Discover Diving - the future.....
30th July 2022
There are some changes afoot at Discover Diving.
The last few years have been very different to how we have run the business for years. In March 2020, as the Covid pandemic hit, we moved our charter bookings to 2021 and spent the rest of 2020 having a fantastic summer of diving with locals. By 2021 the border situation hadn't improved enough and so the charter bookings were moved to 2022, and we did more local diving again. This year we have managed to get all our visitors over and we have 4 more charters left to run.
However, charter bookings for 2023 are way below the level that we would normally expect. The reasons for drop are clearly the inflation rate, rising energy costs and lasting impacts of Covid. People are unwilling to put down a deposit on a trip for next year, when they know that they need to get through the winter and heat their homes and afford food and fuel. Discover Diving went through the last recession and we know it's hard to survive in the leisure industry when everyone's discretionary spend is restricted.
So, Steve has applied for and accepted a post with the DoI as the skipper of the Tarroo Ushtey, the harbour's work boat. This will be a full time role for him. Michelle was elected to the House of Keys last year and has spent less time diving as a result. We have therefore taken the decision to stop chartering Endeavour (apart from a couple of exceptions) in 2023.
What does this mean for you?
Hopefully, you won't see too many changes. The key difference is that we won't be available all the time. The shop sign that says if the door is closed or you need us out of hours will be updated to this effect. This means you will need to plan when to get gas fills, shop for equipment etc. No last minute phone calls or demanding that we open up when we are closed. During the weekdays we will be shut unless there's a dive or snorkel planned when we will open for a short period to support that activity.
Discover Diving is 18 years old this year, but isn't going away, just adapting to the times. We have run Endeavour charters since 2009 and it's been immense fun as well as hard work. We have welcomed hundreds of divers to come and explore the Manx waters with us and we thank them all for choosing us for their diving holiday, but times are a changing just a little.
Our website will be updated over the next few weeks to reflect these changes,
30th July 2022
There are some changes afoot at Discover Diving.
The last few years have been very different to how we have run the business for years. In March 2020, as the Covid pandemic hit, we moved our charter bookings to 2021 and spent the rest of 2020 having a fantastic summer of diving with locals. By 2021 the border situation hadn't improved enough and so the charter bookings were moved to 2022, and we did more local diving again. This year we have managed to get all our visitors over and we have 4 more charters left to run.
However, charter bookings for 2023 are way below the level that we would normally expect. The reasons for drop are clearly the inflation rate, rising energy costs and lasting impacts of Covid. People are unwilling to put down a deposit on a trip for next year, when they know that they need to get through the winter and heat their homes and afford food and fuel. Discover Diving went through the last recession and we know it's hard to survive in the leisure industry when everyone's discretionary spend is restricted.
So, Steve has applied for and accepted a post with the DoI as the skipper of the Tarroo Ushtey, the harbour's work boat. This will be a full time role for him. Michelle was elected to the House of Keys last year and has spent less time diving as a result. We have therefore taken the decision to stop chartering Endeavour (apart from a couple of exceptions) in 2023.
What does this mean for you?
- Discover Diving will remain in business. The dive centre will be open at weekends only from September 2022. We will still provide equipment servicing and supply all your diving equipment needs.
- Diving and snorkelling will run mostly in evenings and weekends.
- Endeavour will still be available for diving and snorkelling and we are keeping Cubby for use in the winter too. We will continue to service and maintain our boats to the same high safety standards as always.
- The focus of Discover Diving will shift a little to be more club focused. We will continue to provide dive training, diver skill development, instructor development and diving and snorkelling adventures but focused on you, our club members. Let's face it, it will be one of the best resourced dive clubs anywhere!
- We will have only 2 intakes a year for basic diver training, one at the end of September and another at the end of January. Other courses and training will be run to suit club members.
Hopefully, you won't see too many changes. The key difference is that we won't be available all the time. The shop sign that says if the door is closed or you need us out of hours will be updated to this effect. This means you will need to plan when to get gas fills, shop for equipment etc. No last minute phone calls or demanding that we open up when we are closed. During the weekdays we will be shut unless there's a dive or snorkel planned when we will open for a short period to support that activity.
Discover Diving is 18 years old this year, but isn't going away, just adapting to the times. We have run Endeavour charters since 2009 and it's been immense fun as well as hard work. We have welcomed hundreds of divers to come and explore the Manx waters with us and we thank them all for choosing us for their diving holiday, but times are a changing just a little.
Our website will be updated over the next few weeks to reflect these changes,
Wetsuits, hoods, boots and gloves
We have a large range of 3mm and 5mm wetsuits in children's and adult sizes in stock, as well as wetsuit shoes and boots in different styles. 3mm wetsuits are perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking and playing at the beach. 5mm wetsuits are ideal for snorkelling. We also stock dryrobes, masks, fins, snorkels, gloves and hoods to get you ready for your sea adventures. We are happy to provide a fitting service as well as advice on equipment.
We also have a number of activities that you might want to consider.....
We have a large range of 3mm and 5mm wetsuits in children's and adult sizes in stock, as well as wetsuit shoes and boots in different styles. 3mm wetsuits are perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking and playing at the beach. 5mm wetsuits are ideal for snorkelling. We also stock dryrobes, masks, fins, snorkels, gloves and hoods to get you ready for your sea adventures. We are happy to provide a fitting service as well as advice on equipment.
We also have a number of activities that you might want to consider.....
