The 2025 Kernow Dive Pageant was an enormous success, with greater than 200 divers from at the very least 15 completely different BSAC golf equipment descending on Cornwall to participate.
Ten RIBs and their skippers collectively carried out simply shy of 300 boat dives over the weekend, with divers of all ranges taking part within the weekend’s scheduled diving.
Not solely was it improbable to see the diving neighborhood come collectively to have fun diving on World Oceans Day, however the weekend additionally raised funds for the recompression chamber at DDRC Healthcare Plymouth – and hopefully elevated consciousness of their work.
The plight of UK chamber amenities has been within the highlight just lately as a result of deliberate discount within the variety of hyperbaric chambers accessible to scuba divers in England. With their numbers set to be minimize from eight to only three, the strain on the remaining chambers is a critical concern. But many divers beginning out are unaware of the amenities accessible when issues go fallacious or the continued analysis that takes place at these amenities to make diving safer for everybody.
DDRC leads the sector in dive illness analysis, treating decompression sickness, and sustaining the nationwide 24/7 helpline. Their work is important for protecting all divers secure, and the Pageant organisers are proud to assist increase consciousness of their improbable work.
Document-breaking fundraising
Final yr, Kernow Dive Pageant raised over £7,300 for DDRC Healthcare in Plymouth; this yr, contributors raised an outstanding £8,550! This brings the whole raised by the competition for DDRC to £69,760.
That is primarily due to the improbable help the occasion receives from the golf equipment attending, the diving business and native companies, who contribute considerably to the raffle and public sale fundraising actions on the Saturday night time.
The next companies deserve a particular point out who the organisers want to thank for his or her generosity. In no explicit order:
Two native companies helped preserve the divers heat and fed. Penryn Joinery donated a van load of their heating gasoline briquettes to heat the divers all through Saturday night time. Firewood Provides Ltd close to Penzance, kindly donated a number of massive baggage of restaurant-grade charcoal to the Kernow Dive Pageant BBQ.
Native ghost gear restoration charity Fathoms Free supported the fundraising weekend with its just lately refurbished RIB and skilled skipper, Jules. Their RIB Stingray was the primary boat out and the final boat in on each days, and so they stated it was improbable to help such a terrific trigger. They have been happy to have the ability to assist increase consciousness and funds for DDRC, which gives an important service to all divers within the area, together with those that volunteer for the charity throughout ghost gear recoveries.
[L] Steve Collingwood and Steve Hopper of Vale Royal SAC prepared for ropes-off; [R] new Chair Andy Shenstone (pictured left) with Jim Burns, Totnes SAC and auctioneer
BSAC regional assist
Quite a lot of BSAC South West Area golf equipment performed a serious position on this yr’s occasion.
Bude Dive Membership members sorted the catering and, together with Peninsula Sub Aqua Membership, ran the management room and slipway like a well-oiled army operation.
Members from Peninsula additionally oversaw a lot of the shotting of the websites and the weekend’s dive planning. They’ve a small quiz workforce identified amongst different names because the ‘4 pores and skin divers’ that attends Tough’s on the Tolgus Inn each fortnight to take part of their quiz nights. During the last 12 months, they collated all of their winnings and donated £230 to the fundraising efforts!
Totnes Sub Aqua Membership members take care of the funds and insurance coverage, and likewise ran the report breaking raffle once more this yr.
Organisers wish to say particular due to Ponsandane Tenting who as soon as once more offered VIP therapy for the weekend, and offered safe boat storage to all golf equipment attending. Thanks additionally go to the workforce at Penzance Harbour for supporting the occasion yearly. Lastly, large thanks go to everybody who helped organise the weekend, the companies and people who donated to the fundraising occasion and the 200+ individuals who took half.
It was actually a improbable occasion, and regardless of the less-than-ideal climate, everybody had a good time, and a report sum of money was raised. Planning for subsequent yr is already underway.
New BSAC Chair Andy Shenstone attended along with his membership, Vale Royal Sub Aqua Membership. Andy stated:
The Kernow competition depends upon numerous deeply dedicated volunteers who give off their time freely to organise one of the crucial enjoyable but additionally essential dive festivals of the calendar. By elevating cash for the DDRC – this yr a report breaking £8,850 – this ought to be a key occasion for any diver’s calendar since you are immediately contributing to supporting an important security useful resource, and get to get pleasure from some nice diving on the identical time. I’ve already blocked out the dates for 2026 (6 and seven June) and welcome selling the occasion as BSAC Chair.
