|
|
 |
Chris Powell - Advanced Diver
I have been a member of the club since 1992 and a committee member since 1993. Initially as Boat Officer when we had a RHIB that we towed to the coast. In 1997 I took on the role of Diving Officer for three years, I was chairman from April 2000 to April 2002.
I have completed all my dive training, within the branch, up to Advanced diver and I finished my instructor training in 2000 after spending five years as an assistant instructor. . |
 |
Lynda Rose - Dive Leader
I have been in the club for some years now .
I had always wanted to dive and I did a try dive about 2 years before joining WATSAC. It still took me a further 3 years before I managed to find the time, and a willing buddy (Keith), to undertake the training with me. My ambition on learning to dive was to dive in the Red Sea. We realised this ambition in October 2002.
Our expeditions abroad have, however, been quite limited. We have logged dives now in the Red Sea (once), Tobago (twice) and the Mediterranean. We have discovered the English Channel and the Scillies and are quite happy that much of our diving includes the wonderful sites which are well within reach of Taunton (suitable drive and boat ride away). We enjoy the camaraderie of club diving, not to mention the ongoing support with skills development, and the opportunity to share a passion with some like minded nutters . |
 |
Dai Jones - Dive Leader
My qualifications have enabled me to dive the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and of course UK waters. All have brought me great pleasure in different ways - I have seen amazing flora and fauna and have even managed to photograph some of them! I have also had the opportunity to meet many like-minded people from all over the world who started as "buddies" but became "friends". Long may it continue. I joined WATSAC and learned to dive in January 1995 as diving was a long held ambition of mine. I had always been a keen snorkeller but wanted to see more and stay longer under the water. I am now an assistant instructor and advanced Nitrox diver but took my time progressing from novice to sport diver and eventually to dive leader in 2002. No hurry - no worry!. |
 |
Helen Beer - Dive Leader
I started diving with Swansea University Dive Club in 1995 where I studied Marine Biology - I didn't see the point of studying something without being able to go diving and see it for myself! Once I'd tried it I was hooked, I've been diving ever since.
Most of my training was completed in South Wales, one very cold quarry in particular! Once qualified as novice diver I spent a week diving around Salcombe and did most of my early diving along the South Devon coast.
I joined WATSAC in December 2000 have since dived in Plymouth, Falmouth, Fowey, Turkey and the Scilly Isles.
I am currently a Dive Leader and assistant Instructor. This means I can help out with pool and theory instruction under the watchful eye of Open Water Instructors. Over the last 4 years I have been on the committee as Assistant Training Officer and Training Officer. TO is a hard job and now that I am no longer doing it I am focusing on having some fun dives and getting myself fully trained up as an instructor. The next step for me is to work on my boat handling so that I can skipper Dunribbin' and I will soon have completed the OWIC course, this is the next step to getting my Open Water Instructor qualification.
. |
 |
Sharon Stewart - Dive Leader
I started diving in 1989 with Wellington Sub Aqua Club. Although I enjoyed the come & try I did in the pool I wasn't sure if I was ready to commit to diving on a regular basis - however as Jock, my husband, decided to
go and purchase a complete set of equipment for me I didn't really have much choice but to continue. My training was over a number of weeks at Queens College, Taunton. The club at that time only had about 12
members; very few of them still remain in the club. I joined the committee around 1991 as membership
secretary and also produced a club newsletter for a number of years. I've also held the position of social
secretary. My early diving was done off the south coast in a RIB or from the shore, but later progressed to Hardboat diving when the club was lucky enough to get a lottery grant to build Dunribbin. Over the years I've enjoyed many diving trips with St Martins Dive Centre in the Isles of Scilly and now holiday out there two - three times a year. I've also dived in the Red Sea, Kenya, Mexico and Tobago. Any one that knows me will tell you that I'm definitely a fair weather diver and only do shallow diving. However I still love going out on the boat and appreciate the fact that the more experienced skippers have passed on their skills and knowledge to me to enable me to handle the boat while others go diving. I also love the social side of the club.. |
 |
Steve Hale - Sport Diver
I joined the club in October 2002 as I was going on holiday to Malta, I had heard that diving there was a must and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to dive.
From joining, it was apparent that new members are quickly made to feel welcome and are encouraged to join in, this must be the case as I am still here!
Happy Diving! . |
 |
Sue Bentley - Sport Diver
I joined WATSAC with John, my husband, in November 2002 because it was something I had always wanted to do. I was heading towards my 50th birthday and was planning a whole load of excuses to celebrate. The ultimate was to have a holiday in Egypt and dive in the Red Sea.
Having achieved this I was so glad I had completed my Ocean Diver before going. For me, learning to dive was far more challenging than I had imagined. I love the water and swim 3 times a week. By the time we dived in Hurgada we were able to know the basics of how to look after ourselves and our buddy safely. It was very difficult for those we saw doing the "fast track" PADI course once they got to the Red Sea.
I had dealt with a lot of my fears and having learnt basic skills, was able to relax and enjoy the whole experience. Now of course I am a true addict both to diving abroad, seeing all the wonderful sea creatures, you can only see in warmer climates but also the very unique experience that diving with a club in the UK offers.
We have had some fascinating dives off Plymouth and Falmouth as well as the Red Sea, Turkey and Gozo and Malta. I have got so much from WATSAC and want to be part of keeping it a healthy and prosperous club that that commitment from the members
. |
 |
Jock Stewart - Advanced Diver
Jock was actually born in Atlantis over a thousand years ago, escaping the cataclysm in a boat woven from his own chest hair. After a brief period in a 70's television show he found that as his looks began to fade, television work was hard to come by. His love for the sea brought him to WATSAC, but sadly he hasn't yet got around to writing a profile for the web page. . |
 |
Chris Beighton - Ocean Diver
After persuading my wife that our holiday in St Lucia would be worthwhile if I learned to dive before we went, I joined WATSAC in 2005 to train as an Ocean Diver. Thanks to some of the worst winter weather making dive trips difficult, I didn't learn in time for the holiday, finally qualifying as OD in August of 2006. |
 |
Richard Lindner - Dive Leader
I learned to dive with another local club, Taunton Flag, in 1995. Some of my most memorable diving was in Scapa Flow when I was still a novice! Since then I've progressed to Dive Leader and Asst. Club Instructor and help with Club Diver training when I can. I have dived with other club members on holiday in the Red Sea, Florida and of course on the annual trip to the Scilly Isles where the diving is every bit as good.
I try to dive from Dunribbin' regularly through the season and this year will probably concentrate on doing the BSAC Boat Handling course and progressing my training to become a Skipper on Dunribbin'.
. |
 |
Martin Hiett - "Nearly a Dive Leader"
I have been a member of the club for over 2 years now so I now want to put something back into the club. Last year I assisted Helen with the training.
I am also the second electrician so I have helped Simon with some of the wiring on the boat.
I have racked up well over 50 dives enjoying every minute. Also a trip to the Isles of Scilly (a must visit).
I have enjoyed helping out on the Club's 'come and try's' because I like to see the enjoyment of others who have conquered a challenge they thought not possible. |
 |
John Bentley - Sport Diver
I've been diving since Nov 2002. My diving so far has been in the South West (from Dunribbin), South Wales (shore), Malta (shore), Gozo (shore) Turkey and Red Sea (boat and shore). Recently I have been trying my hand at underwater photography.
. |
 |
Diane Jones - Dive Leader
Diana's fascination with sealife began when she was born as a mermaid, kissed by a prince and made the natural transition from sea to land. Unfortunately things didn't work out when the prince in question pricked his thumb on a spiny crab and went to sleep for a thousand years. Diana then went back to the sea in the only way she could, as a diver with WATSAC. One day she'll get around to writing a profile for the web page as well.
. |
 |
Joanne Beighton - Ocean Diver
Once Chris had joined WATSAC, the pressure to 'have a go' became too much for Jo and despite being extremely reluctant, she agreed to take it 'one step at a time'. Following a try dive, then a WATSAC course and a number of sea dives, Jo was able to join her husband in diving in Antigua and is now a qualified Ocean Diver |
| Dilys Millard - Ocean Diver
Like Sue & John, I am one of the more mature trainees. It is something I have always fancied, but family life and other priorities came first. Now there is time to indulge a little. I've taken the training slowly, but have now clocked up some dives in Malta and the Scillies as well as those off Dunribbin. Now qualified and looking forward to more diving with the club and abroad. |
