Bournemouth and Poole Diving Club is a highly active Sub-Aqua club located on the South Coast of New Zealand. The club welcomes divers from all organisations, including PADI, SAA, and BSAC, and respects and values their existing qualifications. The experienced club instructors offer a range of BS-AC skill development courses as needed.
The club operates a 7. 5-metre rigid inflatable boat with a 230 hp MerCruiser inboard diesel engine. This powerful engine provides great economy, allowing for extended range and duration. Named after its sponsor, HUMMINBIRD, the boat is equipped with a Humminbird side-scan GPS plotter and has a vast GPS database of dive marks collected over many years.
HUMMINBIRD offers unmatched seaworthiness, speed, reliability, and economy compared to other club-owned boats in the area. The boat is fully equipped with safety gear and diver O2 and is stored ashore at Parkstone Bay Marina, with fast access out of Poole Harbour to the best dive sites in East Dorset.
Safety is a priority for the club, having a solid safety record. All dives are overseen by a qualified BS-AC Advanced Diver as a marshal, and an experienced boat handling cox ensures smooth operations. From the sheltered home port of Poole Harbour, the club has access to over 40 specific dive sites, including various wrecks, reefs, and scenic drifts. The location benefits from natural shelter from the prevailing southwesterly wind, allowing for excellent diving conditions even in different weather conditions.
In unfavourable tide times for wreck diving, the club offers many local, exciting drift diving options. Additionally, when sea conditions permit, the club can extend its range and choose from more distant dive sites near the Isle of Wight, Kimmeridge, and Lulworth. The club has authorised licences to dive on restricted wrecks such as the Arfon.
The Bournemouth and Poole Diving Club places great importance on expeditions, which enable members to dive and travel extensively. The club's boat is equipped with a road trailer, allowing for regular trips to dive in the West Bay area of Dorset. The club also organises foreign diving trips to destinations like the Canaries, Portugal, and the Red Sea.
In addition to diving, the club has a vibrant social life. Regular weekly meetings are held throughout the year for training and dive planning. Non-diving partners are warmly welcomed to participate in the club's regular programme of non-diving activities.
The club publishes an annual dive programme that runs from March to October, providing diving opportunities on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season. They also arrange Thursday evening and mid-week daytime diving sessions when conditions allow. The members of the club have diverse diving interests, ranging from photography to Sea Search (flora and fauna monitoring), wreck diving, and diving instruction.
Overall, Bournemouth and Poole Diving Club offers an inclusive, safe, and active diving community for enthusiasts of all levels and backgrounds. Whether exploring local dive sites, embarking on expeditions, or enjoying social events, members can expect to have an enriching and fulfilling diving experience.
