Help Shape Our Next Staffordshire Divers Dive Trips
Where would you like to dive with Staffordshire Divers next? We are exploring four destinations for future club trips: Plymouth with In Deep, the Farne Islands with Billy Shiel's, Swanage with Divers Down, and St Abbs with St Abbs Charters.
We would like to hear from members interested in joining us. Your interest and availability will help us decide which trips to develop and what arrangements to explore with the operators.
Proposed trips: dates to be confirmed
These are ideas at the planning stage, rather than confirmed departures. Dates, operator availability, diving programmes, prices and individual places are not yet confirmed.
Registering interest does not reserve a place or commit you to payment. Please do not book travel or accommodation until the club confirms the arrangements.
Plymouth with In Deep
We are looking into a club trip to Plymouth with In Deep. A trip away gives members an opportunity to plan, dive and spend time together, while putting their training and experience into practice.
We will explore a suitable diving programme with the operator once we have an idea of the group and its experience. Specific sites, depths and the number of dives have not been agreed, and we are not promising particular wrecks or an itinerary at this stage.
If Plymouth interests you, let us know your availability, qualification and recent diving experience so these can be considered during planning.
Farne Islands with Billy Shiel's
The Farne Islands in Northumberland are another destination we are considering, with Billy Shiel's as the proposed operator.
We would like to establish how many members are interested before developing dates and arrangements. The departure point, diving programme, accommodation options and equipment requirements will need to be confirmed as part of that process.
As with every coastal trip, the actual diving would depend on conditions and operator advice. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, and any encounters should be approached respectfully.
Swanage with Divers Down
We are also exploring a club trip to Swanage in Dorset with Divers Down.
Our aim would be to develop a programme appropriate to the divers taking part, rather than select dives before understanding the group's qualifications and experience. Sites, depths, boat spaces and the number of dives remain to be confirmed.
If you would like to join a Swanage trip, please tell us about your availability and any questions you have about coastal diving, equipment or preparation.
St Abbs with St Abbs Charters
St Abbs in the Scottish Borders completes our current list of proposed destinations. We are looking into a trip with St Abbs Charters and would welcome expressions of interest.
Before opening bookings, we would confirm operator availability, the proposed diving programme, participant requirements and practical arrangements such as travel, accommodation and gas.
Let us know if St Abbs is somewhere you would like to dive with the club, including whether you have any preferred dates or limits on how long you can be away.
Which trip would suit your experience?
There is no single qualification or experience requirement covering all four proposals. Suitability will depend on the actual dives, conditions, operator requirements and club planning.
If you are newly qualified, returning after a break or have mainly dived at inland sites, please speak to us. We can discuss your experience and identify any preparation that may be appropriate before a particular trip. Expressing interest does not guarantee that every proposed dive will be suitable.
More experienced divers are welcome to share their preferences too. Understanding the group helps us explore realistic options.
What will be confirmed before you book?
Before asking members to commit, we will explain the arrangements for the particular trip, including:
- Confirmed dates and trip duration.
- The proposed diving programme and its limitations.
- Qualification, recent-experience and equipment requirements.
- Available places and how bookings will be allocated.
- Prices, inclusions, additional costs and payment deadlines.
- Deposits, cancellation terms and weather-related arrangements.
- Travel, accommodation and gas arrangements, including what you need to organise yourself.
Please do not assume that equipment hire, gas, accommodation or transport will be included. These details will be set out for each trip.
Help us plan: register your interest
You do not need to have every detail worked out to express interest. It would help us to know:
- Which destinations interest you, in order of preference if possible.
- Your qualification and approximate date of your last dive.
- Your recent coastal and boat-diving experience.
- Your availability and preferred trip duration.
- Any equipment, gas or preparation questions.
We will use this information to help shape the proposals and discuss suitable options before confirming bookings.
Come and discuss the trips with us
We meet every Wednesday at 8pm at Hickory's, Kingsway, Stafford, ST16 1BE. Come along to discuss the proposed trips, ask questions and tell us where you would like to dive.
You can also contact Staffordshire Divers through the website to register your interest. Please mention the destination or destinations that appeal to you.
Not yet a member? You are welcome to enquire about joining the club and future diving opportunities. Participation in any trip will depend on its requirements, available places and the agreed club arrangements.
