It's hot, the water's warming up, and curious people are looking for their next adventure. Here's how to turn the summer buzz into a bigger, happier club — without burning out your committee.
Summer is the easiest time of year to grow a diving or snorkelling club. People are outdoorsy, holiday photos are flooding their feeds, and "I've always fancied trying that" is on the tip of everyone's tongue. Here's how to catch the wave.
1. Open eyes to UK diving
Here's a secret too many people don't know: some of the best diving in the world is right here in the UK. Wrecks you can almost touch the history of, playful seals, kelp forests, dramatic drift dives and freshwater spots. It's on people's doorstep and they have no idea.
So tell them. Post your local sites. Share the "no way, that's the UK?!" photos. Curiosity opens doors that adverts never will.
2. Catch the holidaymakers coming home
Thousands of people learn to dive abroad every summer, come home absolutely buzzing… and then stall, because they don't know what to do next. They already love diving. They just need someone to say: "Learned on holiday? Brilliant — keep going with us." Easiest win there is.
3. Make your club easy to join
Look at your website and social channels through the eyes of a slightly nervous beginner. Can they tell how to get in touch? Is there a friendly welcome and a clear next step — book a Try Dive or visit, a "new members welcome"vibe and a real human to message? If joining feels like hard work, people quietly drift away. Make the first step tiny.
4. Be where people already are
Pop posters and banners up at your pool venues — leisure centres, gyms, community boards. And get out into summer events: fairs, beach days, charity events. A RIB, a bit of kit to gawp at, and a couple of friendly members is all you need to start conversations that turn into members.
5. Build belonging, not just membership
This is the part that really matters — and the part that keeps your club growing long after summer ends. People try a club for the diving or snorkelling. They stay for the people.
Great club culture isn't an accident. You build it:
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Welcome people fast. A buddy on day one, a friendly hello, an intro at the first session. Those first few weeks decide whether someone sticks.
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Make friends, not just divers. Run social stuff beyond the water* — BBQs, pub nights, walks, quizzes. Belonging happens between the dives.
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Be open. Share your plans, decisions and trip details transparently. Trust is the foundation of community.
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Celebrate everything. First sea dive, new qualifications, milestones, club anniversaries. Make people feel seen.
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Be genuinely inclusive. Design socials and trips so nobody feels like the odd one out. Everyone should feel like they belong from the start.
Get this right and something brilliant happens: your members become your best recruiters, simply by loving being part of it.
Your summer in a nutshell
You don't need a massive campaign. Pick a couple of these, do them properly, and let the summer energy do the rest. Open people's eyes to the diving on their doorstep, make joining easy, and build a club people never want to leave.
The water's warm. Let's grow.
Not a member yet? Find your local BSAC club and give it a try — you might be amazed what's on your doorstep.
*Please note: any events like this require a risk assessment to be agreed with BSAC HQ in advance. For help, see risk assessment guidance.
