About Us
Who we are
The British Sub Aqua Club was formed in 1953. Since then, the BSAC has grown to include hundreds of branches and thousands of members in the UK and worldwide.
Formed in 1953, the Bristol branch of the BSAC was the third branch to be recognised as part of this organisation.
Our official name is “The Bristol Diving Club” but we're also affectionately known as “Bristol No3”
Our membership is quite diverse and brings people together from all walks of life across all age ranges, from as far as Swindon, Taunton and Cheltenham.
Our Club House
Where we meet
Monday night is our club night (excluding bank holidays). We have a one hour pool session between 7:30pm – 9pm at the St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School swimming pool followed by a general get together from 9pm onwards at our Clubhouse.
Our Clubhouse is situated in the Cumberland Basin, sandwiched between the River Avon and the Floating Harbour. It was opened by the Lord Mayor of Bristol in 1967 and is currently leased from Bristol City Council.
From the outside it may look like a large shed, but this deceptively small building actually covers a total area of about 100 square meters.
Club members regard this facility as a real bonus, not only does it provides us with a meeting place, it enables the club to have a real identity.
The Clubhouse is fully equipped with facilities that include toilets, heating, lecture facilities and a sophisticated commercial alarm system.
Equipment
Air Compressor
Our Club is one of the few Bristol Clubs that owns it's very own Air and Nitrox Compressor system. Fully tested, insured and capable of filling cylinders up to 300 bar.
Club members, once trained, have FREE use of this facility.
With shops charging around £4 or more for a fill, it doesn't take long to recoup the cost of your membership!
Club Boat
A Humber destroyer 6.5m rib. Fitted with a 140hp V4 outboard, state-of-the-art GPS navigation and Sonar Echo systems, a comprehensive array of essential safety equipment including VHF radio, Flares, Dive recall system.
Training Equipment
The club has 6 sets of scuba equipment that's dedicated to pool training.
Lectures are enhanced by digital multimedia presentation, and First Aid training is made as realistic as possible with the aid of two modern resuscitation mannequins.
Membership
Requirements
The club has an active equal opportunities policy and accepts members from all walks of life. All that we ask is that a perspective member can swim two lengths of the pool (freestyle) and be able to complete a self certification medical declaration
Unlike some clubs, we actively encourage and train young people, between the ages of 12 - 80 years old. Although we do require a parent or guardian to accompany an under 16 year old on diving trips.
Costs
Benefits
Some of the membership benefits that you will enjoy as a BSAC Club member are:
Third Party liability Insurance cover to £5 million.
Monthly issue of Dive magazine delivered to your door.
Free Training by nationally qualified instructors.
Access to specialist training courses
BSAC Membership is between £16 - £54 per year depending on age and Dive Grade.
Membership of our diving club is £105 per year.