BSAC’s first club dives back in time on Swanage Pier

One of the UK’s oldest active scuba divers went back in time to celebrate the 60th anniversary of BSAC.

Londoner Tony Moore, 83, and a group of fellow divers from BSAC’s first club, London No 1 Branch, dressed up in period diving gear for a 1950s style underwater party.

The celebrations at Dorset’s Swanage Pier were organised by London Number 1as part of their year-long celebrations of both theirs and BSAC’s 60th year.

Tony, from Baron’s Court, was one of the original members of the club and the oldest person taking part in the anniversary dive at Dorset’s Swanage Pier with some divers trying out historic 1950s dive equipment.

And to really give the day a 1950s feel, club members drove to Swanage in a number of classic cars from the era including a couple of Lotus Elans, an E-type Jaguar and a Mercedes.

The event was organised by BSAC London Number 1 Branch member, Dan Klein, who has responsibility for marketing the branch and recruiting new members.

Dan said: “We wanted to celebrate our club and BSAC’s 60th birthday in style and we enjoyed a tremendous day. The weather couldn’t have been better with glorious sunshine all day.

“And we have had fantastic support too with members of several clubs joining us for what has been a superb day. The mayor of Swanage kindly joined us and we have had tremendous support from members of the public who have shown a great deal of interest in diving.

“ And we were delighted to welcome along an original member of London Branch, Tony Moore, who at 83 was the oldest diver in the water today.

“And Tony enjoyed a dive using some of his own historic dive gear, much of which dates back to the early 1950s. Tony has had a wonderful day and we were delighted to welcome him along.”

BSAC Chief Executive Mary Tetley joined the London 1 Branch for their trip to Swanage and said the event was a real celebration of UK diving.

“I really was delighted to attend such a well organised and thoroughly enjoyable day. The weather has been brilliant and it was great to see so many BSAC branches joining in the event.

“And it was a pleasure to welcome along the Mayor of Swanage while so many members of the public have stopped and shown such an interest in diving. “

Check out some great pictures from the Swanage event at BSAC’s Facebook page