Academy Journal
Dive Deeper
Training stories, UK diving advice, conservation notes and course inspiration from the Diving Academy team.
399 Stories, 16 Topics — New Field Notes Every Week
Latest storyCommunityLearning to Dive as a Family: One Summer, New Divers17 Aug 2026 · 7 min readJust in
GearWetsuit or Drysuit? Choosing Gear for UK Quarry Diving10 Aug 2026 · 7 min read
ConservationInvasive Species in UK Quarries: What Divers Should Know3 Aug 2026 · 6 min read
Training5 Tips for Your First Open Water Dive29 Jul 2026 · 6 min read
Diver TipsMaster Your SMB: The Skill Every Diver Needs This Summer27 Jul 2026 · 6 min read399Articles & Field Notes
16Topics To Explore
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Courses
Mermaid Academy: Reading's Fin-tastic New Way to Dive29 Jun 2026 · 6 min read
Discover Mermaid: Try Mermaiding at Diving Academy22 Jun 2026 · 6 min read
Discover Freediving in Reading: Your First Breath-Hold20 Apr 2026 · 7 min read
EFR Instructor: Teach Life-Saving Skills, Grow Your Career13 Apr 2026 · 6 min read
Easter Holidays: The Perfect Time to Kick Off Your Season6 Apr 2026 · 6 min readThe Full Archive
CommunityLearning to Dive as a Family: One Summer, New DiversEvery summer, whole families sign up to learn to dive together. Here's what that experience actually involves, and what changes once it's done.17 Aug 2026 · 7 min readRead Article →
GearWetsuit or Drysuit? Choosing Gear for UK Quarry DivingWarm surface, cold thermocline: choosing between a wetsuit and a drysuit for UK quarry diving is trickier than it looks. Here's how to decide.10 Aug 2026 · 7 min readRead Article →
ConservationInvasive Species in UK Quarries: What Divers Should KnowSummer quarry season brings UK divers face to face with signal crayfish, killer shrimp and zebra mussels. Here's what to know and how to help.3 Aug 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
Training5 Tips for Your First Open Water DiveHeading into your first open water dive? Here are five things every new diver should know before descending.29 Jul 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsMaster Your SMB: The Skill Every Diver Needs This SummerDeploying a surface marker buoy looks simple until it isn't. Here's how to actually get it right, the common mistakes, and how to practise safely.27 Jul 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
TravelCozumel Diving Holidays: Mexico's Caribbean Reef ParadiseWarm water, drift-diving reefs, and turtles galore - here's what makes Cozumel one of the world's best dive holiday destinations, and how to plan your trip.20 Jul 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
UK DivingFarne Islands Diving Guide: Grey Seals and Cold-Water ThrillsEverything you need to know about diving the Farne Islands, Northumberland - seals, wrecks, visibility, logistics, and how to train for it in Reading.13 Jul 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
AcademiesInside the Professional Academy: From Diver to Dive ProThinking about turning diving into a career? Here's the full Professional Academy pathway at Diving Academy, from Divemaster through to Instructor.6 Jul 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
CoursesMermaid Academy: Reading's Fin-tastic New Way to DiveCurious about mermaiding? Discover what Diving Academy's Mermaid course involves, who it suits, and how to book your first tail session in Reading.29 Jun 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
CoursesDiscover Mermaid: Try Mermaiding at Diving AcademyCurious about mermaiding? Our Discover Mermaid course is a fun, accessible taster in the pool, no scuba or mermaid experience needed to start.22 Jun 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
UK DivingWorld Oceans Day Meets Peak Season for UK DivingWorld Oceans Day falls right in the middle of peak UK diving season. Here's what to expect, what you'll see, and how to mark the day as a diver.15 Jun 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
CommunityComing Back to Diving After Years Away From the WaterThinking about returning to diving after a long break? Here's what actually changes, what to expect, and how to rebuild your confidence safely.8 Jun 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
GearWetsuit or Drysuit? Choosing UK Dive Gear for SummerWetsuit or drysuit? A practical, honest comparison to help UK divers choose the right exposure protection for training and diving through summer.1 Jun 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
ConservationWorld Turtle Day: Why Every Diver Should Care About Sea TurtlesCelebrate World Turtle Day by learning how sea turtles are faring worldwide, how divers can help, and where to plan an early summer trip to meet them.25 May 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsHow to Deploy an SMB Properly: A Diver's Skills GuideMaster surface marker buoy deployment with our practical guide to common mistakes, safe technique, and what instructors actually look for.18 May 2026 · 7 min readRead Article →
TravelDiving Gozo and Malta: A Complete Mediterranean GuideClear water, dramatic limestone caves and the famous Blue Hole - here's what to expect diving Gozo and Malta, and how to plan your own diving trip.11 May 2026 · 7 min readRead Article →
UK DivingStoney Cove Dive Guide: Leicestershire's Best Inland SiteEverything you need to know about diving Stoney Cove in Leicestershire - depths, visibility, wildlife, facilities, and how to plan your trip.4 May 2026 · 7 min readRead Article →
AcademiesInside Our Freediving Academy: The Full Training PathFrom your first breath-hold to instructor level, here's how our Freediving Academy pathway works, who it suits, and what makes it different.27 Apr 2026 · 7 min readRead Article →
CoursesDiscover Freediving in Reading: Your First Breath-HoldCurious about freediving? Try our Discover Freediving taster session in Reading this Easter and find out what breath-hold diving really feels like.20 Apr 2026 · 7 min readRead Article →
CoursesEFR Instructor: Teach Life-Saving Skills, Grow Your CareerThinking about becoming an EFR Instructor? Here's what the course covers, who it genuinely suits, and how it fits your professional diving pathway.13 Apr 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
CoursesEaster Holidays: The Perfect Time to Kick Off Your SeasonEaster half-term is a natural reset for diving. Here's how to use the two-week break to start training, refresh skills, or plan your season ahead.6 Apr 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
CommunityGetting Back in the Water After Years Away From DivingThinking about returning to diving after a long break? Here's what actually changes, what stays the same, and how a proper refresher rebuilds confidence.30 Mar 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
GearWetsuit or Drysuit? Choosing UK Kit for Spring DivingDeciding between a wetsuit and a drysuit for UK diving this spring? Here's how water temperature, budget, and dive frequency should guide your choice.23 Mar 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
ConservationCoral Bleaching Explained: What Every Diver Should KnowCoral bleaching is reshaping reefs worldwide. Learn what actually causes it, how to spot it underwater, and what divers can genuinely do to help reefs recover.16 Mar 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsSMB Deployment: The Skill Every Diver Should MasterMaster SMB deployment with this practical guide covering why it matters, common mistakes, how to practise properly, and what instructors look for.9 Mar 2026 · 6 min readRead Article →