The new Regional Coach for North Scotland is Robin Kirkpatrick, an Advanced Instructor and Assistant Instructor Trainer with a wealth of dive agency experience.
Robin has been diving since he was a teenager. He is an open- and closed-circuit diver and qualified to dive trimix at the maximum defined limits, with a love of expedition and adventurous type diving, especially shipwrecks - although he is just as happy snorkelling.
He brings with him a wealth of experience gained over many years, including a place on the BSAC Council. He has been involved with many different diver training agencies, and is a member of Dundee Sub Aqua Club where he currently holds the tech dive rep role on the committee.
North Scotland regional geography presents divers with amazing opportunities and also some interesting challenges, not least of which being how to deliver effective training and development for divers, at all levels and across such a large area.
Robin said:
As Regional Coach I plan to leverage the already impressive instructor capability that we have, extending from National Instructors all the way through to Open Water Instructors and across the full Skill Development Course spectrum. For us to be effective we will need to know how we can best support each branch. What training and development is needed? What would be ‘nice to have’? What is essential to support branch development plans? How can we collaborate?
To this end, engagement is key and this is starting immediately via email and calls to Branch Officers, followed very soon thereafter by lots of branch visits and, oh yes, diving too!
Announcing the new appointment, BSAC Diving and Training Advisor Julia Branagan said:
A big thank you to Ken Scott, who is stepping down from the role after five years - and welcome to Robin as he becomes the new North Scotland Regional Coach! It's a large region to manage geographically, with some of the most amazing dive locations the UK has to offer. Robin's skills and experience will undoubtedly help deliver effective training to clubs and members in the North Scotland area, and we wish him every success as our new Regional Coach.
For more information on the Regional Coaching Scheme in your area or to contact your Regional Coach, go to bsac.com/coaching.
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