Billericay Sub Aqua Club

My fellow divers, I am writing to advise you of an exciting development in diving. Whilst at Plymouth and Weymouth recently, a number of us have been exploring the potential for a new approach to club diving trips and I am able to assure you that over a bottle or two of Merlot and Chardonnay the idea seemed quite appealing.

This idea advocates a more hedonistic approach to the planning of dive trips and has become known as fluffy diving.

However, do not be misled by the terminology. Fluffy diving is not necessarily easy diving. There is a school of thought that fluffy diving could be the anti-dote to technical diving but I do not necessarily subscribe to this view. The distinguishing characteristic of fluffy diving is not the difficulty of the dive. In fact, fluffy diving can be anything one wishes it to be.

So, exactly what is fluffy diving?  Fluffy diving takes a more holistic approach to dive trips and considers all aspects of the diving experience. The easiest way to explain the concept is perhaps by way of illustration, so I will describe what hopefully will become a popular way to plan club dive trips.

Subject to suitable conditions, the ideal plan would be to dive late Saturday morning (but any morning would be fine if there is sufficient interest). Depending on circumstances, one or two dives are undertaken. The divers then retire to a comfortable guest house, change in a leisurely fashion, meet for aperitifs, dine at a suitable restaurant and enjoy the evening.

The technical aspect occurs the following morning when the divers 'fluff' diving and go home. It is as simple as that.

The benefits of fluffy diving, hopefully, are apparent so there is no need to dwell on these. However, it is perhaps worth mentioning that Professor Li Ar formerly of Ho Ax University has conducted some research into fluffy diving and claims that there have been no reported cases of decompression illness, as a result of 'fluffing' a dive. What better reassurance could one wish for?

There are a number of club members who have expressed an interest in fluffy diving – Mike Smith, Jenny Greenwood, Jo Waters and Matt Oliver-Mayho in addition to oneself.

It may yet be possible to plan an inaugural fluffy dive around the Kyarra dive out of Swanage on 6 August. This dive has an 11.40am leave from Swanage Pier which would be ideal for the fluffy diver. In keeping with fluffy principles the dive would be followed by an evening meal and a fluffing of diving the following day. One could go for a walk on the Downs or simply avoid the M3 traffic congestion on the way home. Of course, some may prefer to dive the second day but strictly speaking this would not be fluffy diving in its purest form.

So, is anyone interested? I think Jenny would buddy up with someone and accompany Matt and me to convert the trip to fluffy status.

The principles of fluffy diving have not been developed fully at this stage so if you wish to influence its future direction do not hesitate to become involved.

Over time, we will need to establish a structured approach and elect a FDO (Fluffy Dive Organiser) and a RO (Restaurant Officer) but that’s for the future. I have already been asked whether Fluff Leaders will be appointed, but again, this will be a matter for the future.

Fluffy diving is open to all grades. For example, technical divers may find fluffy diving an ideal way to relax from the rigours of deeper diving. Ocean divers may find fluffy diving an agreeable way to build their diving experience. Fluffy diving can be tailored to needs and preferences. Fluffy diving welcomes non diving partners/friends who will be able to participate fully in the social aspects of the dive trip. Longer trips can be accorded fluffy status, provided the final day is fluffed. This is generally the case for Red Sea live-aboard trips so these will likely qualify automatically.
The training and qualifications required for fluffy diving are quite straightforward and may be conducted informally (see example question below).

So, let's ensure 1620 becomes leading edge and the only dive club in the country to offer a full range of diving from fluffy to technical.

Tempted?  You jolly well ought to be!

Yours fluffily and pass the Chardonnay,


Alan Fitch


Example test question for fluffy diver grade.

The most important aspects of a club trip are:

a)    the dive
b)    a refreshing glass of chilled chardonnay after the dive
c)    an enjoyable meal
d)    comfortable accommodation
e)    all of the above