pm onwards: this is just a swim of 200 m to make sure you are comfortable in the water. So the evening will finish easily by 9pm. You will then be welcome to join us at the Wetherspoons pub in St Ives for a drink and a chat.
-
Theory lessons and pool sessions will then continue over the subsequent weeks at the same times (7pm Sundays). The precise timetable is dependant on student and instructor availability, with the aim to get all students ready for the Open Water elements of the course in early spring 2027.
Cost
-
To take the courses students must be members of the national organisation, BSAC and the St Ives Sub Aqua Club (SISAC). Both incur membership costs paid directly to BSAC:
SISAC - £85
BSAC - £62.50.
-
The course then costs £200 and covers all instruction, equipment usage and student training materials.
-
Day fees of £20 - £27 for open water training sessions at Stoney Cove or Guildenburgh Water,and associated gas fills are payable on the day by the student.