What to Expect
Here is exactly what happens when you come for a try-a-dive session. No surprises, no pressure — just fun.
Arrive & Meet Us
Head to Medway Park Sports Centre and come to the pool. Our friendly instructors will be waiting for you.
Kit Up
We provide everything you need — wetsuit, mask, fins, buoyancy jacket, and tank.
Into the Pool
Start in the warm, shallow end with an instructor right by your side.
Breathe Underwater
This is the moment — you are underwater, breathing, and it works.
What's Next?
Loved it? We will tell you about the next steps — how to join the club and start your Ocean Diver qualification.
Try-a-Dive Details
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before your try-a-dive session.
Do I need to be able to swim?
You should be comfortable in water, but you do not need to be a strong swimmer. The try-a-dive session takes place in a swimming pool where you can stand up at any time. If you can put your face in the water and are happy being out of your depth, you will be fine. If you have any concerns, just let us know when you book and we can chat about it.
How much does it cost?
A try-a-dive session costs £20 and that includes all equipment hire. There are no hidden charges. If you decide to join the club afterwards, we will credit your try-a-dive fee against your first year’s membership.
What should I bring?
Just a swimming costume or trunks and a towel. We provide all the diving equipment — wetsuit, mask, fins, buoyancy jacket, tank, and weights. You might want to bring a drink and a snack for afterwards, but that is optional. We usually head to the pub after pool sessions, so bring some cash or a card if you fancy joining us.
Is it safe?
Absolutely. You will be with a qualified BSAC instructor in a controlled swimming pool environment. The water is warm, shallow enough to stand up in, and there are no currents or waves to deal with. Our instructors have safely introduced hundreds of people to diving over the years. We take safety very seriously — it is at the heart of everything BSAC does.
How old do I have to be?
You need to be at least 12 years old to try scuba diving. If you are under 18, we will need written consent from a parent or guardian, and a parent or guardian should accompany you to the session. There is no upper age limit — we have had people in their 70s try diving for the first time!
I am nervous — is that normal?
Completely normal, and nothing to be embarrassed about. Most people feel a bit nervous before their first try-a-dive — it would be strange if you did not. Our instructors are patient, experienced, and used to working with nervous beginners. We will go at your pace, and if at any point you want to stop, that is absolutely fine. There is no pressure. Most people who were nervous beforehand end up grinning from ear to ear by the end of the session.
Try-a-Dive Stories
I started my diving journey around 20 years ago, via a PADI Open Water Course. After spending more time and a lot more money following the PADI route, I realised there was more to diving than spending money and collecting an array of plastic cards. This was when I joined NWK BSAC and started really "Diving" — realising diving within… I started my diving journey around 20 years ago, via a PADI Open Water Course. After spending more time and a lot more money following the PADI route, I realised there was more to diving than spending money and collecting an array of plastic cards. This was when I joined NWK BSAC and started really "Diving" — realising diving within a community of likeminded people was the experience I had been looking for. From training dives in the pool, lake and quarry dives, to diving on wrecks around the UK coastline and club dives abroad in warmer climates — my personal diving experience and group of friends continues to grow. If you are looking to learn to dive or continue to dive with friends, sharing skills, and continued personal development — NWK Diving is a great place to be.
I took up diving 3 years ago at the age of 59 after going through a bucket list with my partner. I did my open water training with another agency but realised that after training I did not feel I had enough skill or knowledge to actually go diving and was considering not pursuing diving as a hobby. I contacted… I took up diving 3 years ago at the age of 59 after going through a bucket list with my partner. I did my open water training with another agency but realised that after training I did not feel I had enough skill or knowledge to actually go diving and was considering not pursuing diving as a hobby. I contacted NWK BSAC and was invited to join them at a pool evening to meet the club. One pool evening turned into another, then another, until I joined the club. The guys in the club are really friendly and welcoming, with a very extensive knowledge of diving which they were more than happy to talk about and share with me, giving me the confidence to go diving whilst on holiday with my partner. With the benefit of some truly amazing training (and a lot of patience) I have progressed to Sports Diver but it is the support and encouragement I have received from the club which has made me the diver I am today.
In 2016 in my mid fifties, I started my journey into diving and like the majority of people, by looking up a PADI course. But unlike most I didn't do this on a holiday in some exotic part of the world with crystal clear waters, I decided to do it in mid-November in a cold dark lake in Snodland!! This… In 2016 in my mid fifties, I started my journey into diving and like the majority of people, by looking up a PADI course. But unlike most I didn't do this on a holiday in some exotic part of the world with crystal clear waters, I decided to do it in mid-November in a cold dark lake in Snodland!! This meant not only learning my basic diving skills which were challenging enough but learning them whilst wearing a dry suit, gloves and hood which is another skill level in top. I paid my money and over the next 4 weekends I was put through the PADI course, consisting of two pool sessions and two open water sessions in the local lake. Right from the start I was uncomfortable with how the course was delivered. I felt I was on a conveyor belt and not given enough time to get comfortable with a practicable exercise before being moved on to the next. With the added handicap of a full dry suit, gloves and hood it was extremely stressful. Added to that I unfortunately had a rather impatient tutor who lost his temper with me on a couple of occasions in his haste to move on to the next exercise and tick his box! I completed the course and obtained my open water and dry suit qualifications but was left wondering if I wanted to go diving as the experience had not exactly been pleasant and like many others, after gaining the qualification I then didn't dive for months afterwards! A family holiday in Croatia and the dive centre at our hotel tempted me to test my newly acquired skills. The dive centre was run by a British couple who were extremely friendly and supportive. My first dive was a messy affair with poor bouncy but I was soon calmed down and settled into the dive by a very competent guide. When returning on the rib to the dive centre after the dive I asked my guide what the best option for me was to regularly dive and keep my skills levels up when I returned home. He said have you heard of BSAC?? The dumb look on my face answered his question. He then went on to explain that his dive school, as well as offering PADI courses was BSAC affiliated which he recommended BSAC as the best route to maintain and improve on diving skills in a proper club environment rather than the "corporate" approach PADI take. Upon returning home I contacted my local club being NWK BSAC and a very pleasant chap called Steve Downing invited me along, no obligation, to a club night to see if I enjoyed it. I loved it, it was exactly the environment I was looking for, to learn to dive properly at my own pace amongst like-minded people, who were giving up their own time to teach club members properly and at a pace that suited them. In addition, the club gives you a good social environment in and out of the water, regardless of how often you wish to "get your toes wet". I've been a member of the club now for 9 years and am happy to give something back for all the hard work other members put in on my behalf to help train me. I currently serve as Club Secretary and over the last 9 years have witnessed the club grow in strength with a good healthy membership of keen divers and a very busy and varied dive calendar. Personally I've taken a recent break from diving but there is no pressure brought to bear to return to the water, as I said everything is done at a pace to suit the individual. But even without currently getting my toes wet the club is a nice place to spend time on a Wednesday pool night and with various social events we try to organise through the year. If you are thinking of learning to dive I could not recommend highly enough the relaxed, but professional atmosphere NWK BSAC offers.
Book Your Try-a-Dive
Fill in the form below and we will be in touch to confirm your session.