A Bradford diving club is planning to cause a splash to mark its 60th anniversary of exploring life beneath the waves.

Bradford Sub Aqua Club is celebrating its Diamond anniversary year and to mark the milestone is organising 60 dives in 60 locations and offering 60 ‘free try’ dives for people in the Bradford district who would like to have a go at the sport.

The club, which was formed in 1957 by 19 men and four women, used to operate from Wyke Swimming Baths and members used to meet at local pubs for social events.

It has grown considerably since its humble beginnings and now has 72 members.

Members now use the pool once a week at Tong High School, off Wakefield Road, Bradford and have a clubhouse at The Fin Inn, Queensbury.

Members no longer have to go to other locations for social events and now enjoy facilities on site. The Fin Inn was purchased in 1974, and gradually the group moved upstairs and laid out the bar area. In 1983 a major renovation was carried out with the help of a Sports Council Grant and a brewery loan.

Members have seen equipment and boats change dramatically over the years.

They have changed from inflatable boats with a sectioned wooden floor known as ‘soggies’ to Rigid Inflatable Boats, with inflatable tubes and a fibre- glass hull mounted with powerful engines. These improvements in equipment mean members can cover greater areas of sea in more comfort and safety, dive deeper, stay down longer and ‘fin’ faster.

The club has dived at sites all over the British Isles and organises trips abroad for both divers and their families.

This year alone members will visit a number of sites on the south coast, the Farne Islands, Scapa Flow – to see the German battleships scuttled there – Pembrokeshire, North Wales, St Abbs Marine Reserve and the Red Sea.

Last year Bradford Sub Aqua Club was recognised for having trained the youngest person to become an ocean diver through the British Sub Aqua Club. Rebecca Judd braved the cold February waters to gain her qualification within weeks of her 12th birthday.

The club is a member of the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) the governing body for diving in the UK.

One of the advantages of being a part of the BSAC is it enables members to meet and dive with other clubs throughout the UK.

Bradford Sub Aqua Club spent a week diving with members of Torbay dive club last year and has had a number of trips with members of the Newton Stewart club in south west Scotland.

Members are offered the opportunity to gain other skills associated with diving, including first aid, oxygen administration, chart reading, understanding tides and weather and boat handling.

Diving officer Mick Barraclough, who has been involved with the club for 20 years, said: “Every diver has his or her own personal reasons for diving but all of them have one thing in common which is the pleasure of experiencing the underwater world.

“This is an unfamiliar and exciting environment full of new discoveries and new encounters.

“Diving is an exciting sport – and yet is safe for all the family.

“The underwater world is home to a multitude of colourful marine life including sharks, turtles, rays, dolphins and a bewildering array of fish.

“The UK is one of the finest places to enjoy the world beneath the waves and marvel at the creatures of all sizes that call reefs and wrecks their home.”

Contact Mick Barraclough, on 07575 253311 if you are interested in getting involved in taking up one of the 60 try dive places.

Visit bradfordsubaqua.co.uk for more information about the club.