National Diving and Activity Centre

Dayhouse Quarry in 2000, before its use as the diving centre

The National Diving and Activity Centre (NDAC), was a facility located at a large flooded quarry at Tidenham, Gloucestershire, England, near to the border with Wales at Chepstow. It was previously Dayhouse Quarry, a source of limestone, which was flooded in 1996. The diving centre opened in 2003,[1] and closed in 2022.[2]

Facilities

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An inland scuba diving site, it was popular with technical and free divers due to the depths of up to 80 metres (260 ft),[3] with underwater attractions in depths ranging from 6 metres (20 ft) to 76 metres (249 ft). PADI and IANTD training was provided on site, and many local BSAC and SAA clubs used the site for training.[4] All freediving at the NDAC was undertaken through SaltFree Divers.[5]

The site also included an inflatable assault course,[clarification needed] bungee jumps, paddle boarding and a 700 m (2,300 ft) long zip wire.[2]

Closure

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On 18 February 2022, the NDAC issued a statement via social media saying that the site was permanently closed.[6] The following month it was reported that the site had been purchased by a company seeking to develop equipment to enable people to live deep under water.[7] In September 2023 it was revealed that the site had been acquired by The DEEP Institute[8] and renamed DEEP Campus.[9]

In media

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In 2017, the NDAC was a location for the Netflix folk horror film Apostle starring Michael Sheen and Dan Stevens.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "The National Diving and Activity Centre". Poole Diving. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Popular National Diving Centre on Welsh border closes for good". WalesOnline. 20 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  3. ^ "The National Diving & Activity Centre". Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  4. ^ "National Diving & Activity Centre". Visit Monmouthshire. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Saltfree". Saltfree Divers. Archived from the original on 12 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  6. ^ Rosemary E Lunn NDAC: Top UK dive training quarry closes XRay Mag, 18 February 2022.
  7. ^ Carmelo Garcia, "National Diving Centre's new owners plan 'research pods for underwater living' in £150 million scheme", Gloucestershire Live, 9 March 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022
  8. ^ "DEEP opens its doors to underwater research in Tidenham". Forest of Dean District Council News. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  9. ^ Weinman, Steve (4 September 2023). "Secret's out: UK dive-site now 'DEEP Campus'". divernet.com. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  10. ^ https://id-id.facebook.com/NationalDivingAndActivityCentre/photos/apostle-is-a-new-horror-from-netflix-and-it-looks-absolutely-terrifying-as-well-/2240916865953411/ [user-generated source]
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51°39′20″N 2°38′50″W / 51.65556°N 2.64722°W / 51.65556; -2.64722


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