Knutsford SAC is a branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club, the most prestigious recreational diver training organisation in the world. Training comprises practical pool lessons and theory sessions plus instructional dives in a sheltered open water environment. BSAC instruct affiliated Clubs to an age limit of 14 years old and between 14 years and 18 years old with parental consent. However, as Knutsford SAC are a very active club with many weekend dives comprising liveaboard boats and weeks away, our age limit is 18 years old. This is now under review and KSAC will soon be in a position to offer training to 14 to 18 year olds (please ask a committee member if this is something that would interest you).

The North West regional website of BSAC will inform you of what's going on within our region - just click the link  http://www.bsac-nw.org

Scuba diving is one of the greatest adventure sports in the World. We can organise a TRY DIVE in the pool which lasts approximately one hour and you will learn about scuba equipment, dive signals and receive a safety brief to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable underwater experience to discover if Scuba diving appeals to you. 

As stated above beginners can participate in a “TRY DIVE” session to see if you will like Scuba Diving.To try out a dive in the pool at Knutsford Leisure Centre will cost £15.00.We will provide all the required equipment, and a BSAC qualified instructor to safely guide you through this “TRY DIVE” which usually lasts around 1 hour. All you need to bring is your usual swimming gear and an old T shirt. However, if you have some shoe fins and a mask it would help us. If you don't then we can provide these to. To book a TRY DIVE go to the Contact KSAC page on this website or email info@knutsford-divers.co.uk and you will be emailed back with more information.

If you then want to progress further and open up a whole new underwater world then join our Club and begin your training for the first grade of BSAC structured courses – Ocean Diver. As Knutsford Sub-Aqua Club is affiliated to BSAC you must join BSAC which costs £50.00 per year April to April (if you join in any other month it’s pro-rata).This gives you the following benefits –Membership to the largest Diving Club in the world BSAC qualifications are internationally recognised. A free BSAC “DIVE” magazine every month.Third party insurance. Purchasing facility from the Members Mail shop.There are also other benefits such as special “BSAC Member rates” with the AA, Visa Card and Travel Insurance, as well as added benefits of the BSAC Travel Club.

There is also a £135.00 fee for –Your Ocean Diver training pack which includes your Diving Log Book, Qualification Card, Your Training Manuals and Maintenance of Club kit after you have used it. So, including your TRY DIVE the total cost to sign up for BSAC and commence training through qualifing as Ocean Diver will be in the region of £200. Good Value!

We at KSAC (Knutsford Sub-Aqua Club) will require you to join our Club also and pay a subscription of £10.00 per month.

This covers the following Club expenses –The use of Knutsford Leisure Centre pool every Tuesday between 9:00 and 10:00pm.The purchase and testing of Club equipment.The Clubs running expenses.

Whilst you are in training for your first qualification – Ocean Diver – KSAC will loan you all the basic Scuba equipment which will include –A full set of regulators. An air tank, buoyancy Control jacket. All required weights and weight belt.

When qualified we expect trainees to return these items in good condition so that we can use them for other trainee divers.

Your Ocean Diver training comprises of 7 theory lessons learning about all aspects of SCUBA diving, the affects on the body, safe practice, and how to enjoy diving etc. We then go through a multiple choice question exam as part of Ocean Diver qualification. There are also 5 pool lessons teaching you the basics of safe diving, as stated above we loan all the required equipment for these lessons so there is no need to buy expensive SCUBA gear at his stage. All we ask you to buy for the pool lessons are pool fins a mask and a snorkel. Once these have been complete we then progress onto open water training (see below). We still loan the basic equipment for the stage however, diving in British Waters will require the purchase of a Dry Suit, under suit, and other basic open water equipment. We can advise you on the type, make and where to purchase these items (you may get several opinions at this time). Once fully kitted up for open water you will need to achieve 5 qualifying dives. Once completed to our satisfaction you will be a qualified OCEAN DIVER we then take back all the loaned kit, get it maintained ready for the next trainee diver.

This is Capernwray Dive Centre one of three dedicated diver training sites KSAC use to train Divers for all levels of Diver training including Ocean Diver. All training sites have great facilities for divers. Other sites include Ecclestone Delph and Vivian in North Wales. All sites are a maximum of 20 metres and have various underwater attractions (some more than others) including fish, aircraft. sunken boats, helicopters etc to add interest for divers.

What then? - well that's up to you! - If you are happy to remain as an Ocean Diver, which has a depth limitation of 20 metres then by all means do so. There are plenty of "stunning" dives around our coast at this depth. However, there is also plenty more to see a little deeper too! so KSAC will train you the next stage, Sports Diver, and beyond to Dive Leader and Advanced Diver. These stages will only cost the price of additional log book certificates and additional course notes (about £22.00 for Sports diver and £32.00 for Dive Leader). Each stage adds another 15 metres to your depth but more importantly adds to your knowledge and enjoyment of SCUBA DIVING.  

Training underway for two new divers in Knutsford Pool. At KSAC we train all divers to the British Sub-Aqua Club syllabus both for the Theory and practical sessions. We then progress onto the Open water part of the training at Capernwray, Vivian or Ecclestone Delph all of which are inland and cater for the training of divers. When ready we progress into the Sea to really get the true experience of this fantastic sport of SCUBA diving.

Scuba diving is a sport that requires general physical fitness and good health. Anyone with a medical history of diabetes, blackouts (epilepsy etc), perforated ear drums, high blood pressure or heart disease, any lung or respiratory disorder (such as asthma) or dependence on drugs may not be able to dive safely and so must seek medical advice before contemplating taking up this sport, including a TRY DIVE. TRY DIVES are available on the understanding that the person taking part:

1. Consider themselves medically fit and do not suffer from any of the conditions above.

2. Will, in the interests of safety, comply with all the instructions given to them by the Instructor.

3. Are able to swim and be confident in the water.

Every precaution will be taken for the safety of visitors and KSAC reserves the right to terminate the TRY DIVE should there be any reason to doubt the fitness, ability or suitability to dive.

Please note the following KSAC & BSAC ruling on the Dorothea Quarry North Wales -

After a recent meeting between the owner of the Dorothea Quarry, Council officials and a representative from BSAC, the subject of using Dorothea for diving has, in the view of BSAC, not changed. As far as BSAC are concerned to dive the quarry without the owners permission means that any diving is outside the remit of BSAC and their Dive master insurance would become invalid. This being the case the committee of KSAC would strongly recommend that any of it's members do not dive Dorothea or use it for training. If any member/s do dive the quarry even with the owner permission (which by the way is very difficult to obtain) then they do so outside the control of KSAC and will not be deemed as a dive in anyway connected to KSAC. Please view the BSAC statement on their website - put Dorothea Quarry in the search area and you will find the BSAC statement.