Scuba Clubs, A Dying Breed?

First of all just what is the advantage of belonging to a club for scuba divers?  If you are new to the area or diving itself and would like to learn where the other divers go to dive that’s a good reason.  On the other hand, you may know the area but are at a loss to have someone to buddy dive with. 

Scuba clubs serve a purpose in that their members are all interested in diving, not just in the local area but wherever the members get together and pool their resources to travel out of the area to some far away interesting location. 

Back in the 50s, soon after I purchased my tank and regulator, I found the local dive club to be invaluable because I knew absolutely nothing about diving.  The club checked out my ability to function underwater, brought me along from novice to experienced diver while giving me the opportunity to explore areas I had never dreamed of.  It was really important to belong to such an organization seeing there were no instructional courses you could take to introduce you to diving.

Now why do I say that clubs are becoming a dying breed?  Mainly because of the internet where a new diver can locate a dive shop in order to get the proper and safe instructions before entering the water.  Usually, following his certification, the new diver continues to visit the shop to inquire on where to dive locally and may keep in touch with some of their classmates to dive with.  Next the new diver can return to the internet to sign up on a local charter dive boat or even sign up for an away location that caters to divers from all over the world.  Is this a way to meet people, you bet!  Not only divers from the country you’re from but from countries all over the world. 

Does this spell the death knell for local dive clubs?  No but it sure diminishes the need for local representation to accomplish what can be done on line.  There will always be a place for the local dive club for those divers who feel more comfortable belonging to an organization where, like me, get to learn where to dive locally and to swap stories with the membership on what experiences they have had, equipment they use and places they have been.  

There are a number of dive magazines that various dive operations advertise their charters and the magazine itself will often have full write-ups on the best locations that cater to divers and how to contact them direct for reservations. 

Finally, there are even dive/travel organizations that are set up to handle a diver’s desire to experience diving anywhere in the world.  They will arrange for your plane reservations, hotel accommodations, number of dives per day and travel insurance.  

One of the most experienced of these, I have used frequently, is Caradonna Dive Adventures located in Longwood, Florida.  800-328-2288 or www.caradonna.com Talk to Amy and tell her I sent you. 

Need a dive club?………depends on your situation! 

George