Published: 26 August 2026
By: Andy Ostridge
The pool that was bought especially for the event
Recently Boston Sub Aqua Club and Lincoln Sub Aqua Club spent a week at the Poacher International Scout and Guide camp on the Lincolnshire Showground where 10.700 Scouts and Guides were on site. Nearly 700 participants had a try dive in a pool specially bought in for the event.
When the young people arrived for their try dive they watched a safety briefing and were then kitted up in scuba gear before they entered the pool. Once they were confident in breathing under the water they were encouraged to find different coloured plastic shapes that were on the bottom of the pool which made up pictures that were on laminated cards.
On Wednesday evening a session was held for a group of special needs children who really enjoyed this experience. Two of the Mums shed tears of delight when their children (for various reasons) not only got into the pool but actually went under the water looking for the coloured shapes. Another participant enjoyed it so much that his Mum contacted his local diving club and joined him up to start his adventure into the wonderful world of Scuba Diving.
The Jersey / Guernsey Guides were the first groups in the pool, they were then followed by children from all over Europe.
Every person who did the try dive left the pool grinning from ear to ear. It was enjoyed by many who returned for another go. It was such a successful event that as a club we have been asked to attend other Scout Camps. Here’s hoping to bring the joy of Scuba Diving to many more Scouts and Guides. A huge thank you to all the Instructors who were in the pool and also the volunteers who helped with the logistics of transporting equipment and filling cylinders.
Article by Caroline Relton.
