CADSAC: At the Heart of the Community
A Brief History
The Beginning: Breaking Away to Build Something New
In 1979, a group of passionate divers led by Ray Gravener made a bold decision. Leaving Thrapston Sub Aqua Club behind, they set their sights on creating something closer to home. Thus, Corby And District Sub Aqua Club (CADSAC) was born, establishing itself as a new BSAC club right in the heart of Corby.
Those early days were defined by resourcefulness and community spirit. The team gathered regularly at the Scout Hall in Corby Old Village, where they held their meetings. Training sessions took place at Corby swimming pool, with members eagerly heading to the bar in the Strathclyde Hotel afterwards for well-earned refreshments and post-dive debriefs. Without a central clubhouse, equipment found temporary homes scattered across various members’ houses.
Finding a Home: The Journey to Permanent Premises
As the years passed, CADSAC became something of a nomadic club, with meeting places shifting like the tides. The old Festival Hall hosted gatherings for a time, followed by stints at The White Horse (now The Village Inn) and The White Hart public houses. Each venue brought its own character, but the club yearned for something more permanent.
The turning point came in 1992. The committee embarked on an ambitious search, visiting numerous potential premises with hopes of securing CADSAC’s first permanent home for both the club and their diesel compressor. Eventually, their persistence paid off when Stewart and Lloyds Cricket Club emerged as the ideal location. CADSAC became a joint member of the S&L Sports Club. The building, owned at the time by British Steel (later to become Corus, and now Tata), was far from luxurious when they moved in—there was no ceiling or heating in the club house.
Significantly, this move meant the club finally had dedicated space on-site. The space below the kitchen was converted into what remains today as the kit store and compressor room, eliminating the need to transport equipment between members’ homes.
Making Waves: Underwater Work in the Community
During the 1980s, before Health and Safety regulations became more stringent, CADSAC members turned their diving skills towards valuable community work. They undertook tasks for British Waterways, including repairs to canal gates and maintenance on the aeration towers in Rutland Water. The club was also called upon to perform repairs on the local swimming pool, demonstrating their versatility both above and below the surface.
These weren’t always routine jobs. In 1985, while CADSAC members were diving in Oundle Marina clearing rubbish, member Lee Cobley made a startling discovery—an unexploded bomb resting on the bottom. He brought it to the surface, where the Bomb Disposal Unit safely destroyed it. In recognition of his cool-headed response to this dangerous find, they later presented Lee with a replica of the bomb.
A Legacy of Marine Conservation
One of CADSAC’s most significant contributions to the wider diving community came in 1988, when Ray Gravener, together with other club divers, spearheaded a seal rescue operation on the Norfolk coast. British seals were being devastated by distemper, and the diving community’s response proved crucial. This operation became the catalyst for something even more lasting—Ray went on to found British Divers Marine Life Rescue, an organization that continues its vital work today, protecting and rescuing marine life around British waters. Today, CADSAC is proud to be a Marine Action Club as part of BSAC’s Conservation efforts.
The Boat Years: Adventures on the Water
A large extension was built at the rear of the club house specifically to accommodate CADSAC’s pride and joy: a Humber Atlantic rigid inflatable boat with an outboard petrol motor, all mounted on a sturdy trailer. The club also owned a tractor, which was kept at Trimingham and proved invaluable for launching the boat at various dive sites.
The boat opened up incredible opportunities for diving expeditions. In a memorable incident, the tractor was “borrowed” by the Peterborough Sub Aqua Club, who managed to get it stuck in the sand at low tide. When the tide came in, the tractor was completely flooded—a costly lesson in the importance of timing and tide tables.
However, disaster struck in 1998 when the boat house was broken into and the Humber was stolen, never to be recovered.
Rising from the Depths: A New Vessel Takes Shape
Determined not to let theft end their diving adventures, CADSAC members rallied together. The insurance payout, combined with generous contributions from the membership, funded the purchase of a replacement vessel: a Halmatic Pacific22 mounted on a twin axle trailer.
Officially registered as “Corby Diver” with the radio call sign MKGZ7, the boat featured an inboard diesel engine. It was used mainly to dive off the east coast, initially launching from Weybourne. Here, the club used a Caterpillar tractor belonging to local fishermen, with an understanding that CADSAC divers would help recover lost pots and nets—a perfect example of the mutual support that characterises the diving community.
Over time, Southwold emerged as the preferred launching site. The harbour provided excellent access, and the boat spent many summers moored there, becoming a familiar sight. Club members embarked on countless diving expeditions, exploring the numerous shipwrecks scattered across the seabed. Fresh lobster frequently found its way onto the BBQ menu after successful dives, much to everyone’s delight.
Evolution and Adaptation: The Modern Era
By 2018, the reality of declining boat usage led to a practical decision: the Corby Diver was sold. Rather than let the space go to waste, the boat house underwent another transformation, this time being converted into storage facilities and changing rooms to better serve the club’s evolving needs.
The club’s equipment also evolved over the decades. In 2006, the diesel compressor was declared unfit for purpose, and CADSAC borrowed a small electric compressor from L&W compressors at Woodford. Two years later, in 2008, funded by a generous loan from a member, CADSAC purchased a Bauer Mariner Petrol Compressor, which was subsequently converted to run on LPG. The compressor underwent another transformation in 2023, being converted to electric power—a fitting upgrade for a club that has always been willing to adapt and modernise.
Community Connections and Recognition
CADSAC has always been more than just a diving club. The Corby Highland Gathering, held annually on the sports field outside the club house, provided perfect opportunities for community engagement. CADSAC members regularly set up displays featuring photographs of their diving adventures, along with fund-raising events during these gatherings. The exposure attracted new members year after year and strengthened ties with the local community.
When the Gathering relocated to Westfield Park, CADSAC’s direct involvement came to an end, though the club’s reputation in the community remained strong.
In 2006, CADSAC members formed part of a Joint Forum that successfully persuaded Corby Council to include a 4-metre deep area in the plans for the new swimming pool—a crucial feature for diving training that might otherwise have been overlooked.
Support and Growth Through Grants
Over the years, CADSAC successfully bid for and secured several substantial financial grants that helped the club develop and thrive:
The boat house extension itself was built with funding from a Sports Council grant, providing the secure storage that made boat ownership practical.
In 2005, a Sport for All grant of £5,000 paid for six full sets of scuba equipment specifically for training purposes, significantly enhancing the club’s ability to bring new divers into the sport safely and properly equipped.
The following year, 2006, proved particularly fruitful. Corby Borough Council donated £1,400 for boat safety equipment and £300 for an overhead projector to enhance training presentations. Additionally, a National Lottery grant of £4,850 funded both equipment purchases and instructor training, ensuring the club could maintain high standards of dive education.
Pioneering Training Excellence
CADSAC has always prioritised quality training and staying at the forefront of diving education. In 1995, the club achieved a notable milestone by becoming among the first BSAC clubs in the country to have an Open Water Instructor. This certification allowed CADSAC to conduct training and assessments in open water environments, providing students with more realistic and comprehensive diving experiences.
Adventures Around the Globe
The club’s adventurous spirit has taken members far beyond the waters of Corby. CADSAC has organised memorable dive trips to an impressive array of destinations, including Malta, Spain, Bali, the Red Sea, South Africa, the Scilly Isles, the Skelligs, Mull, St. Kilda, Scapa Flow, the Farne Isles, Lundy, Swanage, Plymouth, and Porthkerris. Each expedition strengthened bonds between members and created lasting memories of underwater exploration.
One trip, however, got off to an unexpectedly dramatic start. On 13th February 1993, 23 CADSAC members set off to Israel to dive the Red Sea. Their bus to Gatwick Airport became stuck in snow, causing the entire group to miss their flight. Undeterred, they managed to reach their destination the next day—arriving on four separate flights. The mishap became part of club lore, proving that CADSAC divers weren’t easily discouraged from their underwater adventures.
Solemn Service to the Community
The club’s diving expertise has occasionally been called upon in tragic circumstances. In 1994, CADSAC members recovered the body of a drowned swimmer from Tansor gravel pits, providing closure to a grieving family and demonstrating the serious responsibilities that sometimes accompany advanced diving skills.
In Remembrance: Fallen Members
Like all diving clubs, CADSAC has faced the heartbreaking reality that underwater exploration carries inherent risks. Three CADSAC members have tragically lost their lives while diving, and the club honours their memory.
In 1995, Jackie Snaith drowned while diving the M2 submarine in Lyme Bay. It is thought this was the result of removing her mouthpiece at the surface—a stark reminder of the importance of following safety protocols even when a dive appears to be complete.
In 1998, Bob Foster went missing while diving off the east coast. He was using one of the first rebreathers available to sport divers—cutting-edge technology at the time. Despite extensive search efforts, Bob was never found. His loss highlighted the additional risks that come with pioneering new diving technologies.
In 2010, Maurice Bell died after suffering a heart attack while diving in the Sound of Mull. His passing served as a reminder that diving places significant physical demands on participants, and that maintaining fitness and health awareness is crucial for all divers.
The club remembers these members not only for their tragic losses but for their contributions to CADSAC and their passion for diving. Their memory continues to reinforce the club’s unwavering commitment to safety, training, and looking out for fellow divers.
Looking Forward
Through decades of change, challenges, and triumphs, CADSAC has remained a testament to the enduring spirit of its founding members and the dedicated divers who have kept the club thriving. Today, CADSAC continues to welcome anyone interested in the sport of scuba diving, delivering quality training alongside a great social scene. The club stands as proof that with commitment, community spirit, and a love of underwater exploration, a small group of determined individuals can build something lasting and meaningful.
John Maughan
November 2025