Katherine loves rib diving, even though she gets sea-sick. She enjoys diving in British waters, although that’s not to say she wouldn’t snap up the chance to go somewhere exotic! Katherine started diving while at university and joined LUEC in 1993. Initially slow to get her qualifications, Katherine is now an Advanced Diver, Open Water Instructor and Assistant Boat Handler. For Katherine, diving needs to have a purpose; she doesn’t want to be the person who just reports back “I saw some metal and a fish!”. As such, Katherine has trained to be a SeaSearch Surveyor. She is always on hand to give guidance and instruction, as well as being more than happy to pass on her broad knowledge to Club members old and new.

Diving Officer: Sarah

With in excess of 300 dives behind her, Sarah is a qualified BSAC Dive Leader and is an Assistant Instructor. Cold water does not put her off and she can often been found at Stoney Cove over the winter months. Whilst Sarah is a huge fan of the Red Sea and all that it has to offer, by far her favourite dive experiences have involved the seals colonies in The Farnes. As the Branch’s DO, Sarah is key to the safe and smooth running of the Club. Sarah is responsible for ensuring that all diving and training activities are conducted safely and within the standards of member qualifications.

Training Officer: Doug

Doug has been diving in excess of 30 years, having had his first underwater experience whilst a student at the nearby University of Leicester. A number of his original pieces of kit are still in use today! Doug is a BSAC Advanced Diver and is a qualified Open Water Dive instructor. He has a preference for wreck dives especially around the Scottish and southern English coastlines. As the Branch’s Training Officer, Doug assists the DO by overseeing and co-ordinating all aspects of diver training. This includes pool, open water and theory lessons required for each BSAC diving qualification and any skill development courses required.

Secretary: Kirsty

Jackie joined LUEC in 2021 keen to explore the underwater world following the pandemic. As a qualified Sport Diver and assistant instructor, Kirsty can always be found at Stoney Cove encouraging our other divers into the water, whatever the weather!

Kirsty has excellent communication skills - with members and seals alike and has a reputation for being very organised, especially with planning dive trips. As the Club’s Secretary, Kirsty manages all formal communications and is the link between LUEC and BSAC.

Kirsty is also responsible for our social media pages on Facebook & Instagram, as well as managing our website, emails & club Spond app. She takes an active role in coordinating the regular quarry diving, managing to attract divers from other BSAC clubs to the dive days too!

Treasurer: Jurek

Good-old Jurek. So famous, he’s only known by his first name. He collects the money and we try to spend it as fast as we can! He should be made Chancellor of the Exchequer as, somehow, he always manages to get our subs out of us and still leave us smiling. Jurek has been a member since 1783 and is unquestionably a safe pair of hands. As the Branch Treasurer, Jurek keeps strict financial accounts and manages membership subscriptions and payments. At the end of the Club’s financial year, Jurek prepares the final accounts for members approval at the AGM.

Boat Officer: Tony

Tony is an Advanced Diver and Open Water Instructor. He controls the logistics of our trips and, in conjunction with Club member Simon Brookes, he keeps our RIB “Vixen” in tip-top condition. Tony has many years of diving and sea-going experience (a Navy Submariner no less) and can be relied on for sound advice.

His diving trips are legendary and are often oversubscribed.

Snorkelling Officer: John

John is a nationally qualified snorkel instructor. In addition to delivering BSAC approved snorkelling training programmes, John delivers the first stage of our scuba training programmes to ensure that our trainees can both fin and control their breathing properly. John also heads up our very strong snorkelling group that has absolutely no desire at all to mess about with all that “scuba nonsense!”

Equipment Officer: Nigel

LUEC is in a fortunate position where we have a vast array of snorkelling and scuba equipment that we are able to loan to our members. Nigel is responsible for the maintaining the equipment to ensure that it is well looked after and where appropriate, we comply with health and safety requirements. Members are encouraged to speak with Nigel at a Club Night to discuss their equipment needs. Long term loans are common and we offer very reasonable deposit and hire financial plans.