A NEWPORT club that brought scuba diving to South Wales has celebrated 60 years of underwater exploration.

Newport Sub-Aqua Club (SAC) was formed in 1956 and was the very first club to be launched by the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) in South Wales.

As the club is celebrating six decades of history, it has released a gallery of historic photos from an anniversary exhibition depicting its diving adventures from the past up until now.

Over the years the club’s members, of which there are currently 20, have travelled across the globe in search of exotic sealife and wreck mysteries.

And in the past the club has also assisted the Severn Area Rescue Association in providing marshalling and safety boat cover for Newport’s waterfront festivals.

Among those to join in the anniversary celebrations was former member and author George Edmunds, who grew up in Newport.

The 75-year-old said: “They were great days when I think back. There was lots of sea life to see. We used to go out from a cove in Martin’s Haven where we’d collect scallops and sea urchins. In later years, we would go further afield.

“We also had to make our own suits in those days. You couldn’t buy diving suits, you had to make your own.”

Newport SAC regularly visit Duffryn Comprehensive School’s pool for shallow training, and for deeper diving they use Monmouth Pool and the National Diving Centre in Chepstow.

Current diving officer and instructor Dave Summers, has been a member for more than 35 years after joining in early 1980s.

He said: “I always wanted to go underwater. Diving is one of those sports which you just have to do. And once you start, whenever you see water you just want to be on it or under it. It’s a completely new world.”

The diving instructor said the club was proud of its history and was firmly focused on securing its presence for another 60 years.

“The club remains positive and committed to the promotion of diving and diving related activities and attracting new members,” he said.

“It’s a great achievement to reach 60 years. We were the only club in South Wales at one point and kicked off diving in South Wales.”

Newport SAC organises social club nights at Newport Cricket Club, and helps other charity causes, including the annual duck race down the River Ebbw in aid of the mayor’s charities.

For more information on the club visit www.newportbsac.com