About North West Kent Divers
A friendly BSAC club based in North West Kent, diving together
Who We Are
We’re North West Kent Divers, BSAC Branch 0489 — and we’ve been helping people discover the underwater world for over three decades. What started as a small group of diving enthusiasts in North West Kent has grown into one of the area’s most active and welcoming scuba diving clubs. We are proud members of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), the UK’s national governing body for scuba diving and snorkelling.
Our members range from complete beginners to highly experienced divers and instructors — and everyone in between. That mix is what makes NWK special. On any given pool night you’ll find new trainees practising their first mask clearing alongside Advanced Divers perfecting rescue skills. On a dive trip, you’ll find experienced divers mentoring newer members and sharing their passion for the underwater world. It does not matter whether you have never dived before or whether you have thousands of dives logged — you will fit in here.
NWK is as much a social club as it is a diving club. Yes, we are serious about diving and training. But we also believe that the best clubs are built on friendships. Our weekly pool sessions always end with a trip to the pub. We organise social events throughout the year — from summer BBQs to Christmas dinners. Many of our members have made lifelong friends through the club. When you join NWK, you are not just joining a diving club — you are joining a community.
Four Pillars of NWK
Everything we do falls into four areas — and they all overlap in the best way.
Where We Meet
Medway Park Sports Centre
Mill Rd, Gillingham ME7 1HF
Pool Night
Day: Wednesday
Time: 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
How to Find Us
Medway Park is well signposted from the A2 and A289. There is free parking on site in the main car park. Enter through the main reception and head to the pool — you will recognise us by the pile of dive kit! If it is your first visit, just ask at reception for the diving club and someone will point you in the right direction.
First Visit?
Just turn up to any pool night – there is no need to book. Arrive about 10 minutes early so we can say hello and get you sorted. Bring a swimming costume, a towel, and a sense of adventure. We will provide everything else.
The Committee
NWK is run entirely by volunteers. Our committee keeps the club organised, safe, and fun.
Steve Downing
Leads the club and chairs committee meetings. The first port of call for anything club-related.
A.N. Other
Responsible for all diving activities and safety. Plans and oversees club dive trips and ensures everyone dives safely.
A.N.Other
Oversees all BSAC training programmes. Coordinates instructors, manages student progress, and ensures training standards are met.
Richard Smart
Member since 2016 — came to NWK after a Croatian holiday introduced him to BSAC. Handles club correspondence, meeting minutes, and administration.
A.N. Other
Manages the club finances, membership fees, and budgets. Makes sure every penny is accounted for.
A.N. Other
Organises social events, dinners, BBQs, and all the fun stuff that happens outside the water.
A.N. Other
Maintains and manages all club-owned diving equipment. Ensures kit is serviced, tested, and ready for use.
Ian Mealings
Looks after the club website, online presence, and digital communications. The person who built what you are looking at right now.
Proudly BSAC
The British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) is the UK’s national governing body for scuba diving and snorkelling. Founded in 1953, BSAC is the largest diving club in the UK and one of the most respected diving organisations in the world. With over 30,000 members across hundreds of branches, BSAC sets the standard for diver training and safety in the UK.
Being a BSAC branch means our members benefit from internationally recognised qualifications, comprehensive insurance, and access to a nationwide network of diving clubs. BSAC qualifications are recognised worldwide — so whether you learn to dive with us in Gillingham or want to dive on the Great Barrier Reef, your qualification travels with you. BSAC training is often regarded as among the most thorough in the world, with a strong emphasis on safety, buddy skills, and self-rescue. As a BSAC member, you also get third-party liability insurance, access to BSAC’s network of dive sites and charter boats, and the support of a national organisation that has been championing diving for over 70 years.
When you join NWK, you become a BSAC member too — and that opens doors. You can dive with any BSAC club in the country (and many overseas). You get access to BSAC’s online learning resources, their magazine, and their events. Your qualifications are logged centrally and recognised at dive centres worldwide. And you are part of a community of tens of thousands of divers who share your passion.