TrainingTraining
Hellfins training
Divers training in our fabulous 3m pool, and on Swanage pier - the site of many Hellfins' first ever sea dive
These pages will tell you all you need to know about progressing your diving within Hellfins - whether you are new to the sport or have many years’ experience.
Hellfins runs an active training scheme throughout the year, with dates scheduled well in advance to enable club members to plan their diving and diaries.
We are lucky to have access to classrooms and a fantastic pool at Shell Centre, close to Waterloo in central London, every Wednesday. It is here that all pool and theory lessons are run.
Open water lessons are held at a variety of inland sites – with Vobster, Stoney Cove and Wraysbury the most commonly used – and also in the sea at Swanage, on the south coast, where we keep the club boat.
View the 2010 training schedule
New to diving?
Every year Hellfins trains around eight brand new divers, so we’ve all the systems in place to ensure you qualify quickly. If you want to make sure diving is for you before committing to the course, then we offer Come and Try Dives.
These aren't a lesson, just an introduction to the club and a chance to get in the pool with some scuba gear on and see whether you enjoy it! These cost £20 and can be scheduled throughout the year.
The first course for brand new divers is the Ocean Diver course.
Typically we run one course each year starting in January. This is to ensure that new divers have the chance to get qualified before the main fun diving season which runs approximately May to September.
Find out more about the Ocean Diver course
Already a diver?
Welcome! We accept qualified divers from all the main diving agencies at most points throughout the year.
We teach under the BSAC system (find out more) so if you have trained under another system you will need to cross-over to BSAC before undergoing any further training.
This is a simple procedure, which involves assessing which BSAC grade your current qualification is equivalent to, and two theory lessons.
Find out more about crossing over to BSAC
Meet the training team
Hellfins training is overseen by a team of Training Officers who are appointed each year by the diving officer. If you have any questions about training will Hellfins, please email use or grab one of us in the pub! Currently the training officers are:
Nicky Leeds and Kathy Pelham
Facilities
Hellfins have use of the Shell Centre swimming pool in York Road, Waterloo on Wednesday evenings between 5:30 and 7:00 for pool training. The pool is one of the best around with a deep section of four metres. Members should note that Shell Centre operates a random stop and search policy, and also that it is essential all members using the pool are aware of the Evacuation Procedure.
We have 12 full sets of kit (tanks, regulators and buoyancy compensators) together with a compressor and 12 sets of fins, masks and snorkels for use by club members. This kit is also available for club members to hire for use on club trips.
Risk Assessment
We strongly advice club members to carryout following risk assessment before taking the plunge into Shell swimming pool with diving equipment