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When was the club formed?
Founded in 1980, Arnewood Divers was born during a dynamic decade for local SCUBA clubs. We’re affiliated with the Sub Aqua Association (SAA) Club Number 435, we’ve built a rich tradition of diving excellence and adventure. 

How to Join Arnewood Divers

Joining is easy! Simply get in touch with us and introduce yourself. Let us know if you already hold a diving qualification – we’d love to meet you! You can join us on one of our club nights, where we can chat about what you're looking for and explore how we can support your diving journey.

Whether you're interested in a Try-a-Dive experience or are ready to dive into one of our training courses, we’re here to help. After making contact, we’ll send you a membership form to complete.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Arnewood Divers community!

Tell me about your members today.
We’re a thriving community of around 25 enthusiastic divers, with more joining every year. Our membership includes a mix of all levels — from trainees through to Open Water Instructors (OWI). Whether you're just starting or have years of experience, there's always a place for you here.

How does the club raise funds?
We keep the fun going through membership fees, but we also raise funds by offering snorkelling tuition at a local school and marshalling sports events. These activities support our goal of promoting physical activity and wellbeing in our community while having a blast along the way.

What does membership of the club offer?
As a member, you’ll enjoy access to regular pool sessions, discounted air fills from our trusted local dive store (LDS), preferential access to our cost-price Club Holidays, and the use of club equipment. Whether you’re diving or socialising, there are plenty of perks to being part of the team.

Do you have a clubhouse of your own?
We don’t have a clubhouse, but we’ve found the perfect spot for our weekly club meetings at a local pub. It’s the ideal place to chat about your latest dive, share stories, and grab a drink after an exhilarating day under the water.

When do you go diving?
We dive year-round, offering a range of exciting opportunities including inland, shore, club boat, charter boat, and holiday dives. No matter the season, there's always an adventure waiting!

What is your local diving like?
Our coastal location is a diving paradise! Some of our favourite spots include the Purbecks, Old Harry Rocks, and local wrecks like The Fenner (famously known as the glass wreck). We also love diving Christchurch Ledge, where a variety of depths and underwater features make for thrilling drift dives. Look out for rays, dogfish, and other incredible marine life!

What type of training is most popular with members?
We offer SCUBA training at all levels, so whether you're starting with Open Water Diver or working towards Dive Leader or Supervisor, there’s always a new challenge to tackle. We also run exciting skills development courses, including cross-over sessions from other agencies like PADI. Our training site, Vobster Quay, is a true SCUBA paradise, with dive platforms at varying depths, music, great equipment, and even burgers to refuel after a dive!

What does your instructor team look like?
Our instructor team is top-notch! We have one Regional Instructor, five Open Water Instructors, and one Club Instructor, all supported by our brilliant Training Officer, Katie. With a dedicated team like this, we’re all set to continue growing the club in the years ahead.

What do you see as your Arnewood Divers legacy?

Our founding mission was simple but powerful: "To provide affordable SCUBA diving opportunities in a positive, safe, and fun environment". Since our founding, we’ve introduced hundreds of people to the incredible underwater world. Now, more than ever, with rising costs making some activities less accessible, our mission remains crucial. SCUBA diving not only promotes physical health but also significantly boosts mental wellbeing, builds self-confidence, and develops leadership skills. We’re passionate about continuing to offer affordable access to SCUBA diving in our community for generations to come.