HAVE you ever wanted to experience fish up close or explore the depths of the ocean like Jacques Cousteau? Then Oxford’s diving club is for you.

For a city very much landlocked and nearly 100 miles from any seawater, you wouldn’t think that diving would be the most popular of hobbies among the spires of the city.

But the Oxford BSAC Scuba Diving Club – based on the edge of Hinksey Lake – is still thriving as its stronghold of more than 60 members celebrate its 60th year.

The branch sweeps British waters to look at shipwrecks and marine life, but also embarks on international trips to experience the warmer waters with coral reefs and tropical creatures.

Treasurer Andy Pickering, who has been a member of the club for 36 years, said the sport offers something for whole families to enjoy, but also qualifications to go on ocean dives around the world.

The 54-year-old, who met his wife Jan while on a dive 21 years ago, added: “Diving is really something that the whole family can get involved in.

“My three children all dive and it’s great. Anyone can do it.

“We have our diving side, where people can do qualifications that they can use to dive all around the world, but we also have our social side where we meet in our building. It’s family orientated too.”

Mr Pickering added that the club welcomes completely new divers and also experienced ones.

The club is beginning its ocean diver course on March 2.

The branch owns a boat, named Endeavour, which is based in Weymouth where the club’s members take trips to do sea dives.

Members also meet on Wednesdays at their clubhouse to plan trips abroad and socialise, and then every Friday at Radley College swimming pool to dive and snorkel in the pool.

One diving holiday the club has planned is a trip to discover the waters near Normandy beach, which has remains and shipwrecks dating back to the Second World War.

The New Year’s Day dive has become a tradition over years, which has seen divers brave the freezing waters of Hinksey Lake and unearth bicycles, shopping trollies and other strange objects.

Mr Pickering got into diving by watching Cousteau’s films while he was growing up.

He said: “As child I used to watch him on the television, but I didn’t really think about diving until a friend asked if I wanted to go along, and I’ve been here since.

“One thing I like most about diving is seeing the marine life up close.

“Diving is a hazardous sport, but it’s a very rewarding one where you can see lots of things you wouldn’t normally.”

Howard Thomas, who joined the club eight years ago, said the “adventure of not knowing what he was going to see” was the main reason he loves the sport.

The 60-year-old, who joined with his wife Carole, added: “I had always fancied doing it, but I just never got round to it until I was about 52. I’ve been able to dive all over the world.

“It’s also a sport where as long as you’re reasonably fit and healthy, it doesn’t matter what your age is.”

Learner diver has a good time in deep end

I was invited down to try a dive after I covered the club’s annual New Year’s Day dip in Hinksey Lake, writes Michael Race.

I found it strangely fascinating when I first went under the water in the Radley College swimming pool.

My diving “buddy” Chris showed me the ropes and it was really good fun and easy to do.

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There are three simple signs you have to make under the water. One is an ‘OK’ sign, another is to indicate you have a problem and the third is to point in the direction you want to head in.

The instructors work at your pace, which helped, and because I was keen, I was able to dive in the deep end of the pool.

Doing the try-dive offered me a great insight into a sport that I had never done before and club members made sure I had a good time.

Try a dive

The club holds try-dives every week at their regular training pool at the Radley College sports complex.

Almost anyone over the age of 12 can do a try- dive.

The club puts on the sessions so people can have a taster experience of the fascinating world beneath the waves.

Each try-dive is about an hour and each individual is accompanied by a qualified instructor to make sure they get maximum enjoyment.

After try-dives participants usually return to the clubhouse in North Hinksey Lane to socialise and learn more about the club.