British Sub-Aqua Club
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| Abbreviation | BSAC |
|---|---|
| Motto | Dive with friends |
| Formation | 15 October 1953 |
| Type | NGO |
| Legal status | Limited Guarantee Company incorporated in England |
| Purpose |
Recreational diving services, training and advocacy National governing body |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Location |
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Region served
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International |
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Membership
|
30,000 in 2009 |
|
President
|
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge |
|
Chairman
|
Alex Warzynski |
|
CEO
|
Mary Tetley |
|
Main organ
|
BSAC Council |
| Affiliations | EUF |
|
Staff
|
19 |
| Website | www |
The British Sub-Aqua Club or BSAC has been recognised since 1954 by the Sports Council as the national governing body of recreational diving in the United Kingdom.
The club was founded in 1953 and at its peak in the mid-1990s had over 50,000 members declining to over 30,000 in 2009. It is a diver training organization that operates through its associated network of around 1,100 local, independent diving clubs and around 400 diving schools worldwide. The logo (pictured right) features the Roman god Neptune (Greek god Poseidon), god of the sea.
BSAC is unusual for a diver training agency in that most BSAC instructors are volunteers, giving up their spare time to train others, unlike many other agencies, in which instructors are paid employees, or self-employed.
Given that UK waters are relatively cold and have restricted visibility, BSAC training is regarded by its members as more comprehensive than some. Specifically it places emphasis on rescue training very early in the programme. BSAC also maintains links with other organisations, such as NACSAC.
Science writer and science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke was a famous member of BSAC.
The current President of BSAC is the Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. His grandfather, Philip, father, Charles, and his brother, Harry all trained with BSAC.
For earlier events, see Oscar Gugen.
The BSAC is recognised by Sport UK as the National Governing Body (NGB) for ‘Sub Aqua’ within the United Kingdom. It has held this status since 1954. Sub Aqua (or Sub Aquatics) is a broad term that includes both recreational underwater activities such as recreational diving and snorkelling, and competitive underwater activities including underwater sports such as underwater hockey. It is also recognised by Sport England as the NGB for ‘Sub Aqua’ in England.
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