DEFENCE DIVING SCHOOL GYMNASIUM OPENING CEREMONY

Published: 30/01/2012

RearAdmiral David Steel CBE recently visited The Defence Diving School (DDS) in Portsmouth to officially open a brand new gymnasium. Whilst functional fitness programmes for the training of Royal Navy and Army divers have been developed by DDS, the need for a more suitable facility to host training was recognized; as the DDS’s small cardio-vascular suite and over-crowded weights room was not practical.  An under-used garage was identified as the prime location for the new facility.  With a high roof, shutter doors and existing power connection, conversion to a new gymnasium was relatively straightforward.This new gymnasium will now facilitate both the professional and personal physical development required to meet the unique and high demands of military diving. 

The overall project was driven forward by Leading Physical Trainer Pete Sapey. He also created, from scratch, the new fitness training programme for career course divers.  LPT Sapey will be drafted to HMS NELSON in February. During the opening ceremony a demonstration was carried out to show the physical nature of military diving and displays were set up showing the equipment used and the weight of them. This was followed by Bridge Troops dynamic functional fitness display to the theme tune of Rocky. The display detailed the unbelievable fitness level of the divers. 

The traditional diver resilience training (mud-runs and in-water circuit training) will continue, utilising this new capability, programming will be such that student divers will be even better prepared to meet the vigorous physical demands of diving. Longer-term benefits include fitter, healthier and less injury-prone sailors and soldiers.

The project has cost approx £30k: 50% of which was funded by Maritime Warfare School (MWS) Public Funds and the remainder from TEMERAIRE, EXCELLENT and a donation from the RNRMC (£6.5K).  RNRMC fundraising co-ordinator, Ms Hillary Jukes witnessed the grand opening and added how delighted she was that RNRMC could help and play a vital role in making sure health and fitness levels were kept to a high standard.