Our Squid Squad offers training developed to suit the needs and abilities of 10 – 14 year olds.
Starting with a try dive, we introduce basic dive skills and safety essentials which are built up in a personalised training plan through ‘pay as you go’ pool sessions in our heated, indoor facility at Astley High School.
Working at a pace suited to the individual, skills developed enable progress towards open water training and qualifications including Cadet Open Water, Junior Scuba Diver, Junior Open Water and Junior Explorer.
Whereever possible, we will work with individuals and parents/ carers to match training plans to the interests, timeframe and aspirations of the individual, subject to discussion of their needs, abilites and progress.
We will always respect a diver’s decision not to participate in a planned activity.
The safety and welfare of the individual is always our paramount concern.
Squid Squad Achievements
Thomas – has been diving with us for 2 years qualifying in Cadet Open Water then as a Junior Explorer. He is currently our youngest qualified drysuit diver and a regular on our Farne Island dive trips. An aspiring ecologist and marine biologist, Thomas is now working on speciality courses to master low visibility diving and become a qualified Ecological Diver.
Nathan – is an incredibly motivated young diver who knows exactly what he wants and how he plans to get there! Having joined Squid Squad under a year ago, he attends every pool session he can and takes a keen interest in everything dive related. Already Junior Open Water and Drysuit qualified, Nathan is currently working towards Explorer 30 and hoping to gain a DPV speciality allowing him to use an ‘underwater scooter’. With a very clear ambition to complete a marine biology degree at university, Nathan has mapped his dive training plan alongside his GCSEs then A levels to enable him to follow his dream.
Hannah – after learning to dive abroad, Hannah joined our Squid Squad over 5 years ago. Having mastered key skills through regular pool sessions, she completed drysuit training to enable diving in the colder waters of the UK. After progressing through Advanced and Rescue training, she became a regular on our Farne Island dive trips and achieved Deep 40 certification. After completing an internship programme with us, we were delighted to have Hannah join our staff team as a qualified Divemaster. She is now studying marine biology at university alongside continuing her training with us to become a try dive instructor.
Luke – joined the Squid Squad at a similar time to Hannah developing his skills through pool sessions and open water intially in a wetsuit before qualifying to dive in drysuit. Having completed Open Water, Advanced and Rescue training, we supported Luke to arrange a Divemaster training programme with our friends at Dive Raid Maldives. After an amazing few months diving stunning locations with Scuba Divine Maldives, Luke returned to the UK to join our staff team as a Divemaster and Try Dive Instructor with the potential to continue his journey and work as an international dive instructor in future.
