Female divers share their stories on International Women’s Day

For International Women’s Day and to celebrate women in BSAC we asked some female divers to share their scuba diving stories: to understand what motivates and empowers them, and provide inspiration for other women and girls who love the ocean.  

Nina

I began my scuba diving adventures on the Great Barrier Reef (which left me with very high expectations!)

My love for scuba diving encouraged me to make a career change from commercial field sales to studying sea life! I spend my free time helping out with the dive equipment at the university club and supporting other students on their dive experiences.

Diving has been transformational for Nina

Madison

I fell in love with the beauty of the corals in Egypt and wanted to continue diving when I started university at Bangor. Gaining cold water experience has been so much fun and I’ve had the chance to experience so many different underwater environments whilst making many good friends.

Madison explores a coral reef

Mairelle

I started diving because of my friends and their encouragement, I did my DSD and loved it! Diving for me has always made me feel strong and empowered as a diver and a woman because every time I dive I improve and I get better, but I’m also in a community of wonderful supportive divers whom I couldn’t have started my journey without.

Mairelle after a refreshing scuba dive

Molly 

I started diving as a way to push me out of my comfort zone and with the help of my best friend Sophie, who’s also an instructor, I found a new passion. I’m now a PADI Rescue Diver and diving has given me so much enjoyment and allowed me to achieve things I didn’t know where possible. I have made lifelong friendships and am so grateful to be have found a passion that empowers women.

Molly with buddy on another undersea adventure

Ronnie 

Diving always seemed like a far-off dream when I was younger and it’s crazy to think it’s my reality now. I began diving in 2020, completing my open water during Covid. Since then I’ve integrated myself into my university dive club, BUSAC, and progressed so far with my skills and qualifications. I’m very grateful for the people I’ve met through my diving journey, especially my instructor friends from who I’ve learnt so much with as part of the club.

Ronnie and bubbles

Sophie

I started diving by doing a Discover SCUBA in Kenya when I was 14 because my dad, grandad and uncles all dived. When back in the UK I did an PADI Open Water Course with my best friend through a Centre in Kings Norton, Birmingham in the school Summer holidays. We learned in Stoney Cove in wetsuits and I carried on diving on holidays but when I went to university in Wales I crossed over to BSAC in the dive club and did my ITC to start down the instructor route. The club had a RIB and I really enjoyed the boat/seamanship side of things as well as the range of skill development courses and it was a really active social club.

I just love diving new sites that I haven't dived before or being part of diving with a purpose projects because I enjoy working in a team to find solutions/methods of doing something differently and giving it a go. Diving has brought me closer to family and given me a great group of friends and some amazing experiences, I love the escape to something completely different and the diving community you become part of.

I was encouraged by a number of divers to progress in the sport - to do my Instructor Training at university by a university lecturer Myra Wilson who was very active in the club, Maggie Driscoll was my mentor for NI and asked me to join her team on NDC, Claire Peddie and Mary Tetley inspired me to stand for Council.

Sophie's Newfoundland trip: divers included Jane Maddocks (Vice President), Lisa Shafe (council) Paula Cheung (Branch DO) Lorie Laroche (Canadian diver and uni professor) Renee Power (American Cave Dive Instructor) and Sophie

Let's get more women involved

In BSAC, around twice as many men take part in our sport than women, as well as a higher percentage of male instructors to female instructors. If you’re involved in a club, check out the Women in BSAC online support section for clubs, which includes: 

• Benefits of a gender-diverse club
• Understand the barriers women face
• Tips to promote your club to women
• Practical tips for the first club visit
• Keeping women in your club