UBUC

Costs

Diving is not the cheapest hobby in the world, but it is amazing! Joining a university club is by far the cheapest way to learn and dive. This page lists what you'll need to start diving with us. These costs are spread out across the year so you don't have to buy everything at once

UBUC Membership

To join UBUC the first thing you need to do is fill in a membership and medical form.

BSAC Medical Form

More info on the Medical can be found here.

Membership Fees:

Student Member: £30
Non-Student Member with IFC: £40
Non-Student Member: £60
Free Diving/Snorkelling Member: £15

Non-Students will also need to apply for University of Bristol Union membership so that they can get into the Union for lectures and pool training and to be insured when driving club vehicles. You can get a form from the UBU website or from the front desk at the Union.

Basic Kit

To start training in the pool you will need basic training kit: mask, fins, wetsuit boots and snorkel (and a swimming costume too!). UBUC can't provide these as they need to be specific to you; faces are different shapes and feet different sizes. Basic pool training kit costs £90-110 new depending on what brand you buy. A kit sale is organised for our new members at the beginning of October where we put in a big discounted order with a local dive shop, making getting this stuff easy for you.

Training Materials

All trainees and crossovers need BSAC training materials which include a textbook, lecture notes, qualification book and your all important qualification card. You can check the current prices of these here, but don't worry if you can't work out which one you need, the Training Officer will order this for you.

BSAC Membership

The Brisitsh Sub-Aqua Club is the governing body for underwater activities in the UK. It provides its members with third party insurance cover. All UBUC members need to be members of BSAC before they venture out into open water.

BSAC membership is organised by the Secretary at the beginning of March, when most of our members renew their membership. Membership rates can be checked on their website.

Other Kit

Before you get in the sea you'll need a suit to wear, gloves, hood and weight belt. The prices of these vary widely depending on what you buy, but as a rough guide a wetsuit suitable for use in UK waters costs from £150 new. Another kit sale will be organised for those who want a new suit, but in recent years our members have picked up some fantastic bargains on eBay and there's often members who have bought new suits selling their old ones. If you need any advice on what suit will keep you warm in the UK read our equipment pages.