The Queen's University of Belfast Sub-Aqua Club

🐟 Introducing our 2024/25 Executive Committee! 🐟

Definitely something interesting for people to check out! Also more updates from us coming soon!

Feel free to message us about joining the club!

If you are interested in joining the club, particularly if you have already qualified as a diver (either with BSAC, or another agency such as PADI) then we would like to hear from you.

We are planning to hold our training sessions on Thursday evenings throughout the winter. We are not yet sure what the demand is going to be for spaces, and we also have to prioritise completing training which was delayed by COVID, so at this stage we are interested in hearing what the demand might be and can then plan accordingly.

COVID 19 Update - 27 March 2021

Planning for the safe resumption of diving activities is underway, but with no firm dates on when the Queen's PEC will re-open, nor when the "stay at home" order will be lifted for Northern Ireland, we are unable to provide any dates on when diving activities will resume.

There will be a number of safety related activities that need to be undertaken before we can resume any training, including the servicing of our air compressor and diving kit, some of this can only begin to be undertaken when the PEC reopens and technicians can undertake site visits.

Northern Ireland Lockdown Update - 24 December

The university has not yet provided guidance concerning Semester 2 teaching, but it is expected some or all teaching will move online.

The swimming pool at the Physical Education Centre (PEC) will remain closed for the duration of the six week lockdown period starting on 26 December, so no practical training will be possible during this period.

It is likely that further lockdown restrictions may remain in place after this, to cope with the more transmissible COVID-19 strains, which may limit teaching or diving activities.

It is therefore highly unlikely that we will be able to undertake any club activities for students during Semester 2, and possibly into Semester 3 (April to June 2021).

Northern Ireland Lockdown Update - 14 October

The Northern Ireland Executive has today (14 October) prohibited indoor team sports for an initial period of four weeks, and continue to advise against all but essential travel.

The university has also indicated that almost all teaching will move online for the rest of Semester 1. This means many students will be moving home until after Christmas.

The legal requirements limit our diving and training activities for the next four weeks, and with students now potentially leaving Belfast, we will not be undertaking any activities in Semester 1.

The club will continue to monitor the legislation from the Northern Ireland Executive and instruction from Queen's University, Queen's Student Union and our governing body, the British Sub Aqua Club, with a view to resuming training and diving, if it is safe and sensible to do so in Semester 2.

Freshers Update - 21 September

Hi all, we know many of you are interested in joining the club and coming diving with us, and we're excited to have you come diving with us, but with COVID-19 and the prospect of future changes to restrictions, we're not sure what we will be able to do this year.

We were ready to open for new members, we've done all the risk assessments and safety planning needed to get back in the water safely, but with new changes and the prospect of further restrictions coming in the next few days, we will need to keep you waiting a few days longer before we can let you know what's going to be happening with the club this year.

In the interim, stay safe.

Queen's University of Belfast Sub-Aqua Club has stopped training and all diving activities, in line with the closures of Queen's University facilities and in line with guidance issued by the British Sub-Aqua Club and ultimately by the Public Health agencies in Northern Ireland and England.

This is a decision which has been taken on the basis that any emergency involving divers is likely to involve significant emergency service resources and in particular could require the use of medical oxygen for treatment, in addition to the unnecessary travel and social distancing rules which apply to all citizens in Northern Ireland.

We will follow guidance from the Public Health agencies in Northern Ireland and England, and from BSAC HQ, as well as Queen's University before we resume training and diving.

If you're interested in joining the club, we're having our joining event tonight. Instructors and committee members will be at the Queen's PEC from 7pm onwards.

We have just e-mailed everybody who left their contact details at the Freshers Fair. If you've not received an e-mail and you still would like to come on a Try-Dive (or you're already a qualified diver) then come and see us at Queen's PEC on Thursday 3rd or 10th October, 7pm onwards (ask at reception for which meeting room we're in).