Sophie pledges to get more women into scuba diving

STRETTON diver Sophie Heptonstall has pledged to get more women to take the plunge after becoming BSAC’s youngest ever National Diving Officer.Sophie, 35, is only the third woman ever to be appointed to the key role as the British Sub-Aqua Club’s NDO in its 61-year history, as well as being appointed as an ambassador to spread the “This Girl Can” message.
One of Sophie’s key tasks, alongside fellow ambassadors Megan Judd and Pat Fung, will be to encourage more women to get involved in scuba diving and snorkelling, for which BSAC is the UK’s governing body.
Sophie said: “There are a lot of women divers. Some of our clubs have large numbers of female members, but our current overall percentage of female members in 27%, so we would like more women to join up.
“Really this is about challenging perceptions. The perception of diving in the UK is that it’s cold and difficult, it’s not like the visions people have of the crystal clear waters you see on holiday.
“People also have a perception that diving is a macho thing, and they think it’s a bit daunting for a woman to do.
“The BSAC This Girl Can Dive Ambassadors scheme is about dispelling some of those myths.
“Yes it is colder here in the UK, but we dive in dry-suits and the technology behind diving kit is so good that it combats a lot of the cold.
“Scuba is a sport where people can be equal, it’s not about physical strength. It helps to be able to swim, but you don’t have to be an amazing swimmer. Once you’re in your suit and underwater it doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman.
“It’s also a sport that’s got a lot of diversity, there are so many different types of dives you can do. Technical diving in particular is really challenging and great for developing new skills, from the advance planning, to the adrenaline of the dive itself.”
Sophie was part of a specialist team of 10 that took part in a First World War centenary dive, to lay a wreath and raise a flag on the wreck of a First World War ship the HMS Pathfinder, off the east coast of Scotland last year.
BSAC Chief Executive Mary Tetley said: “We’re so proud to have Sophie as our new National Diving Officer.
“She’s among our most experienced divers, and really is the embodiment of what the This Girl Can campaign is all about, so we’re delighted she’s also agreed to head up our This Girl Can Dive ambassador scheme.
“A lot of women out there can probably relate to what Sophie says about the perception of scuba as a macho activity, and I only hope people will be inspired by her message to come and have a go.”
BSAC is made up of 120 dive centres and more than 1000 family friendly and sociable clubs, run by volunteers. It represents more than 30,000 scuba divers and snorkelers and welcomes new members from complete beginners upwards.