Calne Divers has recently taken on many new members, and as such has seen much of this year taken up with New Diver Training. As our second Open Water course nears it's completion, we have asked some of the participants to give an honest and frank account of how they find the club. We wish to continue being a friendly and open club, and we are always open to constructive criticism. Below are the unedited and complete articles as written by two of our newest members.

"After finding Calne Divers on Google, I called the Contact Us number and was met with a very friendly helpful man. After explaining what I was after and what I wanted to achieve, I was invited down to meet all of the club the following Thursday.

"When speaking with all the guys at the club it seemed apparent that they were all mad about diving and loved to talk about their experiences. I was invited to a 'Try Dive' the following week. I turned up the following Thursday and was again met with friendly chatty club members. 'Little' Jon talked me through all the kit, showed me what everything did, and within no time we were in the swimming pool under water. Jon went at my pace asking me if I felt comfortable doing certain exercises, and within no time I was asking Jon if I could do what other club members were practicing! Everything was in a relaxed atmosphere with absolutely no pressure at all, in fact I felt 100% safe and in the right hands when it came to diving!

"After the dive I chatted with all of the club members and it was apparent that this was a socially active club that loved diving with a passion! I was talked through the whole process of what I needed to learn, how the club worked ect. The next week we were in the pool again starting the 'Elementary Diver'' course from the beginning, again at a pace that suited me.

It became clear that the knowledge in this club was phenomenal and I knew I was in the right place to learn how to dive come rain or shine.

"I'm now in my final week of pool training and have my pool test next week, all the training has gone at my pace, im very happy with my progress to date!

I do highly recommend Calne Divers as nothing for these guys is too much trouble. I have even recommended a friend who is in the process of joining."

Mike Cave

Elementary Diver

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"After deciding I wanted to try scuba diving, I spent a few hours looking at the various organisations on the internet and decided that the local SAA club route was for me. I liked the idea of making new friends as well as gaining internationally recognised qualifications. I rang Jon Dodsworth (the club chairman), and was pleased to find him helpful and keen to recruit, and train new members. Jon invited me to a 'club' night in a local pub, where I met two other potential new members. I was a bit apprehensive of going to start with, as I thought the club might have its own 'in' crowd, and that it would take time to be accepted. However this was immediately put from my mind, as everybody there was friendly and seemed to want to get to know us newbies. Whenever the club meets, we all sit around together, and everybody joins in.

"As far as the training is concerned, I have been very impressed. Most of my pool training has been with Trevor, and his enthusiasm in wanting to pass his knowledge on to us pupils, is second to none.  I can see his real pleasure when I have done well, and he takes his time with me, when I don't quite get something. As well as pool training, I have attended a number of theory lectures. These have plenty of revision, and I have been given books that allow me to read up in my own time.

"All in all, I am very pleased with my new club, I have met some really nice people and I have received some excellent training. I am soon to complete my 'basic' training, with a written exam and a skills assessment in a local dive centre (disused quarry). I am confident I will pass with flying colours, and I look forward to years of safe diving, thanks to Calne Divers."

Jamie King

Elementary Diver