A comment from one club member was that I’d been around since before the hills were formed! I have been in the club continuously for 33 years. I’m a Chartered Tax Adviser weekdays and a market gardener at weekends so have two completely different working environments. I’m medically not able to dive at the minute but hope this will change, I’m working on it. I have three furry babies, Bailey, Noir and Sonny, tortoiseshell neutered tom cats and a partner, John. I have served the club as treasurer, membership secretary, social secretary and training officer at different times and some times more than one job at a time.

My role as treasurer is to collect in money due from members for subscriptions, training, course materials and trips and then to ensure we pay for goods and services provided to the club and to keep accounts detailing this.
Qualifications: Theory Instructor

Kath started diving in 2004 doing her first open water dives in a tropical February Capernwray!! Since then she has completed dives from The Faroes to the Philippines and many places in between but her first love remains UK diving.

She is passionate about instructing and developing our branch members and has been an instructor since 2009.

A member of Seasearch and the Nautical Archaeology Society, there is always something underwater to keep her attention. Kath is currently acting as our Training Officer and Diving Officer on the 2026-27 Committee.
Qualifications: Open Water Instructor

I started diving way back in early 1986, when I joined Leeds BSAC 115. I loved it from the start. We had our own club RIBs then and explored our diverse coastline – diving in some amazing places like the Summer Isles, Skye, Mull, Wales and The NE coast. In 1989 I qualified as an Advanced Diver. I then worked abroad for a while in Brunei and joined the BSAC club there – diving around SE Asia and Australia, including Sipadan and the Barrier Reef. When I returned to Leeds, I soon got back into cold water diving again, and became an Open Water Instructor in 1996, Dive Coxswain in 1998, and Nitrox Instructor in 2000.

In 2015, I decided to stop cold water diving, although I carried on in warm water. However in September 2025 I dived again in the UK – in the same old drysuit (see photo!). Happy days!

My other passion is sailing, and you might well see us on our boat off the coast of Anglesey!

My role on the committee is as Secretary. My main role is taking minutes and nagging people for reports.
Qualifications: Open Water Instructor

Hi I’m Henry. I am the newest instructor within the club. I was awarded my first instructor certification in September 2023.
I started diving back in 2016 where I did my PADI Open Water qualification. Two years later, I progressed to do my PADI Advanced Open Water certification.

In September 2019 I joined Leeds SCUBA club as I wanted to experience cold water diving of the UK. Since joining the club, I have progressed my diving in so many ways from mastering buoyancy, learning to dive a twinset and diving multi gasses with BSAC’s accelerated decompression procedures course (ADP).

As well as being an Instructor, I am also the Equipment officer for the branch. For my role as the Equipment officer, I am responsible for the general maintenance and upkeep of the equipment for the branch. I also manage the hire of various pieces of club kit to members for dive trips as well as on Wednesday nights. As part of the fundraising efforts in 2024, we purchased a new compressor as a club to which I oversee the general maintenance and servicing as well as the safe operation.

I am the youngest member on the committee at just 21 years old. Last year I was the Club’s Training officer after perviously holding the role of Secretary.

Some of my favourite places to dive include the Canary Islands which are full of life. I also enjoy taking photos of the dive sites in which I get the privilege of visiting.

I currently hold the grade of Dive Leader and Open water instructor.
Qualifications: Open Water Instructor

Hi, I’m Steve and I’ve been diving since qualifying in June 2001 as a PADI Open Water diver. I made my way up the ranks until I qualified as a Divemaster in May 2004 while working for a local dive school.

As the years passed, I started working with young people, doing a stint in the Army teaching young people. I then began volunteering as a Duke of Edinburgh instructor and expedition assessor. I achieved my Highfield Level 2 Award in Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People.

I then went on to become a Scout Leader. During my time working with young people, I have gained a lot of experience working with SEND children in both diving and scouting circles. To further my education, I have recently completed my BSAC Diving For All Awareness Course.

Current qualifications are: Dive Leader equivalent / PADI Divemaster.
Qualifications: PADI Divemaster (Dive Leader equivalent)

I joined the club in Summer 2023 after a long break away from diving and did an Ocean Diver refresher. I have been working towards Sports Diver and last Summer completed courses in Boat Handling, Chart Reading and Marine Life Appreciation with friends in the club. We have enjoyed trips away to Dunoon, Anglesey, South Shields and Farne Isles. This summer I completed my Sports Diver and am doing courses in Wreck Appreciation course and Seasearch.

As Membership Secretary I answer queries from potential members, either directly or through other committee members in relation to the costs and benefits of membership (a few of us receive and respond to these requests). I sign up new members and send their details to BSAC HQ. I also receive details of membership renewals made through BSAC HQ. I monitor attendance at pool and theory sessions, and collect cash payments to give to the Treasurer. I also work with the Treasurer and BSAC HQ to track payments to the club and process expense claims made by committee members.

Outside of the club I manage Cardiology research trials at University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals. I also play tenor saxophone in a couple of bands/ ensembles.
Qualifications: Sports Diver

Hi, I’m Sophie and I am an ocean diver with Leeds BSAC. I was awarded my ocean diver qualification at Easter, 2025, and I am currently working on my Sports Diver qualification.

I started training to be a scuba diver in 2024 after I completed my first try dive with Southport BSAC and continued with Leeds BSAC while at university. My goal in the next year is to get into the sea and continue developing my scuba diver skillset.

As well as being a general member of Leeds BSAC, I also play the role of social & fundraising officer. I am the one who organises fundraising events for the club, organise social events to bring members together (which may involve friendly competitions, drinking and food). I have previously been a volunteer for multiple charities, been apart of fundraisers and now, volunteer on pool nights to help with trainee’s equipment set up and general pool side cover.
Qualifications: Ocean Diver

I discovered the joy of diving in August 2019 after an unforgettable try‑dive in Crete. I wanted to dive straight into the sport, but like many things, the pandemic put those plans on hold.

Fast‑forward to 2023, and I finally completed my PADI Open Water course, quickly followed by my PADI Advanced Open Water. I grabbed every chance I could to dive abroad, but it didn’t take long to realise that if I really wanted to grow as a diver, I’d have to take the plunge into the much cooler UK waters.

Joining Leeds SCUBA Club in January 2024 was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I’ve loved every minute! The people, the training, the laughs, the late night pints and most importantly the cold‑water shock therapy. Since joining, I’ve completed my BSAC Sports Diver and Dive Leader qualifications, and I’m genuinely excited for the adventures ahead and the brilliant trips the club has lined up.

With a background in teaching and IT, I’ve taken on the role of maintaining the club website. And because I can’t resist combining my passions, I’m planning to put my fifteen years of teaching experience to good use by working towards becoming a diving instructor with the club.
Qualifications: Dive Leader