The Regional Coach

Regional Coach
Roy Sherwin

As the Regional Coach for Greater London, I thought I had better give you an insight into my diving background.

My first experience with an aqualung was on a BSAC "Introduction to Diving Course" in 1980 whilst on holiday in the Caribbean.

Being very impressed, on my return to the UK I joined the nearest BSAC branch and embarked on a full Diving programme. Due to a busy work routine it was not until 1989 that I became an Advanced Diver. With an interest in instructing, and wanting to put something back into the BSAC, I became a Club Instructor in 1992 and joined the London Regional Coaching Team as an Area Coach for five years. I became an Advanced Instructor in 1994.

My early employment involved plenty of travel, and as a result my diving experience has been built up through membership of ten different BSAC branches. Commitment at branch level includes at least one term in all branch appointments with the exception of Treasurer and Secretary. At one point I was a member of three branches at the same time and the Training Officer of two of them. In 1997, I became the Diving Officer of the newly forming Teddington Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC 2167), a position I held for four years.

I enjoy being proactive with the coaching team and in 2001 co-organised and led London’s first Regional Expedition Scheme. I am actively involved with the Instructor Training Scheme.

I support the aims of the Marine Conservation Society and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, both of which I am a life-member.

In July 2005 I became the Deputy Regional Coach and a month later became Regional Coach.

Our Region

Click here for Branch List and larger map

About our Region

Our capital city London has a population of almost 7.5 million, and employs about 3.6 million. It is the financial capitol of Europe, and the primary transport and communications centre for Great Britain.

Heathrow is the world's busiest airport, and we have a terminus for the Channel Tunnel as well as the UK’s second largest sea freight complex: The Port of London.

London’s economy is currently running at about £180 billion and accounts for 17% of the UK’s Gross Domestic Product. Professionals, managers and technical staff account for 52% of the population compared to 42% across the rest of the country. The University of London is the largest in Britain, and more than 300,000 students (58,000 from overseas) are studying at our higher education institutions.

Our team at present

We currently have approximately 40 "core" members and support staff.

A core member manages a specific area. Examples are: Webmaster, Treasurer and Projects Manager. Area Coaches are also core members.

A Support Staff member helps with the administration of Skill Development Courses, either as course boss or one of the instructors, as well as helping out in other areas as required.

Recent past

In the last three years we have put the following into place:

• A team of Area Coaches
• A Technical Diving Team
• Rebreather Try-Dive sessions
• A regional fund account
• Welfare related workshops
• A Projects Management Team
• A Newsletter "London Divers" which can be viewed at www.londondivers.com
• Further developed our website to include pages covering Technical Diving and Welfare related workshops

• The inclusion of Extended Range Diving, Out-Board Motor and A E D courses on our Programme of Events
• Promote a greater interest in Snorkelling in our branches
• A major drive for the annual "Come and Dive" Campaign and "Go! Dive" initiative
• Another REDS

Generally, London members (students aside) enjoy a higher income. However, this small financial gain is soon absorbed by the increased costs of living in London; the result is that only a few are marginally better off.

London Region currently has over 40 active and over 20 inactive branches in the Region. An active branch is a branch actively training and/or diving. An inactive branch is low in membership; although they may dive occasionally they are not bringing in new members on a regular basis. Sometimes these inactive branches merge to form a new branch, benefiting from more equipment, instructors, members, and saving on pool hire costs. Not all of our branches have their own websites yet. Regional membership exceeds 2620 and our diving verses training ratio is 70:30.

Some branches are experiencing some common difficulties such as bringing in new members, retaining current members, travel and congestion related problems along with rising pool costs. The lack of suitable local open-water sites and our distance from the coast does not help our cause.

Although diving around our coast is still popular, a trend common in many branches is for groups to take shore based or liveaboard diving holidays in sunnier countries, with friendlier more reliable weather patterns, clearer warmer waters and different marine life.

Communication within the region has improved greatly. Our Area Coaches are visiting their branches, and progression of Integra, our Website and our newsletter will further improve our efficiency.

We run more Instructor Foundation Courses than any other region. Our finances have been restructured and our accounts are in order. We are actively seeking other sources of income to underpin our activities.

Some of our strengths are:

• A wide choice of venues for meetings
• A high number of students
• A high number of branches
• A high number of National Instructors and First Class Divers
• Two centres of hyperbaric medicine
• A strong interest in Technical Diving

London is a primary venue for BSAC events and we recognise the potential for growth and support of our student branches.

Area Coaches

Our team of twelve Area Coaches are coordinated by Tony Houston. Their contact details and branch allocations are listed on the Team Contacts page. If you have not already met your AC and would like them to visit your branch please contact them.

There are five different types of branch and our regional statistics are:

Ordinary branch	Open to public subject to conditions	Total: 41
Special branch	May have restricted membership	Total: 29
Youth branch	Applies to educational establishments	Total: 11
Snorkelling Branch	Caters for Snorkellers	Total: 3
Centre	A BSAC recognised Diving School	Total: 2

Skill Development Courses

We offer a wide range of Skill Development Courses to our members. Our SDC Organiser is Anjali Shah. Our SDC Programme of Events page allows you to book onto courses and pay online. Contact Anjali to find out more or maybe to organise a SDC to be taught within your branch.

Our Regional Website and Integra

Our Webmaster is Gary Sedgwick. Further development of our website and Headquarters computer system "Integra" will aid communications and help us all stay in touch.

Snorkelling

For many divers an early interest in Snorkelling started them along the road to Scuba Diving. London region has three Snorkelling Branches and our Snorkel Advisor is Stefan Algar. Further information about this interest can be viewed at www.bsacsnorkelling.co.uk.

Can you help?