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BSAC Club that brought scuba diving to South Wales marks its 60th
A BSAC club responsible for inspiring generations of diving enthusiasts in South Wales is celebrating 60 years of underwater adventure.
Newport Sub-Aqua Club was formed in 1956 – the same year Elvis made his first national TV appearance and released ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ – and was the very first club to be launched by BSAC in South Wales.
To celebrate six decades of history, the club has released a gallery of historic photos from an anniversary exhibition depicting its diving adventures then and now.
Over the years, the club’s members have travelled across the globe. Exploits have included taking an active role in research projects on historic wrecks and helping recover a sunken boat at Llandegfedd reservoir.
The club has in the past assisted the Severn Area Rescue Association in providing marshalling and safety boat cover for Newport’s waterfront festivals. Members have taken part in countless diving expeditions to the Red Sea, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, The Canaries and Malta to name but a few.
Former members have also recalled memories of the club’s early diving exploration when divers were tasked with making their own wetsuits and the closest thing to a drysuit was a wartime submarine escape suit.
Among those to feature in the anniversary celebrations was former member and renowned author, treasure hunter and wreck diver, George Edmunds. As one of Newport SAC’s earliest members, George has fond memories of its inaugural underwater explorations which he credits for sparking a lifelong passion for wreck diving and coastal history.
“When I joined the club in the late fifties they still called us frogmen, it was a throwback to the war years,” said the 75-year-old retired engineer, who grew up in Newport and ran a vehicle electrics business there.
“We had to make our own suits in those days. You couldn’t buy diving suits, you had to make your own suit out of a sheet of neoprene. You cut it out like a tailor suit.
“The only drysuits were submarine escape suits in bright orange. I paid 15 shillings in old money for one which is about 75p.
“Our first boat was a 10ft Avon dinghy with a 15 horsepower engine. It was very small and rudimentary but we went out in all weathers and didn’t worry about the currents or tides at that time.
“They were great days when I think back. There was lots of sea life to see. We used to go out from a cove in Martin’s Haven where we’d collect scallops and sea urchins. In later years, we would go further afield.”
Newport SAC trains at Dyffryn Comprehensive School’s pool for shallow training, and for deeper diving they use Monmouth Pool and the National Diving Centre in Chepstow and other dive sites across West Wales. Members are keen to encourage young divers into the sport and promote marine conservation to help the younger generation gain respect for their environment.
The club’s current Diving Officer, diving instructor Dave Summers, has been a member for more than 35 years after joining in early 1980s as a 28-year-old.
“There are still a lot of people who learn to dive and want to belong to a club,” said the 68-year-old retired quantity surveyor, “I would recommend anyone giving it a try.
“Diving is one of those sports which you just have to do. And once you start, whenever you see water you just want to be on it or under it. It’s so enthralling, you can’t think about anything else. It’s a completely new world, a serene environment, and everyday life vanishes.”
The diving instructor said the club was proud of its history and was firmly focused on securing its presence for another 60 years.
“It’s a great achievement to reach 60 years. We were the only club in South Wales at one point and kicked off diving in South Wales. Our history is the history of diving itself in South Wales.”
Mary Tetley, chief executive of BSAC said: “Newport SAC is among the oldest in the UK and so it’s a huge achievement to celebrate 60 years of diving.
“It’s been wonderful to hear some of the stories from the club’s history and the exhibition photographs offer a lovely insight into diving through six decades.
“We wish all the members the best for the future and hope they will continue to inspire future generations of divers to join the BSAC family.”
Newport Sub-Aqua Club is always keen to sign up more members. For more information visit www.newportbsac.com.
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Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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