4.4 Inter-branch Liaison

Clidive boasted two regional coaches during 2019 with Gillian Bell in London Region and Phil Page the SDCO in Eastern Region. Clidive members benefitted from regional courses and facilities in both areas and both regions benefitted from access to Clidive instructors, facilities and equipment.

Gillian’s role as London Region Coach matched perfectly her role as Clidive’s Diver Development Officer as we looked to focus on developing a robust programme for existing divers in 2019 and beyond. The programme of joint regional events for SDCs, Dive Leader and Advanced Divers that has been established will continue to benefit Clidive and other BSAC branches in our region: “As the regional coach in London I am 100% reliant on clubs for the use of their facilities, equipment and instructors. Clidive has allowed me to host three regional SDCs at their Thursday club nights. I have also used the club’s van and equipment for the first Central London IFC, and for several open water training days. My regional coach activities have brokered mutually beneficial relationships to form between London clubs. Outside of the formal regional events, Ariel, Imperial, Putney and Clidive have all opened up their club events to each other. This has led to these clubs formally taking ownership for some regional events in 2020.”

4.4.1 Normandy 75

Clidive member Ben Jaffey was one of the national organisers for the BSAC Normandy 75 expedition. When First Class Diver candidate Nick Barter took the lead for Clidive’s Normandy 75 expedition he was soon involved in the wider planning, in particular for the three clubs (Ariel, Clidive and LUEC) taking their RIBs to Ouistreham. Local air supplies were proving a real problem. “I eventually organised the hire of five compressors and we shared out their transport with the other clubs. Phil Page collected two from Tyneside SAC while running Clidive’s St Abbs trip, and these were later returned by LUEC. Ariel SAC transported one compressor to and from Ipswich, and I transported two from east London. Gillian provided last minute compressor training to Ariel at the BBC’s Broadcasting House. A few Clidivers found themselves doing compressor theory on the ferry over and practical training was provided to all who still needed it by Gillian and Ben after diving on day one. It was a real team effort.”

Nick also shared his FCD expedition plan with the other clubs. It was full of information on dive sites, lock times and estimated slack times, and was well received. The strong relationship built with Ariel has been good for London Region and Ariel are fully involved in Gillian’s plans for 2020. We have also been delighted to meet up on a couple of social occasions and we still talk about the great trip we all had.

4.4.2 Lake District Trip

This trip was made possible by the help of the Kendal branch, whose members came out specially to fill our tanks from their compressor and helped us with invaluable local advice.

4.4.3 Lecture Series

One of the successes of the open Clidive Lecture Series has been bringing together members from different BSAC branches to hear about issues we all have an interest in, whether its conservation, archaeology or wreck diving. We don’t keep an exact record, but we know seven branches were at the photography evening and more branches were represented at the other evenings.

Practical compressor training for Ariel SAC in Normandy